The Ox Eatery - the place to eat in Canberra!

When in Canberra where do you go for a good meal in good surroundings? The Ox Eatery of course. This is located on the ground floor of the popular East Hotel in Kingston, Canberra. It is opposite the Kingston Hotel, made famous during the Petrov Affair, where secret meetings took place between ASIO and Vladimir Petrov in the 1950's.

From the moment you walk in the Ox Eatery you are impressed with the decor - modern, upmarket, but welcoming. Good use has been made of recycled timber form a demolished indoor sports centre. Ample lighting is provided through the large windows facing the street and the overhead lights. The combination of tables and booths provides ample choice of seating options. The atmosphere is wonderful - casually elegant and not stuffy.

The centerpiece of the Ox Eatery is the fully imported French Rotisserie where they cook the various meats on offer to perfection in full view of the diners. The meat turns slowly until it is perfectly cooked. In front of this is a large timber chopping block.

The emphasis of Ox Eatery food is simple food done well and designed to share. This shines through in the entrees, mains, and desserts on offer. These are changed for each season to make the most of what is in season.
 

I had the pleasure of dining at the Ox Eatery on Saturday night. Looking around I noticed other diners included individuals, couples, families and groups. For my entrees and main I sampled a selection of what was available on the menu. I had some Angus Beef Rump and Chicken cooked on the Rotisserie; Green Salad and Vegetable; Pernod, Parsley & Garlic Prawns and a Slider. What I liked about the meat was that it was cooked to perfection - it was tender and juicy and not raw or burnt. Each dish I sampled was outstanding in its freshness and taste.

There is a delectable array of desserts to choose from. I sampled divine Churros with Vahlrona Chocolate Dipping Sauce and  a Cheesecake Panna Cotta with Blueberry and Vodka Compote. If only we could make them at home like they do at the Ox!

The meal was accompanied by a local white wine. One of the advantages of travel is to sample local produce and wine. It is good to see that the Ox Eatery is supporting a local winery.

The staff  provided great service. They were not pushy, but welcoming in their attitude and friendly service. The Ox Eatery is owned by Chris Hansen and Steve Rockmann. Their other ventures include Tongue and Groove, Gus cafe and previously Cape Cod as well as The Chairman and Yip. I had the pleasure of  meeting Chris during the evening. It is obvious that is is passionate about good food and he is justifiably proud of his Ox Eatery.

Groups of 15 can indulge themselves in a Suckling Pig Party. The Suckling Pig is cooked slowly in full view on their French Rotisserie until the meat is succulent and the crackling crisp. It is then served on a giant board with all of the trimmings, juicy sweet corn, crunchy green beans, rosemary spiked potatoes and green leaf salads.

In addition to lunches and dinners, breakfasts are also served at the Ox Eatery. One the two days I stayed at the East Hotel, I chose the Full Buffet Breakfast, although I could have chosen the Hot Breakfast or the Continental Breakfast. Emphasizing the family nature of the Ox Eatery, they have a special Kids Brekky price, and those lucky people still aged under four eat their breakfast for free.

The Full Buffet Breakfast consists of a selection of cereals, fruit, and yoghurt; breads and pastries, hot dishes of tomato, bacon, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms; pancakes; juices, tea and coffee. The range is not as extensive as some other breakfast places offer, but what is provided is more than ample. What is left out are those dished others provide but people tend not to eat.

On the far side of the Ox Eatery is the Ox Bar with seating inside and outside on the terrace. The Ox Bar specialises in an amazing array of whisky, gin, and cocktails. There are more than 100 types of Single Malt Whiskies from Scotland and other countries around the world, including Ireland, Wales, England, South Africa, Canada and Japan. For those not sure of what whiskey to choose, Whiskey Flights are available where a selection of three different types of whisky are served straight or on the rocks.

Gin lovers can choose English, Scottish, American, Welsh, French, German and Dutch Gin. New products arrive each month, so there is always the excuse to drop in for something new. For groups of friends or work functions Cocktail Parties can be held on the terrace or in semi-private areas, with a range of food and drink packages available. Serious drinkers an join in the fun of Whiskey Master Classes

It always intrigues me why a restaurant has been named its particular name. The name Ox Eatery was chosen for several reasons - it is on the corner of Oxley Street, it serves a lot of meat (Ox) and it also stands for a kiss and a hug!

 

 

 

Ox Eatery

Opening Hours
Buffet Breakfast 6.30-10am Mon-Sun
Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon-Fri
Dinner 6-10pm Mon-Sat
Bar 4pm til late Mon-Sat
Private bookings Sunday by arrangement


Address: 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston ACT 2604
Phone : +61 2 6178 0041
Email : ox@easthotel.com.au
Website: http://oxeatery.com.au/