Our last meal in Canberra was set to be a great one. If only I hadn’t made a pig of myself and succumbed to the vanilla slice winking at me from the marble table in our hotel room. Allow me to rewind a few hours if you will. Earlier that day we’d visited the Braidwood Bakery and then gone to the Old Bus Depot Markets and then settled our weary selves into Hotel Realm. Booked thanks to the lovely people at Toyota it was a toss up between the Hyatt and The Realm and they had chosen The Realm because of its modernity.
It’s modern indeed with nice touches and I take off my heels and sink my feet into some comfortable padded slippers. In the room there’s no bath, the view is of a construction site, there’s no porter to speak of and the gym and sauna is privately owned so when Mr NQN wants to use the sauna at 4pm on a Sunday like a good Finn he is told that it is shut. The positives is that the room is very nice and modern, they happen to stock Pickwick’s Earl Grey tea which I happen to love, there are complimentary Byron Bay cookie company biscuits and cable stations are great. And for dinner we don’t have to go far except for downstairs which is a winner given how exhausted we are.
So fast forward and one vanilla slice down the hatch we make our way down to the restaurant to meet with Todd from Toyota and his wife Melissa. There’s one other table dining tonight and so we have a booth to ourselves. This is their first time dining with a Foodus Bloggerus and I accepted Todd’s invitation for dinner after asking if they would mind the whole photo taking experience.
Rigatoni with pork sausage, ham hock, tomato, garlic and chili $20.50
Melissa asks “So…do we all swap plates?”. It’s music to my ears as I didn’t want to ask that we swap plates and so we do and we get to try and discuss everything. The rigatoni features enormous tubes of pasta with a soft, texture and slices of a chorizo like pork sausage. The Ham hock is melted within the sauce.
Stinging Nettle and potato gnocchi $19.50
The Stinging Nettle was something that immediately caught our eye as how often do you have verbs intruding on a menu item? The potato gnocchi is soft, the sauce is creamy and stinging nettle is quite good although it’s perhaps less exciting than the name suggests.
Oven Baked Goat’s Cheese Ravioli sage, capers and EVOO $20.50
Melissa’s Oven baked goat’s cheese ravioli is thinly rolled pasta squares filled with creamy goat’s cheese that look to be lightly touch by the pan. it sits on a bed of diced tomato and capers and is topped with deep fried sage leaves.
Risotto of confit of mushrooms finished with black Canberra truffle $24.50
The one thing I just don’t really love is truffle oil. The odour is gasolineish for most of them and when you try actual truffles, you’ll see there’s a world of different between the oil and the actual truffle. Actual truffles are amazing an earthy and almost impossible to describe but the aroma wafts up your nose and into your core and you never forget it. So I’m ever so glad to see finely shaved real black truffle on top of the risotto. It’s delicious and this entree size is about the same size of a main in Sydney.
Three sauces to go with mains: red wine jus, Bernaise and chili jam
The Three sauces to go with mains cover the spectrum of the dishes: red wine jus, Bernaise and chili jam.
Western Australian grain fed lamb rack (Q Lamb) $32.50
We’ve also chosen mains from the Grill and all come served with roasted Kipfler potatoes and a range of sauces: Bernaise, chili jam and red wine jus. Mr NQN’s lamb racks are tender and juicy and I pick up the bones and nibble away ignoring any surprised glances.
Petuna Ocean trout Fillet $31.50
I love Tasmanian Petuna Ocean Trout (the fish Tetsuya uses in his signature Confit of Ocean trout dish). As that dish is my point of reference I am slightly aghast at the size of the fillet I’m facing. And I can tell you the exact size of it : 17cms x 6cms x 4cms. And how do I know this? Because we’ve been renovating and I carry a tape measure around with me nowadays.
Tasmanian Cape Grim Grass Fed MSA Beef Sirloin 260g $32.50
Grass Fed beef has that distinctive look to it and it’s lower in fat so you don’t see so much marbling throughout the fillet. This is soft and tender and one of the favourites for the table.
