Wow Canberra, you are completely taking my breath away! I was born in this beautiful city in 1958, have lived here all my life and now feel as though my baby has come of age – certainly in terms of food, wine and spectacular events!
As one of Canberra's key food writers, I've been invited to a special VIP tour of the Enlighten festival's night noodle markets with Natasha Rudra, food and wine editor of The Canberra Times. The event is brand new to the city and I'm genuinely excited. As I look around me, all of my senses are being teased with good things.
Our group is the first to arrive and we're treated to a taste of what visitors will experience. Popular local Asian eateries, Thirst Wine Bar and Morks, have joined forces with well known stalls such as Hoy Pinoy (Filipino), Let’s Do Yum Cha (dumplings) and Zagyoza (Japanese) to present a veritable feast to satisfy every appetite. Dishes on offer include chilli soft shell crab with golden bao; boat noodle beef soup; yellow curry of chicken and potato with rice noodle; Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancakes); and my favourite Inihaw Na Baboy (Filipino BBQ Pork belly skewers with banana ketchup, yum!). There are also sweets, including mango pancakes, churros with chocolate, and some insanely good nitro gelato from N2. As ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, says 'The Night Noodle Markets are a welcome addition to Enlighten, providing an extra reason for both interstate visitors and locals to attend this growing event while sampling the essence of the Canberra region’s food and wine experiences.' Indeed. The night noodle markets are taking place across two full weeks and I'm definitely going back for more! I urge you to attend folks, no matter how busy you are or how far you have to drive across town to get there. Come, make the time, then sit and enjoy yourself at this delicious event. Yay Canberra! What: Enlighten Night Noodle Markets Where: Reconciliation Place, Canberra (behind Questacon, towards the Lake) When: 27 February to 8 March 2015 (Mon - Wed 5pm-9pm, Thurs - Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 4pm-10pm, Sun 4pm-9pm) Cost: Entry is free, but of course you must pay for all food and drinks purchased. There is an ATM on site. Download a map and menu from here. The vista...Postcards and morsels...About 'Enlighten 2015'...
An unmissable Australian first, an evocative performance installation and an American Youtube sensation are just some of the exciting events on offer across the first weekend of Enlighten. Returning for a fifth luminous year with more than 50 events set against the backdrop of Enlighten’s trademark architectural projections, this year’s jam-packed program offers something for everyone.
Enlighten’s Adelina La Vita says that this year’s event promises to be the biggest and brightest yet. 'There are lots of surprises in store for crowds and plenty of reasons to venture out after dark and explore, listen, eat and play,' she said. 'Many ticketed events have already sold out, so be sure to purchase yours soon to avoid missing out.' Enlighten opened last night with the launch of the brand new Enlighten Night Noodle Markets and the Australian premiere of Voyage – a spectacular installation which will see 300 illuminated paper boats set sail across Lake Burley Griffin. The fast-paced and hilarious musical comedy trilogy Bane also begins at the National Library of Australia tonight, and will put you on the edge of your seat! Grab a picnic blanket and join songstress Katie Noonan on Saturday, for the fifth annual By the Water Concert at the National Museum of Australia. Meanwhile, Questacon’s Swamp Juice will offer a creative and fun experience with puppets made from household rubbish. Guests can also immerse themselves in the musical magic of The Electric Garden thanks to Youtube sensation Lake Street Dive, the exotic acoustics of gypsy-jazz band Crystal Barecca and the eclectic tunes of local DJs. On both nights the Parliamentary Triangle will be enlivened with the award-winning aerial performance Elements and roving performers The Sharks who will duck, weave and dive through crowds. To view the Enlighten 2015 program and book tickets visit the web site.
Do you have a night noodle market event in your part of the world, dear readers? And will you be visiting the night noodle markets in Canberra this year, as part of the Enlighten Festival?
35 Comments
Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:43:08 am
Oh Choclette... great to hear that you've been here... but sad you don't remember the food. Things have changed! Trust me.
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28/2/2015 08:39:50 am
Looks like a very lively event. I just love those colourful lanterns - and I suspect the pok belly would win me over too.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:44:17 am
Thanks Amanda... It has certainly taken off... with a few disgruntled customers, I'm hearing. Some complaining about 40 minute line ups... to be expected when something good happens and the masses attend. But Canberrans are not accustomed to waiting, as in traffic etc.
