Owner of the popular Bison Home in Pialligo and the creative force behind a new self-titled fashion and homewares line, Brian Tunks talks us through his Canberra favourites.
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Hidden gem? My version of a 'hidden gem' would be Pialligo. Apart from having my company based there, it holds a special place for me. It's the green heart of the ACT. To think that there were dairies, market gardens and nurseries, along with the still-operating orchards, has that sense of continuity. At night when I used to be working at ridiculous hours I'd see native birds and animals move in where the humans had left for the day. A family of geese would even chase people occasionally.
Weekend haunt? I would say a pre-emptive strike at Dream Cuisine. Owen and his team know how to strike the balance between portion size and taste sensation. Simple and pure flavours, and not on the scale of a heart attack. I'd then check in with the floralistas at Moxom and Whitney in Braddon. I have a rule that every week I have fresh flowers at home. I often walk down to Double Shot in Deakin. It's a meeting place for a number of my friends and they have a great menu.
Place to take visitors? I have a real thing for the Arboretum. To see the forests and vegetation gradually filling out and I also think a city needs loads of green spaces. The National Portrait Gallery is another favourite. The space is big enough to keep a group of people entertained for a while, with a continuing roster of sensational exhibitions, and the café does great coffee. For dinner there are two places I love - eightysix in Braddon and On Red in Red Hill.
People watching spot? I think any place involving coffee and/or food is a winner on this score. If you want to see the various 'tribes' at work in our fair city then a trip to Tilley's is essential. I'd also suggest Double Shot as it manages to merge the fascination with active wear with a great sound track. That being said I'm also guilty as I'll go there after gym myself.
Place to unwind? I have three Belgian Shepherd dogs and can't get enough of Lake Burley Griffin. I must admit it can be a challenge taking them on eight-foot leashes - think Cirque de Soleil in a wind tunnel and you'll get the idea. But the view is magnificent.
Treat? This may sound a little retail-based, which it unashamedly is, but I'm a freak for beautiful Persian rugs. My guilty pleasure, when not trolling the depths of Gumtree in the wee hours looking for vintage Parker furniture, is spending some time discussing the history and provenance of the aforementioned rugs with Manu, a former diplomat, in his Aladdin's cave of colour, better known as Arya Gallery in Reid.
