The legendary eightysix restaurant has two locations now, serving both sides (identities?) of Canberra! The original, in Braddon, and now eightysix South in Woden.
The small and classy establishment serves a changing menu of fresh pasta and other Italian-inspired dishes and absolutely does not disappoint. They even offer takeaway!
I stopped in here to grab dinner to take home to my family on a Friday night. They usually open at six but opened a few minutes beforehand, and I was able to order immediately. The restaurant interior is dark and cozy, with a modern and minimalist feel. The menu is scrawled on a chalkboard that takes up a wall the full length of the restaurant, which is a really cool touch.
For takeaway, I ordered a broccolini starter, pumpkin tortellini, eggplant parm, and a lamb pappardelle. Unfortunately, I didn't receive the lamb, instead I was given the duck gnocchi. Disappointing, but didn't really matter as it was fantastic. I can't manage to make gnocchi appetizing cooking at home, but this was what every cookbook says it should be. Soft, pillowy potatoey goodness. The same for the tortellini, which though a bit sweet for my taste, was really nice.
For dessert we ordered tiramisu and a banoffee pie. Most will be aware tiramisu is made with booze, but I could actually taste the booze in this example, so be warned it is boozy for sure! The banoffee pie, which on sight I expected to be sickly sweet, was really well balanced by a salty graham cracker crust.
The most impressive part is that pasta doesn't usually travel well. By the time it gets home it's cold and stodgy. That was not the case with eightysix. Everything was absolutely delicious. Can't wait to dine-in! read more