In its eighth year, Ellacure Restaurant has never been better.

Tucked away in a quiet part of Bruce in Canberra’s north close to GIO Stadium Canberra, the restaurant feels like a best kept secret only you and a choice few know about. Open 5 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner it is a true suburban gem that on the Thursday night we visited was packed full of diners.

With an Italian inspired menu and an interior that has fresh quirky details, the atmosphere is comfortable and modern all at the same time.

After a chat with Head Chef Daniel Perrott and Manager Bec Kennedy, the So Frank team sat down to a dinner feast sampling some of the super tempting menu items.

To Start: 

Rosemary & sea salt pizza crust served with a trio of house made dips  – the dips change regularly and we each had a different favourite, and on the night I single handedly ate all of the olive tapenade.

Entrée: 

Twice cooked pork belly, apple and mint salsa – perfect little bite size portions, very filling.

Pasta and Risotto:

House made Roast beetroot and ricotta gnocchi, asparagus, sage, gorgonzola – we all oohed and aahed when the beautiful purple gnocchi hit the table.

Mains: 

The Duck with Kipfler potato, butter braised leek, mushroom jus was absolutely delightful. For us it was upstaged by the dish of the night,“Terry the Trout”. A gorgeous whole Rainbow trout partially deboned, stuffed with pumpkin, spinach, mushrooms, leek and pine nuts, wrapped in pancetta, pan seared and then finished off in the oven served with a gorgeous lemon butter sauce.

Due to the availability and because Ellacure only use fresh ingredients – “Terry the Trout” is not on the regular menu but makes an appearance on the specials board whenever Head Chef Daniel can get his hands on some gorgeous fresh rainbow trout. It is like no dish I have ever tasted before the delicate flavours of the trout beautiful balanced with the stuffing and the crunch of the pan fried pancetta is just magic and the lemon butter sauce pushes it over the edge into sublime.

It turns out the So Frank team are not the only ones in love with “Terry”. Ellacure dining regulars often call up ahead of their reservation and enquire if “Terry” is on the menu.

Dessert 

Dessert tasting plate which at $22 is great value allowing a taste of a little of everything from the dessert menu – house made sorbet, Lemon pannacotta, Churros with spiced apple & berries, Sticky date and walnut pudding plus Raspberry and coconut crème brûlée, biscotti and a bit of cheese with fruit.

To Drink

La Senda Tempranillo (Castillo La Mancha, Spain)

The only item we didn’t try on the menu was the pizza but I have a few events to attend at GIO stadium in the coming months and will definitely be bringing my resident pizza connoisseur (otherwise known as my 12 year old daughter) for more taste testing.

Tips

• Definitely read the specials board – they have been carefully curated by the chef based on fresh available ingredients.
• If in doubt ask the staff, they had plenty of great recommendations and steered us in the right direction for our dinner. They were all warm and friendly and will quickly let you in on all their restaurant favourites and make you part of the fold.
• Bookings are recommended.

Ellacure Restaurant and Bar

2/21 Battye St

Bruce ACT 2617

http://www.ellacure.com.au

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Saturday: Open 7.30am to late

Sunday & Monday: Closed

*The So Frank team dined as guests of Ellacure Restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality however all opinions are our own.