Top 10 Steak Frites: Canberra
A few weeks ago we released a survey, asking the good people of Canberra where they find the best Steak Frites.
Thankfully it appears Canberrians love their Steak Frites – here are the people’s Top 10.
Marble & Grain
Marble & Grain is a modern, European influenced steak house with a warm luxurious interior, located in the 5-star Avenue Hotel. All six steak cuts are served with red wine jus, duck fat potatoes and a range of extras, and are sourced from the restaurants own farm the Travale. The long list of Australian and European wines and extensive selection of spirits and cocktails is a major selling point for the restaurant.
Kingston Hotel
Fondly referred to as ‘The Kingo’ by locals, the warm and rustic venue offers great steak in a casual and timeless pub setting. With twelve steaks to choose from, two different size of frites and fourteen sauces diners are spoilt for choice. Self-proclaimed beer specialists the on tap boutique beers, draught beers and ciders are recommended.
Black Fire
Black Fire is an award-winning Mediterranean inspired restaurant known for its charcoal grilling style and authenticity. The focus of the menu is, unquestionably, meat. All steaks are locally sourced, open fire roasted in a charcoal grill, are grass or grain fed, and dry aged for a minimum of four weeks. A decent wine list, consisting of mainly Spanish and Australian choices rounds out the experience.
RAKU
RAKU is a modern Japanese restaurant, mixing Japanese with modern Australian dining. With a menu ranging from sushi to robust meat dishes, it is an exciting and unique way to enjoy your steak. The steak options of Scotch Fillet and Wagyu Grain-Fed are grilled to perfection and served with a Japanese twist -with the option of wasabi cream. For drinks try the Sake, or the Yuzu Sour cocktail, a mandarin infused gin based house special.
Charcoal
Charcoal is a Canberra institution. The steakhouse is the oldest running restaurant in the city, and with the original interiors it serves up plenty of old-school charm alongside excellent steak. The classic menu serves up charcoal-grilled modern cuts, and classic mains served with timeless sides and sauces. With a menu made up of both nostalgic and updated dishes, with an impressive wine list, it looks like Charcoal won’t be going anywhere for another 50 years.
Manuka Steak House
The warm and casual Manuka Steak House serves up some serious steak frites. With steak as the star of the menu, meat lovers will not be disappointed. The special grill menu is substantial, covering six different cuts, five sauces and all the classic sides. The cheap and cheerful drinks menu covers sparkling, red and white wines, and beers as well as spirits.
Otis Dining Hall
Otis pairs the easy, laid back vibe of a ‘dining hall’ with the delicious and contemporary French menu of a much more formal restaurant. The Otis pepper steak, a 220g aged beef served with delicious brandy jus and Silkwood pepper is a house specialty. The drinks menu includes reasonably priced wine with plenty of options, as well as seasonal cocktails.
Chifley's Bar and Grill
Chifley’s Bar and Grill dining room is classically elegant, set in a newly refurbished glassed-in terrace looking over the Hotel Kurrajong’s gardens. The grill menu includes several cuts of steak served with a range of sides and sauces, the stand out being the onion rings. On the bar side, the drinks list is long and varied. The whiskey bar is an excellent addition, created in honour of the restaurants name sakes favourite drink.
Capital Bar and Grill
The chic and stylish Capital Bar and Grill is an Italian-American Steak House that lives up to the hype. The ten cuts of steak are all excellent and arrive with piles of frites. They range from the cheapest “I only have a minute steak” to the decadent Double Rib-Eye steak recommended to share between four. A long and varied wine list compliments the meals – and don’t miss the delicious cocktails.
Vincent
Vincent is sleek and modern with an unusual set up, where the tables integrate into a bar on the perimeter of the restaraunt, and the ‘scrabble-tile’ menu on the wall takes pride of place. The focus is as much on the wine as the food, as every delicious dish is paired with ‘unconventional’ wines from around the world. The exquisite wagyu steak comes with miso mushroom and hot mustard, giving it a unique twist, with the paired wine enhancing the flavours.
