DETAILSCanberra’s most exciting restaurant, presided over by one of Australia’s leading chefs, Janet Jeffs, together with her team of committed professionals presents excellent Australian cuisine with a radical Asian influence. They say that the ghosts of Old Parliament House wander its plushly carpeted halls after dark. A disquieting thought when sitting down for dinner, but nothing a bottle of 2002 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz or a few martinis from the Ginger Room’s extensive cocktail menu wouldn’t fix. And speaking of extensive, Ginger Room’s wine list is the size of a novella covering everything from Ay to Zinfandel. Not surprisingly, Ginger Room won the ACT Best Wine List of 2007.
Old Parliament House, with its rolling lawns, rose gardens and views across Lake Burley Griffin to the National War Memorial, is perhaps the finest place to dine in Canberra. The exquisite interiors and historic surroundings only add to the unique atmosphere that the Ginger Room’s celebrated owner Janet Jeffs has worked so hard to create. The ever-changing seasonal menu inspired by Australian produce and Asian flavours is the biggest feather in the Ginger Room’s cap. The fixed price menu is reasonable for the quality of service and cuisine and allows for adventurous choices and twists on traditional favorites. To end the perfect evening, save some room for their unbelievable selection of Australian and international cheeses served with tailored accompaniments such as Roquefort with truffle honey salad, and drink a toast to the ghosts of times past.
CHEF JANET JEFFSChef Janet Jeffs has worked with such luminaries as Cheong Liew and Maggie Beer. Having opened her first restaurant in the Clare Valley, lush, country fare is her passion and it shows in dishes like the entree of goose rillettes with muscatel confit and toasted brioche, or the main course of duck pithivier with shiraz-glazed quinces and glazed duck jus. Elsewhere there are strong Asian influences, particularly Vietnamese in the wok-fried king prawns with nuoc cham (a bitey, chilli, garlic and fish sauce dressing). Desserts include the spectacular saffron poached pears and apple sorbet, touched with edible gold leaf. Service is of a consistently high standard and staff can ably assist with the excellent wine list.
THE PRIVATE DINING ROOMThe Ginger Room’s private dining room is designed for gatherings of 10 to 32 people, affording a stylish entrance and relaxed ambience.