A beautiful dining experience at Monster Kitchen and Bar in Canberra.

Placed amongst Canberra’s cultural centre, Monster Kitchen and Bar winds gracefully through the ground floor of Ovolo Nishi hotel. A sensory pleasure, the artistic touches and old world vibe are conducive to relaxing… In an effort to soak it all up, I am fashionably early so decide to sample the cocktail list.  The “Rose Petal” reads like a treat and I am not disappointed when a sweet but strong and delicate splash of pink sits in a glass in front of me. A fresh lychee to boot! The staff are subtle, warm and attentive. 

Moving through to the dining room, I am taken to a table next to the window and beside the fireplace, atmosphere heaven!

The Dining room is awash with tasteful yet bright artworks and signature crystal chandeliers. Monster Kitchen does a great job of catering to what seems to be special occasions and also intimate affairs. A chat to the waiter teaches me that the art in the room gives nod to Australian immigration. It is a pleasure to talk through the wine list with him and now I have a very impressive local winery Ravensworth Riesling in my hand. 

With local and seasonal produce prepared and designed for sharing, I am excited for the spring menu in front of me. 

My first taste of the zucchini stuffed flowers with smoked mozzarella, pesto and radicchio, is up there with one of the best I’ve ever had (and I married an italian so I have had a few!)

Matched perfectly with the riesling is the next entree, of asparagus and smashed egg salad with capers. My dining companion and I are left wanting to try it all so with advice from the lovely waitstaff, we decide to share our mains. The “tomorrows catch of the day” arrives as a succulent cod fillet with an olive salsa salad, so divine it would be rude not to sample another fine wine to compliment it. The steak frites of wagyu rump cap is as juicy as it is delicious, and the petite salad is the perfect dash of freshness to accompany it.

Given the experience so far, it makes sense we sample desert. The churros and  salted chocolate sauce, are the melt in your mouth type exquisiteness that it sounds like. Although it is the warm chocolate chilli tart with raspberry yuzu sorbet that melts my heart! 

A beautiful dining experience, the music and conversations around us are perfectly toned so we can enjoy our own.