Wendy Johnson

Food Reviewer at CityNews.com.au

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Articles

An eclectic place where customers can hang out

1 week ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON couldn’t get her head wrapped around Lil Mama’s Studio when it opened on the Kingston Foreshore, but she admired its massive outdoor dining area with loads of sun and pretty specky water views. Was this a community hub for creatives? A café combined with a studio space? A capital venue focusing on coffee and simple eats? In the end, Lil Mama’s Studio is all of these things. It’s a coffee and juice bar. It’s a café with a limited but growing menu.
40 minutes to get to a menu and a wine list!

2 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

It took a cool $4 million to fit out the gorgeous-looking restaurant at Murrumbateman’s Shaw Estate and the massive space is picture-perfect with views of a small dam and new vineyard plantings, writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. Both refined and relaxed, the Shaw Estate restaurant focuses on a Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience. We made matters easy by ordering banquets ($79 a person).
Italian cuisine, created with quality and flair

3 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“As much as I pop the champagne cork when a new restaurant, bar or café hits the capital, I am committed this year to toasting the hospitality venues that have been feeding Canberrans and visitors for years and years. They deserve our support,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. I first reviewed multi award-winning Italian and Sons in 2012 and felt right at home when I visited several weeks back.
Italian Clover comes with the full Japanese wafu

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“It’s wafu all the way at new Clover in the city, and the concept is exciting to explore… so exciting our group of foodie fans went back for a feed two weekends in a row,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. So, what’s “wafu”? It’s the adaptation of Japanese flavours and techniques into different cuisines, in this case Italian. Don’t be deterred. It takes knowledge and skill to execute cross-cultural ideas and Clover Wafu Italian nails it.
Nectar calls in the lounge of the gods

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Ambrosia Lounge creates concoctions to transport customers to Mount Olympus without the need for a chariot,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. About eight months ago, a groovy lounge opened in what may seem an unlikely place, inviting Canberrans to taste the “nectar of the gods”. Except, the place is perfect. Why? Ambrosia Lounge is just down from locally owned and operated Ambrosia Distillery in the Dairy Flat Precinct, Fyshwick.
Service was fantastic and we had loads of fun

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Service was fantastic and we had loads of fun.” Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON’s been to Paloma’s in Braddon. From 4pm until late, Tuesday to Saturday, Paloma’s pumps in Braddon. This hip bar and restaurant, with an intense personality and mega vibe, is all about Mexican-inspired share plates, tacos, palomas (of course) and other sexy cocktails. It was all happening when a group of us arrived.
Steady Portia's is still the place to dine

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

Reliable, steady Portia’s Place, after 29 years and having changed hands only a few times, still goes strong in today’s truly volatile hospitality scene, says dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. In 1996, a gold plaque was erected on the side of a building in Kingston announcing the opening of Portia’s Place by Sir William Keys and The Rev David Thiem.
Where it's hands on and finger lickin' eating

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“Note to self,” says dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. “Take a big bib and a mountain of hand wipes the next time I visit Smoke Masters BBQ in Fyshwick.”It’s hand’s-on eating at Smoke Masters BBQ with finger-lickin’ ribs, gravy rolls dripping with goodness, and thick burgers overflowing with juices. The day starts early at Smoke Masters BBQ with high-quality sourced meats cookin’ away on a big, black, mean-looking smoker sitting out front in the parking lot (a commanding presence).
Obsessed with wanting you to taste Mexico with every bite

2 months ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

“While recipes are authentic and celebrate many parts of Mexico, Cartel Belconnen dares to add its own twist,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. You can’t escape the Day of the Dead theme at Cartel Belconnen. It’s everywhere (even decorating the staircase), but that’s part of the fun. Indeed, the entire place is a riot of colour, with a great vibe. It was margarita time, and I asked for a “traditional lime”.
Lots of lovely niceties at Nicky's

2 months ago | citynews.com.au | Wendy Johnson

It’s the special touches that count for hospo veteran and chef Nicky Kim… like making her own smoked salmon for eggs benedict. It may take more time, but it produces better results, writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. We hit Nicky’s at Dickson around lunchtime on a weekend, feeling peckish and curious about what the menu would offer. It kicks off with toast, which includes house-made focaccia ($8) and a sour cherry and sultana loaf ($9).