Manuka, Canberra - Summer Impressions

Manuka, which lies nearby to and south of the Australian Parliament in the Australian Capital Territory of Canberra, is named after a tea tree from New Zealand.  It is a hub of fascinating architecture, dining, communal and lifestyle possibilities.  Above, fast food culture interposes with buildings from the 1920s onwards. Quiet but orderly and yet I felt more things can probably be lurking underneath - maybe undeclared or undisclosed deals, secret recipes, well dressed residents, the hint of wealth and health and a veneer of fascinating modern history.

Old fashioned cafe settings mingle side by side with contemporary designed spaces and multicultural choices. You can find Basque tapas and related fare on the first floor of the Capitol Cinema Complex at Legends, or Mexican at Francisco's at Bougainville Street.   Alanya Turkish has group banquet menus and Charlie Black is another choice for office or family gatherings.  Chef Surya Maharjan has a wide selection of Nepalese infused dishes in goat, fish, lamb, chicken and pork for his diners at the Taste of Himalaya, sited along Palmerston Lane.

A convent is related to St Christopher's Catholic Cathedral and forms an imposing presence over the low rise hops and buildings in Manuka, although officially the Cathedral is located in Forrest.  Members of Parliament have their opening year's formal prayers in this church.  Walking around on the way to breakfast, I also noticed the heritage Capitol Theatre.There is also an army tank placed at a junction in front of a military related site. The other landmark that impressed me is the Manuka Oval - when I was recently there, the site recently hosted a game between the West Indies and Australian national cricket teams.  Manuka's neighbouring suburb is Kingston and the politicians are never far away when Parliament is in session. Below, the courtyard of the Rydges Capital Hill, a bit jaded in my view but still providing several worthwhile guest facilities and within walking distance to Manuka restaurants and cafes.

The foodie scene in Manuka is full of possibilities, offering diversity, ambiance and culinary delight.
I caught up with Shibani and we had risotto at Belluci's Trattoria for a Thursday evening dinner, al fresco, at the corner of Franklin and Furneaux Streets. Belluci's was packed with diners that night  (service was smiling friendly and responsive). Abells' Kopi Tiam , in which chef Abell Ong served Straits Chinese, Indonesian and Malaysian styled food, is near by Belluci's. The Zucchero at Bougainville Street stocks the Italian coffee blend IIIy and throws in signature offerings like the chicken Caesar salad, the blueberry flavoured brulee and the lime or pear frangipani tart.  The Saffron provides a heady Mediterranean mix of Greek, Kosher and Halal cuisine and their Armenian styled lamb cutlets called the Castalita is a must try.

I am told that the way Canberrans pronounce Manuka is not the same manner as what should be the Maori version of the name of the tea tree.  I understand that in those days when Manuka was named, there was a high possibility that New Zealand may join the Australian Commonwealth.  Nevertheless, the precinct seems to be alive, on a summer's morning, with political connections, public presence, money and sophistication. Maybe I perceive the place as one to be stepping out , in style, in connectedness, in networking, in spaciousness and on the national stage.