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Waters Edge

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Down on the south shore of Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra's premier dining venue. Watersedge is nestled right against the lapping lake, next to the National Portrait Gallery and at the foot of Capital Hill. Look back and your eyes survey the history of our nation's capital, from Old Parliament House, past its famous rose gardens, up to the New Parliament House. Unfortunately for diners, Watersedge does not face this way, instead looking out towards the city. This can be a beautiful view on weekends, when the yachts sails around the lake all day, or in the early evening as the sun sets below the low hills, but at night a dark abyss fills the panorama.

Despite this, the food is fabulous and will rivet your attention completely, regardless of the time of day. The menu features heavily on seafood which is handled to perfection. Start with the salad of blue swimmer crab and prawns with a light coriander and lime mayonnaise, or perhaps the roulade of ocean trout infused in basil olive oil, served with a salad of baby mixed leaves and a ginger soy balsamic dressing. Follow these delicious treats with a generous grain-fed sirloin with asparagus and a rich bordelaise. Finish the evening off with a bitter chocolate mousse, marmalade and almond sable or a cheese platter. Wash it all down with a glass of botrytis Riesling and sit back with the knowledge that you have just indulged in one of Canberra's best. Perfect!

Russell Buzby, August 2008