Established in 1934, the Queanbeyan Bowling Club is an ingrained community and entertainment institution, particularly valued by the many bowlers who continue to call the manicured greens their home, time and time again.
Falling on hard times, the temporary closure of the club in 2014 left an obvious hole in the local landscape. The anticipated reopening sees a new dining destination, bar, TAB and entertainment offerings. The club’s new dining outlet, The Eatery, is the crux of the new club experience offering a family-friendly bistro which serves up modern meals for every taste and budget.
The new vision for the club is to be a home for local sporting and community groups, a meeting place for a meal, drink and night out with friends and family, and a place to be part of the action and catch live sport on the big screens.
“It’s a club for everyone, there’s something for all segments of our community,” General Manager Shane Holland says.
Located on the corner of Campbell and George Street, The Eatery features a tantalising menu ranging from the classic $10 club schnitzel to a tasty prawn linguine. The menu is extensive and caters for lunch, dinner and function bookings.
The food is fresh, servings are generous and customer service is personable. The Eatery’s philosophy of is all about getting the basics of dining, culinary and hospitality right, according to Shane.
“We understand that when choosing to venture out for lunch or dinner that people are looking for a better experience than cooking and dining at home and The Eatery offers that better experience,” he says.
Featuring Head Chef Jacob Thomas’s authentic curry, which changes daily, the lunch menu is available seven days a week and surpasses the standard cheap pub meal.
“I have extensive experience cooking traditional and authentic Indian, being of Indian decent myself. I am very excited to bring the taste and flavours of India to Queanbeyan,” he adds.
Part of the classics on the menu, The Eatery’s Lamb Shank is the epitome of hearty dining. Braised with Provencale vegetables, rosemary, garlic and buttered vegetables the dish combines rich flavours with smooth textures to create a taste bud-tingling sensation with every bite.
If you’re in search of a lighter meal you can’t go past the Prawn Cocktail. The marinated prawns come drizzled with cocktail sauce and accompanied by a mix leaves and lemon wedges to as a fresh citrus twist.
Another light dish is the Salt and Pepper Calamari with Beer Battered Onion Rings, served with salad leaves and garlic aioli. Simple in presentation yet packing a flavoursome punch, this dish truly demonstrates fresh ingredients taking pride and place speaking for themselves.
A standout on the BBQ grill selection is the Chicken Shish Taouk Shawarma Skewer. This visually stunning dish features marinated chicken pieces served with rice and vegetables. It comes to the table commanding your attention and is sure to make your belly rumble just at the sight.
On this particular occasion, the curry of the day showcased an aromatic Pork Vindaloo. All curries are served with steamed rice and papadums. If you’re after an authentic dish that encapsulates the passion and heritage of Chef Jacob then this is the pick for you.
Dine with a view at The Eatery which overlooks the Queanbeyan Bowling Club greens, one of the oldest sporting facilities in Queanbeyan. The dining area is spacious with floor-to-ceiling glass, and there are excellent parking facilities available as well as plenty of entertainment options.
Complemented by a solid range of beers on tap and a delectable wine menu available from the adjacent bar, The Eatery is the perfect location to socialise with friends over a few drinks and hearty meal made with lots of love and care.