White River Veal Cutlet $31.50
The European style veal raised in the dairy region of Southern NSW and I particularly like the veal cutlet which is full flavoured and simply prepared with a lovely succulence to it.
Greek Salad
Chocolate Cadeaux with Creme Anglaise and berries $15.50
The chocolate Cadeaux is a n airy and light moussey cake give a tart punctution from the berries.
Frozen Nougat Sandwich $15.50
I particularly liked the Frozen nougat sandwich as it was so creamy although others found it too creamy. Indeed it was, with some parts of the frozen nougat resembling pure, sweet double cream.
Warm chocolate and caramel fondant pudding with vanilla ice cream $15.50
The test, and one which I’ve failed to make is the chocolate fondant. I’ve tried twice with Nigella’s recipe and it has never worked so if I see it on the menu I’ll order it as I know I’ll never recreate it at home. I’ve heard Gordon Ramsay say how a kitchen often makes two of these for each order in case they don’t turn out. This one is fantastic and breaks away to reveal a molten lava centre. The ice cream sits on a creamy caramel ring which bizarrely reminds me of Yogo.
Sorbet and frozen yogurt $14.50
The selection of sorbets are mixed berry, passionfruit and strawberry and of the three the passionfruit is my favourite although I have to admit now I’m way beyond stuffed and can’t really comprehend eating anymore. I could get used to these warming Politician sized meals though.
So tell me, when you go on holidays is the mini bar important to you and what do you usually eat from there?
And in some exciting related news, I have had my story on Formula 1 drivers and their diets published in Toyota’s Driver’s World magazine! 
Needless to say I no longer have fantasies of being a Formula 1 driver.
Konoba
18 National Circuit, Barton, Canberra, ACT
Tel: +61 (02) 6163 1818
Open: breakfast: 6:30-10am (weekendds 6:30am-11am)
Lunch: 11:00-3:00pm (no weekend lunch)
Dinner: 6:00-10:00pm (weekends 6pm-late)
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(That’s a beautful bedroom!)
I’m going to have to try that chocolate and caramel fondant pudding. Yummy!
Congrats on having your article published!
Hi!
I avoid the mini bar at all costs – it’s usually chips (crisps!) soda and other lame stuff. If they stocked quality snacks I would totally pay $15 for a 3 am snack!
ps: I have a great chocolate fondant recipe from Le Cordon Bleu (where I studied). It is home in NYC for the moment, but I can email it to you after the new year if you like!
I know minibars are so overpriced, but every time I see one the kid in me yells “yipppeee!” and I have to just go for it! (I usually go for the nuts.)
The food is all really gorgeous, Lorraine…especially your molten chocolate dessert!
OH boy. That chocolate fondant is so dreamy, I’d eat it right now… and it’s breakfast time here.
I avoid the mini bar. I haven’t come across a really good one though…
Foodgasm….yum!
Enjoy!
Congrats on the article! Love that line about the stinging nettle. I have a killer recipe/method for chocolate fondant, if you want me to show you some time (or would that just be enabling your fondant addiction??)
All the food looks delightful but I really don’t like it when the portions are too big. Taught to clean my plate I always end up feeling ill
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything from a minibar. They’ve always held the usual suspects and I like to go for an exploratory walk and pick up a snack myself.
Yes I too have had trouble with the nigella chocolate fondant- I had exact measurements and exact cooking time and it was just a runny (albeit delicious) mess.
That one looks heavenly
Wow, where do you put all that food Lorraine and still stay slim? I feel stuffed just reading about it. lol The menu and dishes look beautiful and The Konoba ( weird name btw)would give Sydney restaurants a run for their money.
Mini-bars, I never go anywhere near them , outrageous prices when all you have to do is venture outside of your hotel and buy a snack at a fraction of the price. The only time I’d use one if desperate would be for a bottle of sparkling mineral water.
oh! A Canberra restaurant I’ve not heard of before – I must try this – it all looks scrumptious!
Mwhaha the Bakery strikes again.
Much of Canberra is building sites, so come a few years the area around the Realm/Barton/Kingston will be finished and hopefully nicer on the eyes! By that time I probably won’t be here to enjoy it though.
