Melbourne Building, West Row, Canberra City, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
+61 2 6257 0700.
A well-stocked bar is the first sight to greet diners when they walk into Anise. One of the leading lights on the local restaurant circuit, the restaurant maintains a consistently high standard of food that’s not at all let down by the selection of wine available. A lot of thought has gone into the list, which features an interesting choice of Australian and overseas labels, including an impressive selection of Canberra District wines. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and adept at recommending the best match for your dish (the suggestion of a Stefano Lubiana pinot noir proved a superb partner for the duck confit). Try the signature dish of twice-cooked Gruyere soufflé, the mouth-watering ricotta cassata dessert and the complimentary, freshly baked bread. Located in Canberra’s historic Melbourne building, Anise has a stylish but relaxed ambience, with white linen on the tables, banquette seating along one wall and comfortable chairs that invite diners to linger.
Open: lunch Tue-Fri; dinner Tue-Sat. Licensed and BYO. Mains $28-$33.
Website-CS
Source: Qantas the Australian Way September 2007
Updated: July 2008
Another of Canberra’s best eateries, with a big, bold, wonderful wine list and some excellent contemporary cooking. Ask the talented front-of-house part-owner Justin Kavanagh, to show you her best local wine to match Jeff Piper’s fabulous Euro-style, wine-friendly food.
-ME
Source: Qantas The Australian Way September 2008
One of Canberra’s most consistently excellent restaurants, Anise has a quiet, refined ambience. Owner-chef Jeff Piper offers an inviting menu of modern Australian dishes (with Asian and French influences), while his partner Justin Kavanagh takes care of the floor with aplomb. White linen tablecloths, quality glassware, comfortable, high-backed chairs and muted decor set the stage for beautifully cooked dishes such as teriyaki kangaroo loin with roast eggplant, sesame spinach and wasabi. Piper’s signature dish of twice-cooked onion and Gruyère soufflé continues to delight diners. The restaurant offers a good selection of wines by the glass and an especially impressive selection of Canberra district wines.
Open: lunch Tue-Fri, dinner Sat. Licensed & BYO. Mains $29-$33.-CS
Source: Qantas The Australian Way April 2009