Yes, I use the word "lucky" as I really like Canberra and a trip anywhere is worth celebrating in my opion. I had a few cafes earmarked for the trip but due to windy, wet weather and busy conference days I only made it to this one - Mocan and Green Grout.
Mocan and Green Grout (I have NO idea what that name means by the way) is located in what I guess you'd call a "new part of town" - New Acton. There's a few shiny new buildings in the area and this is where you'll find this cafe...just look for the cafe garden out the front.
The cafe is a little bit hipster whilst at the same time being a little bit rustic and a little bit eclectic. There's lots of wood panelling about and lots of interesting bits + bobs to look at whilst you wait for your food to arrive. They have some...interesting seating in this cafe, so if I was here for a long haul I'd be wanting to grab one of the few proper tables rather than the little built in stool where I eventually found a perch. I'm lucky that my bum is no wider than it is as if it were I'd not have been able to squeeze into the little spot I found free.
Even though it's freezing AND raining AND windy during my visit to Canberra I decide to order an iced-coffee anyway. It's certainly a generous size drink and I like the coffee beans scattered on top which is something I've noticed a lot in Melbourne cafes too.
With conferences there tends to be a lot of over-eating and mindless snacking on mints (blergh - how gross do you feel after a day of conference mints!) so I wanted something small but tasty for my brunch.. Enter the smoked salmon bagel with whipped lemon ricotta and salted capers ($9.00).
Of course I wouldn't be Miss Piggy if I didn't break my own resolve to eat "small + healthy" so I thought it might be nice to settle in with a delicious chocolate brownie whilst I waited for the rain to ease up so I could wander back to my hotel. They served it slightly warmed and oh.my.lord it was GOOD!
Mocan and Green Grout is at 1/19 Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton South, Canberra.
What's your general opinion about food in Canberra?
ReplyDeleteI think if you look at Canberra for what it is...a small regional city...you'll be impressed. I was. People who go in wanting a BIG city with rocking cafes like Melbourne are going to be disappointed. There are a good handful of good cafes with good coffee - and that's all you need really.
ReplyDeleteThey have everything I would need (barring lots of Thai/Viet).
I think the food is good - and some is great. There are also very good wineries...if wine is your thing.
I have this cafe on my list of places to visit, Mel. Thanks for the heads up. And next time you're in town, if you have time, let me know and we'll catch up for coffee and cake xo
ReplyDeletelooks like another great little cafe (yay for canberra!)
ReplyDeletehaven't been to Canberra in FOREVER but man, the food looks about 10,000 times better since I was last there. [thehungrymum.com]
ReplyDeleteYum - nothing like a warm brownie to console yourself when it's raining!
ReplyDeleteI must prefer eating brownies when they're warm anyways. If I'm eating them in I do ask for it to be zapped in the microwave. I didn't think that was normal.. haha
ReplyDeleteI've only just recently gotten into brownies (I know, right). That one does look delicious.
ReplyDelete