Cloistered away from the busy thoroughfare outside, Breeze on Northbourne offers something of an oasis in the city. As a part of the Clifton Suites (serviced apartments playing host to visitors in the Capital) Breeze is also a great place for Canberrans to escape for a lunch or dinner any day of the week.
The extremes of Canberra’s weather seem a world away when nestled in the high-backed and softly furnished dining chairs. Simple table decorations lend a relaxed air to the room, foregoing the formality of fine dining without compromising the quality of the food and service.
Chef Lachlan Fisk has put together a menu that has an emphasis on warm and wholesome food. With Clifton Suites hosting guests on longer-term stays, it’s important the food is welcoming while retaining interest. This is a balancing act that Breeze on Northbourne pulls off with aplomb.
Lemongrass & Chilli Grilled Tiger Prawns come served on a green tea noodle salad. Delicate and juicy, the prawns explode in the mouth with light and zesty flavours. The tea-smoked noodles are certainly a highlight, providing a silky texture to the palate while a slightly bitter flavour that counterbalances the sweetness of the prawns.
For the Quail Adobo, quail breasts are pan seared in garlic, ginger, soy and vinegar sauce and served with garlic rice. It’s a hard temptation to resist – quail is something not often cooked at home – especially when the meat’s succulent sweetness shines through so well.
For fans of seafood, the Grilled Swordfish with lemon butter sauce. Served with broccoli, beans and baked potatoes, a squeeze of lime-juice cuts through the wonderfully indulgent butter sauce. Again, it’s simple flavours combined beautifully with a fish not many would take on in their own kitchen. The delicate swordfish pulls apart without any effort. Roast potatoes and steamed broccoli simply remind you of home.
Meanwhile, a fabulously refreshing salsa sets alive the Herb Marinated Corn-fed Chicken Breast. Along with carrots, snap peas, tomato,, sweet potato mash and a lime & coriander salsa, you’ll delight in the deliciously moist and tender chicken. If you’ve got the appetite, the sweet potato mash is fun and flavoursome.
To finish, you can’t go past the Chocolate Fudge Brownie with vanilla mousse, pistachio gelato, chocolate sauce & whipped cream. The pistachio ice-cream offers a massive flavour hit against the divine chocolate fudge. It’s a fantastic way to finish of a meal of fresh and familiar flavours, leaving you with a feeling of contentment. With that it’s time to go home (or perhaps back to your room at the hotel!)
And really, it’s all that easy (and delicious!). Warm, comforting and welcoming, be sure to make Breeze on Northbourne the place for a meal with family and friends soon.
