THE iconic Hermitage restaurant on London Circuit is no more. After 39 years, its founder and owner, the affable Malcolm Carlin has served his last dish.

While the word “retiring” is not one CC would normally associate with the irrepressible restaurateur, that’s what he’s going to do and, within days, his restaurant will be rebranded Mr Wei’s and, under the ownership of chef David Wei, formerly of Kingston Foreshore’s Wild Duck, will feature dishes in the modern Asian style.

Malcolm first opened in Woden and moved the restaurant and its reputation for discreet, fine dining to Civic 15 years ago.

One customer disappointed with his retirement had her 30th birthday there and had booked to celebrate her 40th with Malcolm. Smooth as ever, he’s convinced her to trust the special night to David.

Radio snags the video stars

THE makers of this year’s local viral YouTube video “Sh*t nobody says in Canberra” now have their own show on FM104.7, proving they couldn’t have offended the station too much by questioning the comedic prowess of Scotty and Nige in their comedy short.

The group’s first one-hour radio show as “The Roundabout Crew” aired at 6pm last Sunday, the members telling their Facebook fans they would now be working in a medium “where we don’t have to show our sh*t heads” before asking for suggested topics to talk about.

The Roundabout Crew’s Tom Armstrong, Elliot Morgan, Peter Hughes and Kenny Rodrigues make films under the name Oakenden Productions and have also produced a short comedy called “SarcAdam”, which is playing at Dendy on September 13 for the Canberra International Short Film Festival.

Not-olini’s, brother

CC hears that the recently vacated Artespresso space in Kingston is to get a new look, a new name and new ownership in the form of Danny Tosolini, brother of Civic restaurateur Carlo.

Danny has recently returned to Canberra from working in Sydney and the word is he will have the place rebadged and open for quality dining before October. Carlo is insistent it won’t be called Tosolini’s and went a bit fuzzy when CC asked about his interest in the new place.

 

BYO (clean) knickers!

WHILE CC always obeys the maternal instruction of having hospital-strength clean underwear when going out, we haven’t been anywhere with a clean pair in our hands.

But that was the BYO request of newbie MLA Nicole Lawder, who took Senate aspirant Zed Seselja’s spot on the Liberal benches. Nicole was hosting a “welcome me” soiree to celebrate her first day in the chamber this week and invited guests to bring a pair of new, unused underwear to donate to Canberra Homeless Connect.

Barry channels Mr Bull

 QUEANBEYAN identity and occasional dauber Barry Cranston has entered a spooky world with his painting of Queanbeyan’s 1888 Mayor John Bull in the Council Art Exhibition at the Queanbeyan Art Society Gallery.

Clearly channelling the town’s second mayor for inspiration, Cranston discovered after his painting that he and Mayor Bull were eerily alike: of Scottish descent; run businesses in Goulburn; married in St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn; involved in the wool industry; on the committee of the Queanbeyan Racing Club; parishioner of Christ Church, Queanbeyan and a council alderman. That and they look the same. Kidding!

Inconvenience store

“CityNews” scribbler Stephen Easton arrived at the brightly branded “24 hours 7 days Quick and Go” convenience store on the north-west corner of the Sydney Building, in Civic late one night, to inconveniently find it closed.

Despite the promise of its multiple signage, less prominently is an A4 piece of paper stuck to the door that says it’s only open continuously from 6.30am on Thursdays until 11pm on Sundays in the winter months. The rest of the week it’s only open between 6.30am and 11pm.

Noobs welcome

THE blogging response to our recent article on Impact Comics principal Mal Briggs (“Comics make a big impact with Mal”, CN July 11) on citynews.com.au has been overwhemlingly complimentry including this: “As well as being incredibly friendly and helpful, they’ve successfully created a comic store that welcomes women and noobs.” Noobs?

Dr Wiki advises: “Newbie, newb, noob, or n00b is a slang term for a novice or newcomer, or somebody inexperienced in any profession or activity.”

It seems to have come from late 20th century US military jargon.