arts & entertainment / reviews
Getting the Royal treatment (also owners of two Goulburn pubs) invested millions to create a pub/dining area many would dining no longer recognise. It’s more contemporary than I expected, but an attractive, inviting space indeed. SHE’S a glam old gal and, after You must – absolutely must – visit the outdoor months of blood, sweat and tears, has area, originally the old kitchen, pump house and unveiled her $3.4 million makeover. boiler house, with a grand, open fireplace as a centrepiece and many original features lovingly Queanbeyan’s Royal Hotel, on the retained including a laundry tub and original main drag, has proudly announced brick. she is “re-established 2012” and ready Inside are several comfy seating “zones”, some to serve fine drink and food for many with funky geometric-patterned pillows scattered about. The bar seems like it’s a kilometre a year to come. long and, at the end, hangs a vintage photo of Originally open in 1926, “The Royal” was the Lord Mayor of Sydney and the original pub showing its age when the Pub Funds Group owner, Mr Richardson, and his son. The “pokie area” has been tucked away so it’s not a bother. On the menu are many dishes you’d expect of a pub, but the execution and presentation has been ramped up. The French onion soup was made with proper stock and served with chewy bread and melted cheese. My freshly made Tagliatelle packed a punch. The slow-roasted tomato and basil sauve was intense in colour and flavour and married well with spicy chorizo, juicy tiger prawns, salty olives and creamy roasted garlic ($17.50). Several of our group of 18 had the tender rib-eye steak ($32), all cooked exactly as ordered (bar one). The Greek salad tossed with thick slices of bocconcini, semi-dried tomato, olives and more was dressed appropriately with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette – meal-size and so easy to share ($16.50). The Ranch burger was yummy, although not the best pub burger, one friend reported ($13.50). However, its sourdough bun got the big tick. You order at the bar at the Royal and then get buzzed when your food is ready. The process is smooth and efficient. I plead with the hotel (indeed, all eating establishments) to stop wrapping cutlery tight in damp serviettes, which Rib-eye steak. Photos by Silas Brown end up hard to unravel.
Wendy Johnson
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“You must – absolutely must – visit the outdoor area”. The Royal’s wine list is decent, although I’d like more offerings by the glass. Lots of good drops from across Australia and NZ, but a nice touch would be to offer another label or two from this region. Upstairs are 14 well-appointed, renovated rooms, most with ensuites (if you have too many, just stay over!). A function room on the main floor is perfect for larger gatherings and a conference room is being finished upstairs, complete with lovely, stained-glass windows. Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan, 85 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6297 1444. Open seven days.
A fun time with the zombies Helen Musa arts in the city
“THE Dracula Rock Show” is a “funny, family musical” that somehow mixes zombies, Count Dracula, Inspector Shirley Holmes, Dr Watson, the evil Prof Moriarty and his servant Quasimodo. It’s suitable for all ages, says director Nina Stevenson. At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, October 6-12. Bookings to 6293 1443. THE “Tap into Water Everyday Youth Dance Festival” celebrates its 27th year with 1100 students from no fewer than 33 high schools and colleges across the ACT and the region interpreting this year’s theme, “Heroes and Messages”. Bookings to 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au ROBYN Archer has just launched a new book on Canberra by one of this region’s best-loved photographers, Heidi Smith. The 220-page, coffee table publication covers 1979-2012. Husband of nearly 50 years, Brian, did the design, text and general production. Available in all good book stores. THE Friends of the School of Music are planning a fabulous concert by staff and students, with a line-up headed by flautist Virginia Taylor, soprano Louise Page, clarinetist Tom Azoury, guitarists Andrey Lebedev and Callum Henshaw, 28 CityNews September 20-27
Mary Poole and Rhys Hekimian in a scene from “The Dracula Rock Show”. jazz saxophonist Miles O’Connell and percussionist Gary France. In the Larry Sitsky Room, 7pm, Tuesday September 25. “OVER The Rooftops”, the latest exhibition at ANCA Gallery, Rosevear Place, Dickson, showcases distinctive new paintings inspired by Munich’s suburban skyline by lawyer-turnedartist Annabel Butler. Noon to 5pm, WednesdaySunday, until September 23. CONGRATULATIONS to Canberra composer Jesmond Grixti, whose “Intimo for String Orchestra” (2010) will have its world premiere by Southern Cross Philharmonia on September 26, in Melba Hall, University of Melbourne. THE Combined Canberra Grammar Schools’ Wind Ensembles, under the guidance of Teresa
and Steve Rabe, will perform everything from Fauré to Simon & Garfunkel in a Wednesday Lunchtime Live Concert at Wesley Music Centre, September 26, 12.40pm to 1.20pm. $2 or paper note entry. MUSIC for Everyone has classics, jazz and popular songs being performed by local musical groups Saxophonix and Sempre Strings at the Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, 3pm, September 23. Conductors are Andrew Lorenz and Benn Sutcliffe. THE ACT Writers Centre will host a useful Tuesday chat, “Publish or Bust: How to find your way through the publishing maze”, with Sue Halden-Brown, on September 25 from 1pm-2pm. bookings to 6262 9191.