It’s here! Well, kind of…
September 1st was the perfect spring day and gave us a taste of what we can look forward to over the next couple of months: sunny days which stretch into warm evenings and glasses of wine enjoyed outside in the presence of good company. September 2nd – not so much.
While Mother Nature might still be deciding exactly what to do with the weather, here are a few places I will be definitely be paying a visit to as soon as the temperature starts rising.
Ha Ha Bar
102 Emu Bank
Belconnen
Ha Ha Bar is the definition of a celebration destination. Located on Lake Ginninderra in Belconnen, Ha Ha Bar ticks all the boxes for a view. Wide picture windows open onto a large deck where you can sit and watch the sun go down while sipping on one of the many options available from the wine-list.
Ha Ha Bar has what could only be called ‘artsy’ décor. Think custom paintings, polished timber floors and pendant lights which cast a cosy glow over the entire restaurant. Ha Ha Bar is casual yet sophisticated, making the atmosphere very relaxed – perfect for an afternoon drink with friends.
Edgar’s Inn
Edgar’s Lane
Ainslie Shops
Located in the heart of Ainslie, Edgar’s Inn is another place that is best enjoyed when the weather is fine, largely due to the massive alfresco dining area. The menu is very reasonably priced and boasts a selection of classic pub food. For those feeling a little bit fancy there is also gourmet salad and tapas. And the best news? All the wine – except for the Moet de Chandon – is available by the glass.
You know a restaurant is pretty special when it has a night dedicated purely to burgers. Monday nights are burger nights at Edgar’s inn and if that’s not an excuse to leave the house at the beginning of a week, I don’t know what is! Grab yourself a glass of the Bourke Street Shiraz to match the beef version, or something lighter such as the Four Winds Riesling for a chicken burger.
Paparazzi
28 Garran Place
Garren Shops
Feeling like something a little more refined? Grab yourself a glass of vin blanc at Paparazzi – Garran’s cosy and much loved café with a unique charm. Don’t be fooled by its low-key location, because Paparazzi is well worth a visit if for nothing but the décor alone. Images of the most famous celebrities of the 40s and 50s line the walls and the overall feel is very dramatic and glamourous.
Champagne, darling?
Mount Majura Wine
Majura Parkway
Majura Valley
Canberran’s no longer need to travel all the way to the Barossa,. Why would you when we have our very own vineyard right here in the Nation’s Capital, thanks to Mount Majura Wine? Located 9km from Canberra airport, Mount Majura is the perfect place for a great weekend excursion.
Get your gumboots on and bring out your active side by taking a self-guided tour around the vineyards learning all you can about viticulture. All that walking will certainly call for a glass of wine and Mount Majura offers seated wine tastings and are set up so that guests can taste at their own pace.
Hot tip: their 2013 Tempranillo is looking like a classic!
There you go… plenty of options across the city for when Mother Nature decides to shine!
