The Artisan

I’m often asked for ideas on where to take someone for a special occasion, and, while the possibilities are endless, I usually can’t go past waxing lyrical about Sage. However – finally! – I’m able to say I’ve found a restaurant which I think is just as good as Sage.

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Truffled brie at Mt Majura Vineyard

For all my love of Canberra wineries, I’d never been to Mt Majura Vineyard. And, despite enjoying a truffle degustation at Benchmark Wine Bar, I felt I hadn’t quite had my truffle fix. So, you can imagine hearing that Mt Majura was offering truffled brie as part of the Fireside Festival more than piqued my interest!

Poachers Pantry

It starts off simple enough: a friend and I are playing host to an old friend of ours from uni, and we’re keen to show off the best of our region to her. We’ve planned our Sunday around Fireside Festival events – our first stop will be Poachers Pantry for their ‘Music by the Fireside’ event – and I’m in charge of the booking. Easy done – or so I think.

Truffle Degustation at Benchmark Wine Bar

It’s a typical cool cold Canberra evening in the middle of truffle season when my friends and I descend onto classy Benchmark Wine Bar (near the Novotel and bus station on Northbourne). Benchmark Wine Bar has had truffle degustations each Tuesday of the past few weeks, but the menu’s changed each time; we’ve no idea what to expect from our four courses.

Courting Courgette

I won’t beat around the bush – our standard four course dinner at Courgette took 3 HOURS. It’s the key impression I’ve taken away from my experience. Sure, there was superb food, lovely wine and a decent ambience, but for years to come, all I’m going to remember is that it was slo-o-o-ow.

Comparing Canberra to Europe

It’s been mentioned to me that Canberra “doesn’t even compare” to Sydney. Even though we all know people who say such silly things are wrong, I reckon it’s probably going to be seen as a pretty big call to do a post comparing Canberra to Europe of all places. But after a 5 week absence while I was in the northern hemisphere (hence the lack of T1 posts!), I’m happy to report back on a selection of a much wider array of things which Canberra simply does equal to or better than Europe.

Snow (just an hour from Canberra!)

As a born and bred Queenslander, there’s not a lot that gets me more excited than the possibility of seeing snow. I’d heard rumours before that snow could fall quite nicely up in the Brindabellas and having been up Mounts Franklin and Ginini in May, was keen to see how the scenery had transformed.  Having taken my trusty steed Pedro (a Suzuki Swift) up previously, I knew the road was quite dangerously marked with potholes. So, in true T1 style, I begged a friend with a 4WD to take us up for the day… and we weren’t disappointed.

Give me some of those Perisher Blues…

* This post was by T2, a co-author of In The Taratory from 2011-2013. *

While many complain about a lack of things to do and see here in the nation’s capital, one of Canberra’s draw cards is its proximity to the ski fields. Yes, I do realise that I’m writing for a blog aimed at promoting experiences in Canberra – but the famous Snowy Mountains, located in Kosciusko National Park, are close enough. A mere 2.5-hour drive south of the border will put you right on the doorstep of two of Australia’s largest ski resorts: Thredbo and Perisher Blue.

T1 reviews The Bridge Between at Gundaroo Colonial Inn (Fireside Festival)

The ACT and surrounds’ annual Fireside Festival has always seemed to me to make the usually bleak arse-end of winter (aka August) a little more enjoyable. Frustratingly, the many enticing events have usually been well booked out by the time I’ve kicked myself into gear.  This year of course was no different, but by the last weekend in August there were still a few events which seemed a) decent and b) available and— crucially—c) other friends decided to go to one and organised me.