Lunch @ Canvas

The last time we dined at Canvas it was August so it was about time for another visit.

On first glance at the menu the prices have definitely gone up with mains now in the $35-40 region. In the case of the wine list, nothing is under $30 and only 2 bottles are priced at $30.


For starters:



Paalo has a stew of Octopus, Sausage and Moghrabieh



I have the Stuffed Calamari with chickpeas and couscous

For mains:



Paalo has the vegetarian plate

and I have another starter



Stuffed quail with proscuitto - a really flavoursome dish it's the highlight of the meal.



We also order a side of garlic and rosemary roasted Kipflers

The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Level 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

web: Canvas Restaurant

Lunch @ Canvas

It's time to check-in at Canvas - Paalo opts for the 2-course lunch special and I opt to revisit a couple of dishes tasted previously.


Seared Quail with stuffed cabbage leaves, feta and green bean salad ($19)

It has changed somewhat, the stuffed cabbage leaf is no longer pan-roasted but taste-wise it's still very good.



Paalo's starter: Spicy Meatballs with egg

Just as Paalo likes it, the egg was barely set and the meatballs juicy, the spicy sauce demanding bread so as to savour it to the last.


Paalo's main: Slow cooked Lamb Shank with Saffron potato mash and green beans

Paalo especially enjoyed the saffron mash, the lamb was as tender as it should be. Quite a generous serve.

Seared Prawns on white bean mash with Confit rabbit spring rolls and parsley sauce ($21)

This hasn't really changed - as enjoyable as the first course. It's quite a large serve for what is a starter.

The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Level 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

Open - Bar:
7 days until late (1am license)

web:
www.canvasrestaurant.com.au

Lunch @ Canvas

It's only fitting that we celebrate Bastille Day by going out to dine - we return to Canvas and opt again for their lunch special.



Paalo's Choice: Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Mushroom and Taleggio Tart



My choice: Cortecce with Prawns, Roasted Red Pepper, Chilli and Tomato



Paalo's Choice: Lamb Rump and Lamb Sausage on baked beans



My Choice: Confit Duck Bastilla sitting on Beetroot Marmalade and served with Carrot Fritters


The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Level 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

Open - Bar:
7 days until late (1am license)

web:
www.canvasrestaurant.com.au

Lunch @ Canvas

It's incredibly cold so we're on the look out for someplace warm. Our first choice turns out a bust so we head over to take another look at Canvas.

We decide to try their 2 course lunch special, very reasonable at $29 with a glass of wine.



Paalo's Choice: Stuffed Calamari served with a saffron broth



My Choice: Pea Risotto with Seared Prawns



Paalo's Choice: Seared Salmon on crushed Kipflers



My Choice: Roasted Chicken Breast with Creamy Potatoes


The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Level 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

Open - Bar:
7 days until late (1am license)

web:
www.canvasrestaurant.com.au

Lunch @ Canvas

We don't celebrate Cinco de Mayo here in Australia but hey I'll use any excuse to have a leisurely lunch.

After quite a few attempts to return to Canvas - having found it closed we ended up dining across the road at The Undertaker - we turn up to actually find that it's open!

With the bar section full of LWL (ladies who lunch) an executive decision is made to try out the restaurant again.


Confit Duck Terrine and Foie Gras Parcel ($22)

Paalo's starter - there's a slight dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon over the filo wrapped foie gras. Paalo is impressed with the quantity and quality of foie gras.


Seared prawns with Rabbit Rillettes Spring Rolls served with a parsley sauce ($19)

This was my starter - 4 plump prawns with crispy tails intact. In the spring roll, finely shredded shiitake mushroom mixed with carrot, spring onion and shredded rabbit rillettes.


Mixed Vegetarian Treats ($26)

Paalo opted for something lighter for a main to counter his rich first course. On the plate we had Pumpkin Soup, Mushroom and Taleggio Tart, Spinach and Feta Triangle and Lemon Risotto.


Quail with Stuffed Cabbage Rolls ($18)

I decide to just have another starter and it's quite a hearty serving - a boned quail cooked till wonderfully crisp served with a meat stuffed cabbage roll. I especially loved the crunchy outer leaves of the roll.



For a side we opted for the Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Kipfler potatoes ($6.50).


Yoghurt Pannacotta and Rhubarb Tart with Vanilla Ice cream and Sesame Wafer ($14)

Paalo's dessert - the yoghurt certainly adding a good tang to the pannacotta, the tart was served warm and had quite a molten core.


Mixed Berry Pudding with Orange Custard and Cointreau Ice Cream ($14)

This was my dessert - my only complaint would be that the ice cream was too heavily flavoured with Cointreau.


The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Level 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

Open - Bar:
7 days until late (1am license)

web:
www.canvasrestaurant.com.au

Lunch @ Canvas

Canvas is an odd creature - located on the second floor of what is basically an office block. It also is one of these multipurpose venues - there's a large outside area, a formal dining room and a bar/cafe area.

It's also opposite another place, The Undertaker, that seems to be doing the same thing.

For today's lunch, we're in the formal dining area - there's another menu for the bar/outside area.


Butter, Dukka and Olive Oil

In the dinning room the bread along with this dish of butter, dukka and olive oil is gratis - in the bar/outside area you'll have to pay $4.50 for it.


Sauteed marinated quail with peppers, deep fried olives and herb salad ($16) - Quite a nice dish though the quail isn't as good as The Press Club.



Slow braised shallot tarte tartin with goats cheese and red wine syrup ($14.50)




Roasted rump of lamb with braised fennel and spiced sausage ($29.50)



Pan fried duck breast and leg confit bastilla with honey and jasmine ($29.50) - not sure where the jasmine was in this dish though the bastilla was the star of the dish.



Pistachio creme brulee with vanilla and honeycomb ice cream ($12)



Saffron Poached pear with Cinnamon pannacotta ($12)

The details
Canvas Restaurant and Bar
Levil 1, 302-320 Burwood Road
Hawthorn
Phone: 03 9819 2200

Open - Restaurant:
Monday - Friday: 10am - late
Saturday: 9am for breakfast; lunch/dinner until late
Sunday: Closed

Open - Bar:
7 days until late (1am license)

web
http://www.canvasrestaurant.com.au/