Venturing outside the confines of an air-conditioned house isn’t usually advisable when the mercury in Canberra rises above 35, but if I was going to battle the sweltering dash from house-to-car-to-bar, it would be to kick back in the ambience of Gungahlin’s Siren Bar and Restaurant.
The live music, enticing menus and unencumbered open plan space which transforms seamlessly from the suavest of indoor cocktail lounges to an encircling alfresco space, placed an instant sizzling chill on the scorching temperatures rampant outside. The unmistakeable free-flowing curl of Siren’s logo is illuminated in glistening jet behind a contemporary bar dripping with sleek sophistication – just in case you could possibly forget you were enjoying this slice of much needed north side perfection.
As enticing as the outdoor area was with its wooden decking, glass surrounding and furnishings which would look just as home at an exclusive resort in Bora Bora – the Air-conditioning lured me to an elevated table inside so I could still enjoy the view of the entire space and sensational live music without melting faster than frosty in a furnace.
A trip out here wouldn’t be complete without trying “The Siren” cocktail whilst deliberating over the dinner menu and specials board. A muddled fusion of lime and vodka, topped with Chambord and lemonade all on top a pile of crushed fruits, dropped the temperature yet another notch and substantially unwound weekday stresses in just one heavenly, Summery sip.
A spectacularly presented trio of dips and various breads arrived to nibble whilst the entrees and mains were ordered. A chef’s daily selection of thick, luscious dips I could only dream of being able to find in a supermarket are impaled impressively with shards of crisp flatbread and slices of soft, warm ciabatta. Considering high temperatures are supposed to dispel appetite, the plate was wiped clean in a matter of moments.
The first entree of tempura battered soft shell crab made a fabulous change to the salt and pepper calamari on every other bar menu in the city. Creamy tendrils of the scuttling crustacean were covered in the lightest but unmistakeably crisp tempura coating, accompanied by a cooling salad of cucumber and crispy noodles made necessary by the glistening ruby pool of chilli dipping sauce to one side.
The second entree of Grilled haloumi (as rare on entree menus as calamari is frequent) consisted of four golden batons of haloumi cheese nestled gently into a strip of fresh, punchy salsa. The satisfaction gleaned from slicing through a piece of grilled haloumi is hard to explain, but there is just something about cracking through the thinnest lace of golden crust to reveal an oozing enigma of impossibly pure cheese – solid enough to retain form over heat, yet so soft it’s easily spreadable on an accompanying slice of toasted ciabatta. Absolute bliss.
Our mains arrived shortly afterwards and I wasted no time diving into the much anticipated kangaroo loin. A beautiful sight to behold, the pink-centred steaks resting on wilted spinach and thick balsamic drizzle were topped with crisp sweet potato curls and a rich fruit based chutney. Kangaroo is my favourite red meat and is sadly overcooked to toughness so frequently I’d all but given up hopes of ordering it again. Not the case at Siren. the juices seeped from a blushing centre and, pooling into the balsamic drizzle and chutney made the most luscious sauce for kangaroo conceivable. Definitely a keeper.
The second main of salmon and grilled watermelon salad was ordered out of burning curiosity. Salmon? Grilled watermelon? Parmesan cheese? Needless to say I was dubious, but unnecessarily so. Eating hot watermelon provides a completely different flavour profile to the ice cold wedges you would cut for yourself in the height of summer, and somehow just works with the salty sharpness of shaved parmesan, peppery rocket, earthy pine nuts, acidic balsamic dressing and flaking pink chunks of meaty, skin attached salmon. A risk completely worth taking and yet another plate wiped clean.
Siren bar and restaurant are impressive at every turn. Offering the best seasonal produce, on-trend yet highly considered drinks menu and a decor you’d love to plaster in your own home, it’s the perfect place to go for just about any occasion. Then again, when your eyeballs are sizzling and backyard herb garden has wilted beyond all salvaging – who needs an occasion for a soothing cocktail or two?
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