After 10 years, Lanterne Rooms will be finishing up at the Campbell shops on September 22 but don't panic, they'll be moving into the new Iskia building on Constitution Ave, with doors expected to open mid-October.
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Josiah Li, of the Chairman Group, admits he's excited by the move.
"I'm not young," he jokes (was really decades ago that he opened his first restaurant in Canberra?)
"I don't know if I still need challenges in my life but when we have something happening I always feel excited.
"We never repeat a concept, Chairman has been a great success but we'd never do a second one."
The new space has been designed by Capezio Copeland and features a stunning South East Asian garden theme design. There will also be three private rooms. The major changes will be reflected in the menu, says Li.
"The bigger kitchen will allow us space to do new things," Li says. "Think whole fish, whole crab."
Until September 21, Lanterne will be offering all dinner guests a glass of bubbles on the house to thanks them for supporting the restaurant.
"We cannot thank everyone enough for all the love and support they have shown over the past 10 years," says Li.
"We are so deeply indebted to everyone who has visited us in this time, appreciated what we have done and helped to spread the word to others. We are so proud what we have achieved with our little restaurant."
It's a busy time for the Chairman Group. They'll also be opening a Japanese concept cafe mid 2020 and hosting some international collaborations. Stay tuned for more details.
International flavour
The 20th Canberra International Riesling Challenge will take place in mid October and, in what chairman James Service believes is a first for Australian wine shows, a Chinese wine has been entered.
"We are particularly delighted with the range of countries that have entered, with entries from nine countries," Service said.
Record entries have been received from Canada and the Czech Republic, the return of Chile and the first entry from China.
"We think this is probably the first Chinese entry to an Australian wine show, showing the rapidly improving quality and confidence in the Chinese wine industry and the status of the challenge as the international showcase of riesling."
The Chinese entry comes from Ningxia Province which has a total area of vines of about 40,000 ha - about 17 per cent bigger than the area of wine grape vines in NSW. Judging will take place from October 14-17.
Nick O'Leary wine dinner
Join Nick O'Leary, one of the brightest talents in the region when it comes to wine making, at a Meet the Maker Wine Dinner at Ducks Nuts Bar and Grill in Dickson on September 19. There'll be seven course and seven wines on offer. I'm quite partial to his rose which will be matched with a start of goat's cheese tartlet with caramelised red wine onion jam and a scallop done in a beurre blanc using his riesling. Booking my tickets now. $99pp, from 6.30pm. Book via eventbrite.com.au.
Gin pig dinner
A gin pig is a pig fed the spent botanicals from Four Pillars Gin. It makes the rare breed pure black Berkshire pigs rather tasty apparently. Try them at a Four Pillars Gin x Thredbo Alpine Hotel dinner. The menu incorporates flavourful gin pig pork in every course (including dessert!). The night will kick off with canapes and a grazing table before moving into seated mains and dessert, paired with four drinks created by Four Pillars Gin. September 10, from 6.30pm, at the Cascades Restaurant, Thredbo Alpine Hotel. Bookings (02) 6459 4200. $120pp
- Know something we should include in Morsels? Drop the Good Food team a line at food.wine@canberratimes.com.au