Tags
ACT, Australia, Australian cuisine, canberra, dinner with friends, Green Herring Restaurant, Nicholls
Dinner with Aussie and Chinese friends
I visit a local dumpling restaurant regularly with a friend of mine [Jon] and we have formed a close friendship with a young man [Peter] who is from Sichuan Province in China but studying here in Canberra at university. Lately, we have had dinner with Peter and his girlfriend Katie so Jon and I wanted to take Peter to a restaurant that was typical of Australia.Jon chose The Green Herring Restaurant which is located in a historic village near my home. The restaurant is housed in one of Canberra’s oldest buildings; a 150 year old slab hut. The Slab Hut was built in 1860 in a small town about 100 kilometres from Canberra and was transported to Canberra in 1970 and has been The Green Herring Restaurant for over twenty years. The owner told us that the restaurant still maintains the original construction materials from almost 150 years ago with minor modifications and extensions to provide the necessities for restaurant operations.
We arrived and were shown to our table. The inside of this beautiful building is just as charming as the outside but probably a little too old fashioned for me.
We ordered a bottle of Australian wine but found out Peter doesn’t drink so we ordered him a soft drink. Jon knows the owner of the restaurant having been there several times, so we were lucky to have personal service from the owner that evening. We started off with a cob loaf with roasted garlic butter and balsamic olive oil as well as dukkah focaccia bread with a duo of dips.
For our main courses, I of course, chose non meat dishes [a very nice pumpkin dish] and Jon discussed with Peter the Australian cuisine on the menu and then ordered for them both. They ate kangaroo, Australian prawns, Australian lamb and Australian eye rib fillet…
We also shared a couple of side dishes; beans and toasted almonds and buttery mashed potatoes…
Throughout the evening, it was lovely chatting to Peter and getting to know him a little better; hearing about his family in China and his studies in Australia. He has since invited us to meet his family in China [which we are now doing next month; so looking forward to returning to what I call ‘my second homeland’].
It was then time for dessert and as all desserts contained gelatine, I passed!! But the owner kindly had a lovely little cup of fresh fruit and ice cream prepared for me. Must say the main dessert plate looked pretty good though.All in all a great night of fun conversation which allowed me to practice my Chinese (sometimes successfully)…
Looks like an amazing restaurant..
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What an interesting building for a restaurant Sue. I also love those dumplings. So nice to read you are heading back to China next month, will you also be stopping off in Hong Kong again ? Marion
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Wow! Homey ambiance & lovely foods!
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A lovely read Sue! The building is so charming, it gives me a sense of nostalgia. 😊
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I’ve never heard of the Green Herring. Sounds like a nice place to eat.
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Neat!
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So you are going to Sichuan next month? I’ve never been there!
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All the food looks delicious and oohhh the dessert….. I would love all of those.
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Thank you very much for stopping by.
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Hi Marion. Aren’t you just lovely. The non-stop flights from Sydney to Beijing have recommended so my friend and I will be flying direct with Qantas. We are so excited as just finished our itinerary.
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You have summed up the night well Vinneve.
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Thank you very much Isabelle.
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I hadn’t heard of it before we went either. It’s a very meat orientated restaurant Gaz so think you might like it. Apart from your vegetarian days ha ha.
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Yes spending six days in Chengdu. I have been there before to visit the pandas, Sun bear sanctuary and went up to Jiuzhaigou. Stunning place with its mountains and bright blue waters. Perhaps when baby is older you might mage it there.
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Thank you so much for stopping by.
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Hehe, sounds perfect for me Sue.
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Just seen your post before I go to bed! I just wondered because I’ll be back in HK towards the end of next month and thought there might be a vague chance of a meet up!! Marion
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These dishes are so well prepared and beautifully presented! Great images,!
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Oh what a shame Marion. It will happen!!!
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Thanks so much Amy.
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This all looks and sounds divine! What a delectable tour 🙂
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
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Thank you very much.
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What a surprising place !! I loooove it ! I understand what you mean Sue, for me the decoration looks a bit old too, however I do love the outside of the place and its story and how old the construction materials are. It is unusual that you show us places like this one, but it’s a good surprise. And I must say the dishes look fabulous. It’s great that you get to meet Peter’s family in its own environment too very soon, I look forward to reading about it!
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Thanks for your lovely comment Sophie. We are so alike with the decorations. Xx
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This restaurant looks very cozy and charming – certainly a great pick for showing something “traditional”. Very excited for you that you get to visit China again 🙂
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Thanks J.
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I live right nearby and have always had this on my ‘I should eat there’ list – I think you have convinced me because my stomach is grumbling looking at the pictures!!!
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Great. Hope you enjoy it.
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