Pelagic Bar and Dining

LOCATION
Centrally located on London Circuit.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Good seafood restaurants are hard enough to come by, but add in the criteria that they should provide an excellent selection of cocktails, a good wine cellar, and dishes with flair, and the list becomes very limited indeed. However, Pelagic in Civic is ready to top that list.

Every area of the menu is executed flawlessly by experts who are putting their passion and knowledge behind this new restaurant. Cocktails and wine are overseen by Geoff Fewell (formerly of the Julep Lounge and Knightsbridge) and his drinks menu could rival the best lounges in town. The tasting bar is guided by Alex King (Artespresso), whose knowledge of sashimi has him create delectable small plates. And when it comes to the impressive mains, head chef and owner Michael Chatto brings with him all the expertise he has garnered over the years at venues such as Pier in Sydney.

The menu at Pelagic is refined and inviting. The most important rule of seafood is that the quality and seasonality of the ingredients is paramount, and as such, Pelagic’s menu remains as fresh as that day's catch. Current choices that showcase their flair include seared scallops with pickled cauliflower, pancetta, pink peppercorns and basil oil, or for mains, seared kingfish with caramelised white witlof, parsley and cabernet reduction. With the restaurant also open for drinks and small plates until midnight from Thursday to Saturday, there is no doubt this is a venue that is pushing Canberra dining standards.

Elizabeth Hall