The Fondant looks delicious. I have tried to make these too and I cant seem to get it right. You are on a magazine Lorraine. My family are big fans of toyota so I’ll make sure to get a copy.
Hi Lorraine,
Still enjoying reading your every post!
Thought you might be interested to check out somecreative gingerbread houses, a Finnish newspaper has a competition on. see lukijat.iltasanomat.fi/28/ or if that doesn’t work go to iltasanomat.fi and scroll down. Happy baking and eating!
I definitely stay away from the mini bar. The exorbitant prices help alot. But I love checking out what they have on offer though. And are the servings big in Canberra or what?!
i’m loving the look of that chocolate fondant! tops to you for at least having a go at making one, i’m still reluctant to try for fear of failure. and wow…congrats on the published article!
Congrats on the article! It’s fun to see you spread your wings! xoxo Mum
Congrats on the article =D I’m glad I’m in good company when it comes to gnawing on lamb cutlet bones – it’s where plenty of flavour lies! But I can’t believe you measured the size of the ocean trout fillet =p
I’ve stayed twice at the Realm and the last time was in September. I stayed there that time purely to order that choc fondant via room service!! LOL
I’m one of those stingy hotel guests who remove the contents of the minibar in order to make room for drinks bought inexpensively from the corner 7-11!
A lot of the city based restaurants in Canberra are under siege from construction sites, and/or bad parking – The Ottoman is a notable example (but the food is still amaaaaazing, despite the dreary view). A Canberra gem crying out for some blogger love is Brodburger. Well worth a taste next time you’re here.
P.S I took a pic of that foyer as well
Yum the food looks amazing and the ocean trout is enormous! I always get excited when people offer to share their dishes with me hehe. Your handbag must be getting quite full with the number of things you have in it – first a fork and now a tape measure =P Congrats on the magazine feature!
I never use minibar, though I once work as a minibar attendant. I knew how pricey these are and how hard it is to keep these updated regularly (remove these expired one and replaced with new one).
As these minibar are overpriced (rarely make profit as people keep complaining of not using but been charged though they are using it and the package/can/bottle was in their rubbish bin), I never use it.
I prefer try a new local products which is inexpensive from local supermarket while exploring the area.
Only when I’m so tired, I may be using these minibar as long as it is a familiar one, not a local product, because I know it’ll taste like what I expect. That’s why hotel always stock up familiar coke/pepsi/fanta everywhere.
Yay congratulations on your published article – it was fantastic! I enjoyed it and I am extremely apathetic towards Formula 1, don’t really understand the difference between that and all those Bathurst races they have to be honest.
I avoid the minibar because of the huge mark up they seem to put on everything in there.
That food looks great – simple and tasty. The fondant photo is incredibly drool worthy. I’m a little puzzled by the deep fried sage leaves – I had some deep fried basil at a restaurant a few weeks ago and don’t really understand the point when the fresh stuff is so amazing.
That’s a great story! I still don’t quite believe that car racing is much more than driving around in circles very quickly, though.
Congrats on the article! Brilliant work as usual.
congrats on having your article published!! also exciting, but not quite as much, is that oozing glob of molten chocolate filling. gadzooks.
Yogo, haha!!
I’m not normally a user of the minibar, although when in Bali last week we did use some of the soft drinks to mix with our duty free vodka when we were getting ready to go out!
Congrats about the magazine article!
I loved the fish at the Realm too, though I’m never quite sure about the hotel itself. I’ve stayed there twice now and both times the visits have been memorable. The second time they completely stuffed up my bill, and the first time I stayed there was a party in the room next door and despite calls to reception it went until 3am.
The test will be a conference I am having in the hotel next year. Fingers crossed it works out okay as one wonders how they would redeem themselves if they don’t do a good job with over 100 people!
Hey you were in my town!!
Oh my – that meal looks divine! I can’t even decide which one looks the best! I have been to a number of work functions at the Hotel Realm and they never fail to impress
Hmm minibars – I love checking out what they have on offer – but the price normally puts me off every time!
Congrats on the article!
