What do you want from your pub food? Fiddly little entrees or plates that cover half the table? No. You simply need generous servings of familiar food – with just a little savoir faire to keep the culinary-curious satisfied.
The Civic Pub has found the perfect balance.
With a fantastic daily selection, and fresh Sydney Rock Oysters appearing on plates from Thursday to Sunday, there really isn’t a bad time to pop in and peruse a menu that is perfect for enjoying with a couple of friends, watching a game on the big screen or simply kicking back with a couple of drinks.
Given the friendly and casual feel of the Civic Pub, it comes as no surprise that sharing plates feature heavily on the menu. Of particular note is the Terrine de Campagne that is made for a collection of friends to sit around and enjoy. What do you suppose the influence might be there?
It’s a marvellous spread created by the culinary team, with French influences shining clearly through the combination of Cognac and port that has marinated the chicken, bacon and pork for 24 hours, prior to being turned into a terrine. The accompanying array of cheeses and spreads offers a cavalcade of flavours to pick and choose. The non-Francophiles can think of it as ‘meatloaf’ and, while this is certainly a close relation, would be selling it short by a long way.
The Soft-Shelled Chilli Crab is always a welcome dish. The bright-green lime segments contrast nicely with the thin slices of chilli, and perform a similar function on the palate. The crispy tempura batter allows the crab to do the rest of the talking, making for the perfect meal to sit with a schooner of beer. Mind you, the salad is there if you feel the need to stray back to the straight and narrow.
Bienvenue! The kitchen strikes again with the Basquaise Pie. Chicken, capsicum and onion are mixed with the creamy gravy, and even the garlic-and-parsley potatoes speak to Gallic gastronomy. As pub food it works a treat and will leave almost no one hungry.
As delicious as all that is, it’s hard to go past a top-grade cut of beef, and the Angus Scotch Fillet – weighing in at a respectable 380 grams is the perfect choice. As with all good cuts, the meat is the primary focus, with little decoration other than some mash and green veggies. The char-grill style adds a little bit of bite and crunch. It’s quality meat served medium-rare and, um…. very well done!
For le grande finale, the Crepe freshens the palate with lemon and Cointreau. It’s a fantastic way to finish, and really brings home the friendliness and simplicity that marks The Civic Pub’s dining experience. It’s food that matches the earthiness of Braddon’s traditions with the adventure and excitement of its development in to one of Canberra’s premier dining precincts.
Essentially, it’s simple and accessible pub food, just not as we know it.
