Muhammara red pepper dip. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Mango Weis. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Apple and Cinnamon Mule Vodka. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Lemon Myrtini. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Chorizo and olive skewers. Photo: Wendy Johnson
Tzatziki, minced beef, chilli and cheese pizza. Photo: Wendy Johnson
“Ambrosia Lounge creates concoctions to transport customers to Mount Olympus without the need for a chariot,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON.
About eight months ago, a groovy lounge opened in what may seem an unlikely place, inviting Canberrans to taste the “nectar of the gods”. Except, the place is perfect.
Why? Ambrosia Lounge is just down from locally owned and operated Ambrosia Distillery in the Dairy Flat Precinct, Fyshwick. It works well that the two operations are a stone’s throw from one another.
Ambrosia Lounge creates concoctions to transport customers to Mount Olympus without the need for a chariot.
We felt at home the minute we walked in, charmed by the pretty, colourful dried flowers displayed in empty decorative bottles of Ambrosia’s own vodka and gin. The boutique distillery is confident in its impressive array of products, including botanical gin, rose gin, mango vodka, lychee vodka and a new calamansi vodka.
The lounge has a cool vibe and a short, but interesting food menu, with everything designed to marry well with its creative cocktails. We settled into the cloth, olive green, lounge chairs on ground level, relaxed and comfy (Ambrosia Lounge has an upstairs area also).
Cocktails start with the Ambrosia Bump ($12), a shot of its vodka with flavour pearls. The list moves to other cocktails (all $20, with a happy hour some weekdays at $15). The extensive drinks list features sours, tequila, bourbons, whiskies and rum.
My Lemon Myrtini was as beautiful as it tasted (so much so I bought a bottle of the lemon myrtle vodka it’s made with). The cocktail also features St Germain (elderflower liqueur), limoncello and lemon juice… the mix is wonderfully refreshing.
One friend selected the Apple and Cinnamon Mule Vodka with ginger lime and beer, which was equally refreshing. For a bit of fun, the third member of our “lounge party” opted for the Mango Weis for its dessert-like characteristics. It was delish, with Ambrosia’s mango vodka mixed with Bacardi, coconut milk and lime juice.
Curious about the food (which changes over time), we ordered a selection of share plates and were mightily impressed, starting with marvellous burrata ($22). It was soft and served with punchy semi-fried tomatoes, sumac, chilli, olive oil, sea salt and toasted sourdough.
For a more intense flavour experience, we indulged in the fried chorizo, salty olives and semi-dried tomatoes, lovingly skewered and forming a circle around a dish of spicy, but complementary, peri peri sauce. We shared the Muhammara red pepper dip but agreed the flavour could be elevated a notch or two (dips are $8 each and come with pita chips).
A selection of tasty pita pizzas is on the menu (all $26), and we went with the Greek theme and ordered the one with tzatziki, minced beef, chilli and cheese. It was ideal.
Ambrosia Lounge is worth a trip to Dairy Flat Precinct, even if it means renting a chariot.
Who can be trusted?
In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.
If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.
Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.
Thank you,
Ian Meikle, editor
