HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA: Autumn Delights

Eats, Goes To - Sophia - March 16, 2017

A seasonal change in Canberra for me, signifies a change not only in the temperature and the landscape of the city but in my habits as well. As the thermometer dips and the leaves begin to change into hues of gold, orange, red and brown, there is a change to my wardrobe, my routines and the food I crave and eat.

With the shift in weather, the Hyatt Hotel Canberra award winning team of chefs have today introduced a few new tempting dishes for Autumn at the Promenade Cafe that captures the best of the season:

Cured kingfish, smoked eggplant, black garlic salsa, soy
Sous vide of chicken, morels, steamed leeks, sauce morel
48hrs slow cooked wagyu, carrot and mustard grain, chargrilled brocollini, raw beetroot
Red velvet cake, maple walnut ice cream, berry agar pearls, citrus cream, pop rocks, hot flambéed raspberries

Cured kingfish, smoked eggplant, black garlic salsa, soy

The menu highlights for me was the cured kingfish prepared by Chef Shaji Veetil, the black garlic salsa gave it a warmth that was perfect for the chilly night outside. The dessert prepared by Chef Gerold Gstrein was PHENOMENAL, it looked, smelt and tasted like the season. When we poured the hot flambéed raspberries over the red velvet cake it not only filled the room with drama and the sweet smell of berries but revealed a layer of maple walnut ice cream.

Whether I pop in for a coffee, cocktail, indulgent afternoon tea or leisurely lunch, I always relish any trip to Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Before I walk in the door, the beauty, history & ambience of the building, has already begun working its magic on me. Then the food, drinks and service ensures a fabulous experience every time, including when I came in for the taste test and preview of the Autumn dishes! I am already planning my next visit, which will definitely include ordering the Red velvet cake dessert, and a taste of the autumn cocktails the Speakers Corner is concocting.

Speakers Corner Cocktails – Image by Avon Dissanayake

What you need to know:

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra

For opening hours and bookings for The Promenade Cafe, call 02 6269 8810

http://canberra.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

*Sophia enjoyed the day as a guest of Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Luxury indulgence at Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Eats - Sophia - November 5, 2016

Whether you want to have a tête-à-tête or are celebrating in a group, the afternoon tea buffet in the heritage listed Tea Lounge at Hyatt Hotel Canberra with its sumptuous decor, comfy sofas and chairs is an established Canberra institution (and for good reason).

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

I always love coming to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra! The beautifully manicured front entrance, spacious lobby, filled with the hotel’s signature scent (stop and see if you can pick the fragrance next time you step inside) combined with the art deco architecture strikes just the right ambiance for me.

When I was recently invited there to experience an afternoon of luxury indulgence at FashionxHyatt – an event featuring fashion, high tea and champagne – I knew it was going to be a fabulous day!

Afternoon tea buffet includes a glass of Lerida Estate Zenzi sparkling wine

I walked in and the Tea Lounge was filled with people clinking glasses and filling their plates from the array of savouries, finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and the selection of tempting sweet treats on offer at the afternoon tea buffet. There was an immediate feeling of tranquil luxury & indulgence. The tea buffet looked like a refined combination of Willy Wonka meets Mad Hatter’s tea party – full of beautiful desserts on one side and savouries on the other.

Afternoon tea buffet

I got to meet some of the masterminds behind the iconic spread, Nitin Kumar, Director of Culinary & Gerold Astrein, Executive Pastry Chef. They said even regulars to the buffet will find something new every week, as they rotate the items available and experiment with new flavours. Some items always remain on the menu though (hello cucumber sandwiches & scones).

As I was ogling the buffet, the fashion portion of the afternoon was about to start. At this collaboration between Hyatt Hotel Canberra and Fashfest, Canberra designers Zilpah Tart, Sovata, Karen Lee and Braddon Tailors showcased some of their catwalk looks for 2016. Good things always happen when local creatives get together and this was no exception. The hallowed halls of the hotel made a perfect backdrop to the fashion.

Catwalk Looks – Image by Leighton Hutchinson Photography

I ended the afternoon indulging in some afternoon tea myself. We were set up in a cosy corner in the newly refurbished John Howard Room eating all the delicious food the chefs had imagined and created.

Afternoon tea in the John Howard Room

What you need to know:

Afternoon Tea buffet

Friday 2:30pm to 5:00pm

Saturday and Sunday: 11:00am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:00pm

Afternoon Tea Monday to Thursday – select from the cake cabinet or family style for group bookings

Reservations Are Essential – to book call 6269 8810

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra

http://canberra.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

*Sophia enjoyed the day as a guest of Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Hyatt Hotel Canberra: signature Sunday BBQ roast lunch

Eats - Sophia - April 28, 2016

There are buffets and then there is the Hyatt Hotel Canberra signature Sunday BBQ roast lunch!