Oh that looks so yummy. Congratulations on the article, it looks great.
As for mini-bars, I avoid like the plague as they are so expensive. If someone else was paying I probably wouldn’t mind.
Hi Barbara-Oh yes I’d love to see your version-I bet it would be gorgeous!
Thankyou!
Hi La Pastry Chef-Yes that’s true, good quality stuff I’d definitely raid! Oh I’d love that thankyou!
Hi Faith-Hehe as long as they’re not the macadamias huh (as they tend to besomething like $20!
). It was great!
Hi fat mum slim-Isn’t it just!
Yes I wonder if there are mini bar awards out there?
Hi Pan-hehe cool!
Hi Y-Thankyou! We just had to order it
Yes please! And yes enabling is just fine indeed 
Hi Amy-Ahhh yes stopping when you’re full is hard isn’t it! Yes what’s out there is usually better!
Hi sandra -Ahh phew! Good to know that it’s not just me!
Hi Matilda-hehe I take a few bites and then move on! It’s too hard otherwise
Yes I thought it was Japanese at first. Yes that’s the one item that
always breaks me especially as they’re so nice, cold and fizzy!
Hi bells-Fantastic!
Hi Fiona-Yes that will be much more picturesque! Ahh what a shame!
Hi Katherine-I’m in good company!
Oh cool! 
Hi Sisko-Thankyou so much!
Oh they look fantastic, thanks so much for the link! 
Hi Melissa-I know the servings are huge-politician sized
Hi Panda-Thanks! Yes it’s like unmolding a cake from a tin, a knife edge moment! Thankyou
Hi Barbara-Aww thanks mum! You are so great xxx
Hi mlle délicieuse-Thankyou very much!
Yes that’s the best bit isn’t it! I feel bad for people that don’t do it haha 
Of course I did! 
Hi Belinda-haha you are too funny!
Hi jane-Haha I sometimes put in fruit and sometimes drinks or other things I’ve found “outside”
. Ahh cool thankyou so much for the rec!
Hi Belinda-It’s eyecatching isn’t it!
Hi Jacq-Haha yes it was so huge! I it’s great when they do that!
It’s bulging for sure and I need to clean it out. Thankyou! 
Hi Lilia-Oh I didn’t even think of expired items, only old ones! I know most people like Snickers bars and Cokes but they just don’t do it for me!
Hi Alex-Thanks so much!
yes me too, I didn’t understand that it was a sport 
I’m not sure but I did like them 
Hi Jen-Haha I know!
Hi Moya-Thankyou very much!
Hi grace-Thanks so much! Haha I love the way you describe it!
Hi Conor-Haha good idea! Thankyou!
Hi Ellen-Oh no, I hope the conference goes well!
Hi Lisa-Hehe! Oh good to know that the food was good
Yes it’s quite amazing that a bottle of water can be $8-$10 
Hi Jo -Thankyou so much!
Hi MrsDesperate-Thanks so much!
Haha oh well then yes then it’s lots of fun! 
“flood” blogger?
We were there last night – unfotunately we were so disappointed with the service, the meal and the pricing.
The service was rude – we were not welcomed on arrival, my husband’s water glass remained empty the whole meal as the server seemed only interested in fillling mine and we had to walk over to the server to get our bill after failing to get her attention numerous times.
Our food was poor. The Greek salad contained three pieces of feta – nothing like your serving. My lamb was ok, but not at all at a $30something a plate standard. My husband’s medium-well steak was rare and without much flavour. The green beans were missing the advertised eshallots and almond butter.
We didn’t stay for dessert as we didn’t want to reward the restaurant with any more of our hard-earned money.
We walked out $100 poorer and disappointed in what was meant to be a nice night out.
Went to Konoba for dinner today, total disappointment. They changed their menu 2months ago, steak tasted nice but not great and the portion was small. Roasted snapper was wonderful though.
Went to Konoba for dinner today, total disappointment. They changed their menu 2months ago, steak tasted nice but not great and the portion was small. Roasted snapper was wonderful though. Spent $100 on just two mains and walked out still hungry
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