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Canberra Today 25°/28° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Edgars: In with the inn crowd

Let’s start with the comment my friend made at the end of our dining experience at Edgar’s Inn: “If I lived in Ainslie this would be my local.”

It’s no wonder Edgar’s Inn is up for Best Pub Bistro in this year’s Australian Hospitality Association Awards, a category it won last year. Pubs are unique and, no matter what their personality, the best ones are all about friendship: endearing places that make you feel at home; places to enjoy a few drinks and good, old pub grub.

At Edgar’s Inn, the long bar is a major feature and sports fans love the flat-screen televisions. One blackboard lists the wines and another advertises the new tasting paddle – four small samples of beers for $13 (take your paddle back to the bar and you get a schooner of your favourite).

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We were there for pub grub. My friend tucked into the Gourmet Dog ($18) and we giggled when we saw the size of the bun. It was massive, but perfect for its thick, spicy toulouse sausage and fresh rocket (adding a nice peppery element) and a sprinkling of fried shallots. I got a kick out of watching her manoeuvre around the bun, or trying to anyway. Eventually, she deconstructed the meal, but that was part of the fun.

Other pub classics are burgers, schnitzels and fish and chips. The menu featured some lighter dishes, such as my char-grilled orange and chorizo salad ($18), with goat’s cheese, basil and rocket. The fresh citrus dressing was perky, but could have had a bit more punch. Still, it is perfect for those who like a combo of healthy veggies and a “bit of grease”.

Bar snacks include crispy chick peas ($8), oven-roasted almonds ($6) and marinated olives ($9). Specials are also available throughout the week, including a rump on Tuesdays.

The particular chardonnay we ordered was out of stock ($32) and we didn’t want to cough up another $14 for the only other one available, so we switched to another style of wine.

Staff are friendly and, even though it’s counter service, one member checked in to ask if we were enjoying lunch.

I was told, when I called, that Edgar’s Inn doesn’t take reservations on weekends, although when we arrived two large communal tables had reserved signs on them. Still, we found a seat inside. Luck was on our side given we couldn’t sit outside in the large, outdoor dining area because of the rain.

Was this gourmet food? Nah. Was it supposed to be? Nah. Did we care? Nah. There’s something simple about honest, tasty, pub grub, and that’s exactly what we enjoyed.

1 Edgar Street, Ainslie, Monday-Friday, 10am till late; Saturday-Sunday, 8am till late. Call 6257 5488. Live music Sundays from 3pm.


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Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson

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