Walking into a restaurant these days is like playing Russian roulette with your palate; sometimes you’re left thrilled and excited for the next round – other times however, you’re wondering why you bothered; not the case with my recent experience at Ha Ha Bar.
Ha Ha Bar managed to take the pain out of my night out, and left my stomach expressing gratitude all the way home. There was no second-guessing; no wishing I’d stayed in and had that home cooked meal; I was at peace.
The owner has managed to transform his dream, the end-of-day hangout it was once projected to Canberra as, into one of the finest dinning experiences I’ve had to date. This is now a place you take a potential partner you’re trying to woo; your wife when you’re begging for forgiveness; or a mother you’re wishing Happy Birthday too. Ha Ha, my friends, is all class these days.
Looking for suggestions? How about their Crispy Calamari: Served with smoked chilli aioli and fresh lemon. This winter warmer (and generous serving) gets your pallet ready for what’s coming next. Staying on the seafood path: Ha Ha’s Pan Seared Prawns are perfectly partnered with avocado, cucumber and gremolata and are the chef’s secret decadent selection and work well with one of their house cocktails.
Drinks? Why sure!
I tried their Cheeky Rascal Sangria, which was the epitome of refreshing. Apple and strawberry cider; a dash of vodka and muddled berries; and finished off with lime and lychee this drink left me feeling, well, complete. But be careful it hits you quicker than you’d expect!
For mains I was offered two dishes, and of course I have a favourite: their Confit Duck made me wonder and doubt my own taste buds: why don’t I eat duck more often? A question asked to myself throughout the entire meal. Blazed red cabbage, currants, toasted pine nuts, and plum gastrique made the meal a perfect combination of sweet and savoury. I never thought of myself as enjoying cabbage; I was wrong, as it was perhaps the best ingredient to that meal (just trust me on that one)!
But of course, if you’re not the seafood connoisseur (the title of a show I’m trying to pitch to Channel Ten) Ha Ha’s Beef Eye Fillet – combined with white bean and vine tomatoes, anchovy butter, red wine jus, and cress salad – makes your mouth water with every bite and is perhaps my photographer’s favourite dish.
Dessert is always a tricky; as much like the restaurant, you have to get it right in order to not feel guilty. If you’re the coffee after a meal kind of person like myself I would suggest the affogato: Vanilla bean gelato, biscuit crumble, frangelico, and that much needed and well deserved espresso shot. However given that their affogato is always on the menu if you’ve the sweet tooth I would suggest this weeks special Ha ha’s blueberry crumble – deliciously warmed for this winter, you won’t go wrong in selecting it.
Sure the food was great, but I almost expected that the minute I walked through the door. You get a vibe from a restaurant. It’s like chemistry: either there or not. What I wasn’t expecting was the kind of service that I could have only dreamed for. Before I even had the chance to ask for more water: it was there. When I wanted to order: they were there waiting (and not in that creepy way we experience a little too frequently). Ha-Ha’s friendly waitresses really were the highlight of my night out. They felt like old friends.
Photography by Chris Whitfield
