lancefan

Off to Canberra for the weekend, and are planning to visit a couple of wineries. I'm partial to clonakilla, but wondering if any canberrans or visitors to canberra would like to give their favourites on the murrumbateman side?

We're also looking for a winery out there to lunch at, either at a cafe/restaurant or preferrably somewhere that has picnic facilities (looks like several do, including doonkuna & brindabella hills). Bearing in mind we'll have 2 babies and a toddler with us, if we're eating at a cafe/restaurant, it will probably need and an outdoor area and be not too fancy.

Also, while i'm at it, we're staying on west row and want to go to dinner on that 'strip'. been to mezzalira - just wondering if anyone's been to anise or dijon and how do they compare (there'll be no kids for the dinner).

lancefan

surely neil_oz has some canberra wineries to recommend??

Neil_Oz

Sorry, lancefan - how did I miss that one? Get back to you soon. (You're driving? From which direction?)

johhj_au

Hey Neil...will be in canberra for a weekend shortly...cam you recommend warm,economical accommodation for friday/saturday night?

Not B&B!

lancefan

will be going from Civic - plan to head murrumbateman way as we are picking up another friend from Charnwood.

JohnJ, we're staying at the Quest apartments (in Civic) www.questcanberra.com.au this weekend, I'll let you know how they are.

Neil_Oz

lancefan, I'm not actually much of a winery person, although I like their product. In the last couple of years I've only lunched at two local wineries and in each case neither their wines nor their food were particularly good value.

However, I've had good reports of two in particular. One is Madew Wines, which is about 20 minutes north of Canberra on the Federal Highway, opposite Lake George (http://site.madewwines.com.au/).

The other is the Kamberra Wine Company and their restaurant, the Meeting Place - on your right as you enter Canberra down Northbourne Avenue. This site may be helpful: http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/bo...sp?Rest_ID=521

We've been meaning to visit both, but something always seems to get in the way and/or we take the easier option of a city restaurant (and bottle shop). And to compound my sins I don't know how kid-friendly they are. Sorry!

Neil_Oz

And John ... this is not my day. One of the downsides of being a resident is that you don't spend time in your city's hotels (other than the bars, that is). But you might find it worthwhile to check out Olim's Hotel in Ainslie, which is pretty central, down the road from the War Memorial and which I remember getting a pretty positive review in the SMH. Wotif might have a good deal on one of their better rooms. Depends what you want to spend, of course - there's always the Hyatt, which has a lot of character but of course charges Hyatt prices.

There's a good selection of apartments too - I can at least rate the localities if that's more to your taste.

Neil_Oz

lancefan, forgot to mention that at this time of year an outdoor area can be problematic - lately we've mostly had mild, sunny autumn weather, no probs, but yesterday and today haven't been great.

lancefan

Thanks Neil_Oz, I'm knitting madly each night to get the woolies ready for the weekend!

Neil_Oz

No worries. I wouldn't be too worried. It's certainly brisker than Sydney (if that's where you're coming from) but no snow like the Blue Mts. Actually the temps have been much the same as Melbourne and Adelaide the last couple of days, although I realise that might be cold comfort (pun intended). At any rate, it beats Hobart hands down, as any ex-Tasmanian here will tell you. If that helps.

johhj_au

Neil...
looks like we will be at the Brassey in Barton...partner at a seminar and I am coming down friday am.Have got a reasonable rate for the two nights

What do you reckon?

Neil_Oz

John, I don't have any first-hand reports of the Brassey but my guess is, it should be fine - it appears to be a nice non-"standard" hotel in a quiet area close to the Parliamentary Triangle and not far from a lot of good dining options in Kingston and Manuka. Enjoy your stay.
- Neil

lancefan

just thought I'd post my weekend update.

Stayed at quest apartments in Canberra (on west row in the melbourne building) in civic. location was great. had 1 br deluxe apts, so had lounge, kitchen, wash maching dryer, and sep bedroom (and balcony). only slight issue was they were a little noisy, given it was a weekend. I'd say great place for during the week, but be prepared for your usual friday/sat night noise at weekends.

breakfast at milk and honey in town, then picked up some picnic supplies from dobinsons bakery in civic.

went to 2 wineries, doonkuna and clonakilla. only tasted one at doonkuna as we were really there to use their pinic tables. nice spot, under some trees. then to clonakilla for some lovely wine. wasn't disappointed and great chat with the owners. some great stories!

dinner that night at sabayon on west row, which was great. sabayon is the sibling of augergine and courgette - similar style but not quite as expensive. sydney friends all impressed with food and service - all commenting that service over the weekend in canberra better than sydney, with thoughts that sydney service generally a bit 'too cool for school', where the canberrans actually seemed to care!

breakfast sunday at tilleys in lyneham (an old haunt) and as usual busy but it's a great place - we booked a table, which was a smart idea.

then to the old bus depot markets which was as usual a treat, then back up the highway to sydney.

really is a shame more people don't visit canberra - it's a great place for a couple of days, there's so much to do and particularly good if you have kids.

Neil_Oz

Glad you enjoyed your weekend, and that the weather didn't cramp your style. Yes, Tilleys is a good old standby. I must try Sabayon.