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Cafe Barocca

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Come midday an exodus of workers spill from CBD offices into this lunchtime stalwart, an airy, casual cafe well regarded for its pleasant staff and good, reliable cooking. Near the counter there's a casual drinking and dining area where you can pause for a coffee or graze on a light snack menu. Large groups fill the carpeted restaurant area, decorated with statues and flower arrangements, and furnished with white clothed tables and padded banquettes.

There's a large, please-all menu that changes daily. Locals come to devour the French-style charcuterie plate: a tempting assortment of rillettes, terrine and sausage with duck liver, pickled pears, wild rocket and freshly baked bread. Among the pastas available are the pork belly lasagne with scallops, star anise and chilli reduction, or the more conventional linguini with prawns, chilli, garlic and olive oil. The fish and chips, we're told, are of considerable note, having now been rated as "Canberra's Best Fish and Chips" by the Canberra Times. For dessert, try the chocolate pate with liqueur oranges, hazelnut and honeycomb tart. There is also a good range of ports and fortified wines by the glass (or, try a nip of 1955 Armagnac) to finish off the meal.

Fiona Davies, February 2006