Since opening in late 2013, Little Brooklyn has taken its rightful position of Kingston’s favourite pub. Situated in Green Square – one of Canberra’s oldest shopping precincts – the busy little bar has proved popular among locals and visitors alike with its mix of friendly service, sport broadcasts and delicious food.
In fact, the food at Little Brooklyn is one among the bar’s strengths. As part of the Cocu Group, Little Brooklyn’s menu is steered by David Black – one of the Group Executive Chefs. Black has developed a simple menu of pub favourites, American-inspired finger foods and (somewhat surprisingly) delicious salads.
Organised across five categories – Fingers, Salads, Burgers & Things, Pub Grub, and Desserts – it seems everything is in the right place. The finger foods make for a great start, and a selection of tacos is the perfect way to graze across a bunch of delicious flavours without crowding the table with giant plates. One of the best is the soft-shell crab version: the rich, sweet meat hides in the crunchy batter and the house-made slaw delivers a hit of acid and covers fingers in a sauce that begs to be licked clean.
Another great pub dish is nachos, and Little Brooklyn’s version is much lighter than the heavy, gooey mess that you might expect from a pub. An indication of this success is the decision to avoid minced meat – opting instead for a braised beef brisket. It shows a focus on quality and, as a result, maintains a varied texture. The avocado & jalapeno salsa is spicy – without being anywhere near overpowering – and cuts through the rich flavours of the meat and cheese. Again, it’s a great dish to pick at with a friend or two.
For those who simply want to hoe into a meal themselves, it’s hard to go past the Brooklyn Burger. With a fast-developing reputation as one of the best available in Canberra, Angus beef is matched with bacon, cheese, pickles and caramelised onion. Top it off with their secret Little Brooklyn Ketchup (don’t worry, we asked!), and what you’ve got is a burger that’s demolished with ferocious speed.
We mentioned the salads – and they’re well worth a look. The range of three different bowls filled with fresh, seasonal produce has been hugely popular. Drawing separate influences from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and South-East Asia, each has its own personality with a distinct flavour profile. The Duck Salad with Asian greens and soba noodles is the most substantial of the three, but makes for a fantastic alternative to many of the more ‘blokey’ options across the menu.
These three picks offer more than just great tastes. It’s an insight into a company that understands how to match food to its atmosphere. Simple, friendly and fun is everything you’d hope for in a local pub, and a feeling that Little Brooklyn delivers through its menu as well.