Long before you step inside The Promenade Cafe for lunch, you are engulfed by the beauty, history & ambience of the building, and before you know it, it has already begun working its magic on you.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Walking through the beautifully manicured front entrance, into the spacious lobby, there is an immediate feeling of tranquil luxury. The gentle chatter of patrons at the tea lounge accompanied by the sounds of the live piano set the tone for a wonderful afternoon of indulgence.

Beautiful interior of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Purposely arriving a little early for lunch, we wander through the heritage building admiring its art deco accents and symmetry, stopping to chat to the very charming Stuart. He tells us that he has been employed to play the piano every weekend for the past 47 years!. When I asked him what kept him working here for so long, he confided that it is the little unexpected surprises that he loves most about working at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. He told me that just the night before a bride and groom, whose reception was held in one of the ballrooms, were upgraded to stay the night at the Presidential Suite. It is these unexpected surprises and little details that make the Hyatt special.

The beautiful interior of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra

We checked in for our reservation at noon and were greeted and seated immediately. For the duration of our lunch, we were attentively looked after. Our drink order arrived quickly, and we were ready to peruse the buffet offerings. In front of us, we see a generous sumptuous feast featuring classic buffet standards such as an assortment of breads, antipasto, Caesar salad bar and cold seafood station which is brimming with fresh oysters, prawns and Balmain Bugs.

Fresh seafood at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra

What I wasn’t expecting was an amazing selection of sashimi and sushi. But boy the Hyatt delivered! Chef Naveen expertly prepared prawn, tuna, salmon rolls, with what felt like a never-ending supply.

Also, the meats selection wasn’t the usual array of dry roast meats. Instead, there was juicy, melt in your mouth Rangers Valley Wagyu beef (I tasted quite a bit just to make sure)! There even was a whole Black Berkshire pig on a spit!

Melt in your mouth Rangers Valley Wagyu beef

During our meal, we got to meet & chat to Chef Nitin Kumar, Director of Culinary at Hyatt Hotel Canberra. I asked him; what inspired the creation of the Sunday BBQ roast lunch menu? His response; “Farm to table – Market style”. He went on to explain that Australian farmers have a lot to offer and that he loves being able to select top quality produce like Yass Valley chicken, Whole Black Berkshire pig from Byron Bay, Rangers Valley beef and La Barra olive oil.

“We want to create a place for groups to gather and enjoy the weekend together. The Promenade is well known for the seafood buffet, however, our chefs had so much more to offer and we knew we could create an experience for our guests. “

Chef De Cuisine at Promenade, Manoj Kumar Badoni, added that for them, the highlight of the BBQ lunch is the interaction with the guests. Talking about where produce is from and how it is prepared. When asked about recipes, he assured me that they are always happy to share them with guests if requested.

Chef Nitin also let us know that the menu will change every fortnight. “We are fortunate to have a very talented team in our kitchen all having specialised in different culinary techniques. The buffet menu provides us with an opportunity to showcase the team and let them create”.

The Hyatt is globally committed to supporting the World Wildlife Fund in sustainable seafood so they work closely with local suppliers to ensure that they employ sustainable farming methods and that their seafood (like the banana prawns, bay scallops and Sydney and Pacific oysters) is thoughtfully sourced from MSC-certified fisheries.

“We only offer a catch of the day on the menu so that we can serve what the supplier caught that day.”

They support the Canberra regional wine and craft beer industry by providing local choices on the drinks list. “Our team are constantly discovering what the region has to offer and love the seasonal change and the variety this brings”.

Obviously, a buffet meal is never finished unless you finish it with something sweet – dessert! A delectable selection of cakes, made to cater for every kind of sweet tooth; a Movenpick ice cream bar that makes both adult and child jump in delight; and a chocolate fountain that oozes a rich coating for strawberries and marshmallows. Chocolate being my favourite food group, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun end to the meal.

A delectable selection of cakes

Tip:

Get your favourite people together and enjoy a long leisurely lunch

Have a chat to the chefs about the lovely fresh produce used on the day

Sunday BBQ roast lunch is served at The Promenade Cafe every week from 12:00 noon to 2:30pm

Reservations Are Essential – to book call 6269 8810

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra

http://canberra.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

*Sophia enjoyed the signature Sunday BBQ roast lunch as a guest of Hyatt Hotel Canberra

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