There’s something about the suburbs of Canberra that brings a sense of ease and comfort. With carefully-cultivated streets and a real sense of community, the local shops provide plenty of new venues to explore.
A shining example of this is The District at Crace. Set among the shiny new shops at the centre of the suburb, The District is very much focussed on delivering locals a relaxed and comfortable space with a distinct flavour of its own.
Speaking of flavours, there is plenty to enjoy across the broad menu. While the breakfast options are up there with the very best across town, for lunch and dinner there is plenty on offer to make for a fantastic meal with friends.
Seared Scallops with horseradish mayo, basil oil and chilli beetroot is a great way to start. The succulent, flesh scallops that arrived at the table were cooked to perfection. The pretty plate, decorated with a range of herbs and microherbs, will look great in your Instagram feed. The chilli beetroot is a hit, offering a sense of zing that tickles the palate and cuts through the rich and delicious mayonnaise.
If there’s one cut of lamb that is worth dining out for, it has to be back-strap. Close to the bone and packed full with flavour, The District takes this highly-regarded meat and lets it shine on a simple serve of mash, broccolini and a Tzatziki and beetroot puree. Crisp chips of sweet potato add a bright hit of colour and plays nicely off the pink centre of the back-strap.
If you’ve got something of an appetite, grab a plate of the Honey Soy Chilli Beef. Your eyes will widen as the plate arrives with its towering stack of pumpkin and tomato. The crunch of pine nuts and pistachios contrast nicely with the tender meat, which has been drenched in the honey-soy marinade and slow-cooked to the point of perfection. This is a great plate to enjoy with a beer or one of the wines available from the extensive list at the bar.
The end of every meal needs a show-stopper, and at The District the Peanut Butter Parfait with salted caramel popcorn is the perfect way to finish. Another gorgeously presented dish, the parfait is a collection of rich, golden colours.. We matched this with a superb Espresso Martini from the bar, and finished our meal in very high spirits!
This trip through the menu really demonstrates the range and quality of the dining offerings at The District. As well as all this, the café-bar also has a great range of pizzas and dining specials from Monday to Thursday. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year (except for Christmas Day), it’s easy to see why The District has become a key part of the Crace community since opening in January 2015.
Why not head out and see for yourself!