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28/2/2015 08:49:57 am
Looks terrific. Who says there's nothing on in Canberra? I was there a few years ago for the light display on the Art Gallery, National Library etc.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:44:52 am
Thanks GG... this event is taking place as part of the 'light display' called Enlighten : )
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:45:20 am
Thanks Krista, it really is a great event! I love the lanterns too!
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Tina
28/2/2015 09:57:09 am
Well you are very lucky went there last night OMG!!!! You had to line up to get in and then line up again for what you wanted!
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Lizzy
28/2/2015 05:20:15 pm
Hi Tina, try going early if you can, perhaps around 5-5.30.... I was there at that time. : )
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Eha
28/2/2015 11:01:22 am
Fantastic! Inviting! And so different form the [already quoted way back] time I flew over 'Berra en route to Melbourne to have the captain say; 'Please put on your seatbelts for the next few minutes. We may experience turbulence - nothing but hot air rising from there' :) ! Oh, already way back then you had a couple of the best curry restaurants in your birth town: but how things have changed . . . have just made up my mind I'll be down for my next birthday even if it is midwinter . . .have been there before at that time and loved it!!
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:45:49 am
Eha, it'd be grand if you could make it sometime! Do come!
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Eha
2/3/2015 12:30:16 pm
Am looking at June: nought definite as yet . . .and a coffee or lunch together would truly be grand!!
Lizzy
28/2/2015 05:07:19 pm
Hi Maryanne, it's until 8 March! : )
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28/2/2015 01:36:15 pm
Great run down Liz! Canberra really is coming of age in the food world, lots of delicious options.... Thanks for the links to menus and stuff too.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:46:13 am
Thanks so much Jo, and my pleasure. Hope you get to go along!
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28/2/2015 09:21:44 pm
What a delightful event! And such beautiful images! I can only imagine the warmth on this chilly early spring day in the UK. You have me lusting for outdoor food events.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:46:54 am
Thanks so much Kellie... it's cooling down here now, so you'll soon have good weather! Keep it that way for our visit, pretty please xo
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1/3/2015 12:58:17 am
OMG, those lanterns!! Nice to see Filipino food there - it's actually Inihaw na Baboy or Grilled Pork :). The Ferrero Reveal is so luring us right now, too!
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:47:36 am
Thanks so much for that GG team. I've corrected it. The Ferrero gelato was good too!
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1/3/2015 01:46:52 am
Wonderful to see that the Night Noodle Markets have reached Canberra. I've been to them in Sydney and Brisbane, and loved them. I'm sure it will grow into a very popular annual event.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:47:55 am
Thanks Christine, I think it will too!
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1/3/2015 09:37:05 am
lucky you - lucky Canberra! i'm so taken by the prettiness of all those colourful paper lanterns.
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:48:27 am
Thanks Elizabeth! Aren't the lanterns lovely! I think I want some in my courtyard!
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1/3/2015 09:53:13 am
This looks lovely - and the lanterns are magical. What a fun festival!
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:48:48 am
Thanks David, aren't they just!
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1/3/2015 12:08:44 pm
I can hardly wait to go too Liz! I have heard a few mixed reviews but there will always be a few teething problems with a new event - hopefully it will get bigger and better over the years :) x
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:49:44 am
I hope you get to go along, Bec! Yes, of course, as you say there are teething problems with new events... and some Canberrans are an impatient fickle bunch too!
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1/3/2015 01:08:18 pm
I love events like this. And right now, when it's no longer so hot, is a great time of year to be at a noodle market. Those pork skewers look really good xx
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Lizzy
2/3/2015 11:50:04 am
Yes, Charlie, a great time of the year in Canberra!
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Peter
2/3/2015 05:20:33 pm
I'm looking forward to going to this... you've told me so many good things about it.... but we need to go early, Bizzy.
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Lizzy
3/3/2015 07:26:16 am
I know, my love... I hope we can get there, I think you would enjoy it!
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5/3/2015 02:20:29 pm
Sooooo much fun! Have been 3 times already, heading back again on the weekend before they are done. :) Great event, so pleased the Berra is owning its foodie fabulous!!!
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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