If you haven’t already been to First Edition Bar & Dining at Novotel Canberra, you are definitely in for a surprise as it does not look like your typical hotel restaurant. Following a refurbishment of the first-floor mezzanine space, the place has been transformed. With comfortable chesterfields and velvet lounge chairs, the mood and styling are one of an old world reading room full of quirks and interesting details, perfect for winter dining.

Couple the cosy atmosphere of the restaurant with Canberra’s most premium cold weather ingredient; the truffle and you are in for a great meal! First Edition is proudly honouring this change of season thanks to their creative Executive Chef, Jennie Tressler. Available for a limited time only, Tressler and her team have developed  a range of exceptional truffle inspired dishes showcasing their delicacy.

From the beginning, First Edition has promised to support local producers and farmers and they have stayed true to this. Located within the outskirts of Canberra lies the ‘Blue Frog Truffle’, a family run truffle farm. Owners Wayne and Lanie, alongside their son Justin harvest the celebrated delicacy twice a week from mid June through till the end of August.

Tressler and the team from First Edition have created a handful of dishes in celebration of the pungent and earthy Blue Frog Truffle,  exploring various cooking methods to make the most of this outstanding produce. From Wednesday the 27th of June 2018, First Edition guests have the option to taste a unique truffle dish each week for the subsequent four weeks.

First off the ranks is the creamy Truffled Risotto, zucchini blossom and pecorino cheese topped with a poached quail egg. Followed in week two by a Truffle Infused Vodka Gravlax with crystal plant and saltbush finger lime. Straight from the farm, in week three, the Chateaubriand with asparagus, black truffle mousse and naked wild mushroom is a must try.

The very beautiful Truffled Risotto

Only after an indulgent snack? First Edition is also offering shoestring or sweet potato fries with truffle infused mayonnaise. To finish the truffle extravaganza with a bang, and for those with a taste for something more sweet, comes the most unique creation on the menu; White Chocolate and Black Truffle Fondant with fresh berries.  Don’t fancy a meal? Try First Edition’s very own Truffle Martini, with truffle infused vodka.

We popped in to try the Truffled Risotto packed with zucchini blossom and pecorino cheese topped with a poached quail egg and fresh shavings of truffle, the dish is not only beautiful but a comforting taste of winter indulgence. It made a great pairing with the First Edition’s very own Truffle Martini, with truffle infused vodka, olives and shaved truffle. We are definitely looking forward to the next few weeks of warming up and making the most of Canberra’s very best winter produce by trying more of the tempting truffle dishes at First Edition Bar and Dining.

First Edition’s very own Truffle Martini. Image supplied

What you need to know:

First Edition Bar and Dining is open seven days for breakfast from 6:30am to 9:30am Monday through Friday and 6:30am to 10:30am on weekends and public holidays. All day dining is available from 11:00am and dinner from 5:30pm until 9:30pm.

*Sophia enjoyed her meal as a guest of First Edition Bar and Dining.