Tags
ACT, Australia, Bicicleta restaurant, canberra, dining with friends, Eggplant, Gnocchi, Polenta, Vegan food
A Canberra Italian restaurant serving delicious vegan dishes
Isn’t it funny, I live in a small city and; having lived here for nearly fourteen years and have never been to Bicicletta Italian Restaurant (which my ‘foodie’ friend Jane had told me about several times)…but last month that all changed…
I arranged a pre-Christmas dinner with girl friends I have known for over thirty-five years. We all joined the same employer way back in 1983. Unfortunately two girls could not make it but the remaining three and myself allowed us to catch up on all the gossip of life. Even though I have now retired we still keep in contact and only one of the girls is still with the same organisation…although she did leave for many years to run a hotel in the country. But back to our dinner… Bicicletta Restaurant serves locally sourced food and its menu has several vegetarian and vegan options. In this location, there are several restaurants and a few residential complexes who share a communal vegetable and herb garden. I loved this little area; so beautifully maintained also with an ‘interesting’ statue and small gardens and pathways for local residents to enjoy.We sat outside in the courtyard with a view inside the restaurant through large windows.The courtyard is great for the warmer months with lush greenery and coloured chairs and umbrellas. In late Autumn and Winter, blankets are supplied to keep your legs warm.I loved the look of two vegan items on the menu so decided to try both an entree and main course. I chose the eggplant dish for entree which was deep fried with a balsamic glaze, polenta chips and a small amount of rocket. This was an incredibly delicious meal…really too big for an entree but I was not complaining. I loved it!My friends shared the Pane, Olio E Balsamico which was a selection of breads; sourdough, baguette and brioche served with butter, aged balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil [forgot to take a photo].
For my main course I ordered the Gnocchi Da Giardino; house made pumpkin, potato and ground herbed gnocchi with roasted baby beets, broccoli florets and wild mushrooms in spinach and a vegan herb pesto sauce. Another incredible dish – so [so] good.One of my friends also ordered the gnocchi but hers included a topping of crumbed goats cheese.
My friends then chose a range of dishes including the Capesante; pan seared scallops with romesco sauce, green apple tartare with lime and salmon caviar.Also the Ravioli Di Maiale Arrosto; house made ravioli stuffed with roast pork, apple, potato and thyme in a creamy apple, rhubarb and white wine sauce finished with rocket, toasted walnuts and aged balsamic. And finally the daily risotto dish with wild mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, rocket and freshly shaved parmesan. I thought all the meals looked so appetising and were beautifully displayed. But in relation to our friendship, no matter how different our lives are now, this group of friends is still very special to me and I always enjoy catching up with them over a meal.
Are We Adults Yet said:
That eggplant dish looks incredible!
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes it truly was amazing. I ate nearly every bit.
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Gaz said:
I remember eating there some years ago Sue and enjoyed it very much.
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Emma Cownie said:
Oh that all looks delicious. I enjoyed the garden statue too. I wasn’t expecting that!
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Little Miss Traveller said:
How lovely Due that you still keep in touch with your friends and meet in such beautiful restaurants. One if my closest friends lived in Australia for a few years in her early 20’s and returns every few years to see everyone. It’s so nice she managed to keep in touch as there were no emails to make it quick and easy then. She arrived in Sydney on New Year’s Day for four weeks, and will gradually move round to Noosa and finally Melbourne as she has friends now living there too. Jane is a keen tennis player and lover of the game and is spending two days at the Australian Open which she will love.
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reocochran said:
So nice to catch up with old, treasured friends. Savoring a meal in a local untried spot was a bonus!
Each dish has it’s beauty and tempted my tastebuds, Sue! So, “rocket” is a kind of parsley or spring greens?
I think the two favorites were the sound and appearance of the eggplant dish and the stuffed pork raviolis. Mmm! Hope you will find many exciting places to eat, spend time with friends and explore in 2019.
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Sartenada said:
Wonderful. Happy new year 2019.
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vinneve said:
Wow! it looks very delicious alright! I like the ambiance too and yes I got curious about their name “bicycle” we actually say it in PH “bisikleta” different spelling but same meaning and similar pronounciation 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ah good to hear Gaz. It’s still good.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Emma.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
How nice to hear this Marion. Wonderful your friend Jane does this. Thank you so much for sharing.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hi Robin. Thank you so much again for stopping by. Rocket is like a lettuce used in salads or as a garnish on top of the meal. I have used it with parmesan cheese shavings/beetroot and walnut in a salad.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much. All the best to you too for 2019.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ah thanks for that interesting information Vinneve. Always good to hear about different spellings and words in other languages.
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Amy said:
So wonderful to enjoy these delicious dishes with your friends. 🙂
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sileas said:
I love the way how you all get together over a good meal. Now I live far away from my friends but I can’t wait to do the same…
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It definitely was Amy
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yeah doesn’t matter your relationship status it is always great to catch up with girlfriends J.
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frejatravels said:
the food looks good, I am hungry again now….
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Sunshiny SA, Kavitha said:
Sounds like you had a great time over good food. Great treasured memories
.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Must admit food was sensational at this restaurant. As always thank you for following my posts.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes it’s true. Good friendship and of course good food!!
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Sunshiny SA, Kavitha said:
Agreed Sue. Youve inspired me to arrange a get together with my friends.
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frejatravels said:
you welcome Sue. Both of us a foodie and love food:)
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ah that’s lovely news.
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