Located upstairs at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, Winifred’s Place is a much more feminine (fluffy pink cushions, candles and rose gold decor) version of its sister restaurant Chez Frederic (CF). Winifred’s breaks away from the mostly pasta dishes of CF, bringing some quirkier dishes to diners. To be honest, Mr FPJ and I were at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets to try something else for lunch, but when that plan fell through, we decided to try Winifred’s instead.
Winifred’s has a unique latte collection with flavours like rose and earl grey, chamomile and lavendar, and banana and chocolate lattes. There’s a single origin dark hot chocolate available, as well as smoothies, juices and morning cocktails.
I ordered the rose and earl grey latte ($6) which was really more of an earl grey tea with milk in it and floral notes. Still really enjoyable. Mr FPJ started off with the cinnamon toast cocktail ($10.50) of rum, whisky, almond milk and cinnamon. We were both surprised but appreciative of the large serving size of the cocktail giving Mr FPJ a nice buzz during lunch. He liked the cocktail so much, he recreated it at home later that weekend.
We ordered the mushroom fries with ricotta and caramelised onion sauce ($8.50). The mushrooms had been coated in bread crumbs and were a nice crunchy and juicy snack. The ricotta dip was fresh and delicious. Portion size was on the small side and seemed expensive for what it was.
I ordered the gnocchi with eggplant, carrots and bacon ($23.50). Similar to CF, these gnocchi pieces were fat and very filling. I liked the fresh eggplant and carrots, but I had a niggling feeling that it needed something else. Most people love the butter sauce but I would have liked a different cream-based sauce instead. It wasn’t until we had gone home that I realised the bacon was missing from the dish. That saltiness would have made it pretty tasty.
Mr FPJ wanted a light meal and chose the soup of the day which was parsnip and potato that weekend (unsure of price). This came with some sourdough bread and butter. He wasn’t sure what to expect with a parsnip soup but ended up loving his choice. The soup was very flavoursome and wholesome. He would go back for another serve and to try some other soups.
During lunch, I got to look at the breakfast menu which looked really interesting and I remember thinking I had to go back for breakfast one weekend. So a few weeks later, I did just that. I tried the banana and chocolate latte ($6) which again was more of milk chocolate drink. I could taste real bananas in it (they must have been blended in with the milk). I’ll need to try some of the iced drinks in the warmer months.
I tried the sweet potato waffle with coriander cream and prawns ($22.50). The two waffles were very light and soft. I couldn’t really taste the sweet potato but I could see small shreds of it. Each waffle square had been filled with some coriander cream – very subtle on the coriander. I loved the prawns and the fragrant prawn oil that was used. Who would have thought prawns and waffles went so well together? The chilli caramelised cashews were the best accompaniment to the dish adding sweetness and a hit of chilli. I really enjoyed the unique dish and it was pretty filling with two waffles (I didn’t finish it all). I would have liked more prawns but who wouldn’t?
My friend ordered the house baked brioche with leek and parmesan pesto, field mushrooms, baked beans, fried egg and kale chips ($18.50). She enjoyed the brioche which had been toasted and covered in a garlic butter spread, just like garlic bread. The kale chips weren’t really chips, but crisped up pieces of kale. A filling dish.
Service is always friendly and staff are happy to explain the dishes. I like that the menu changes according to the season (it’s changed since I last dined there), and I can now see pancake tacos on the menu (must investigate that dish). The CF pasta favourites are still on the menu such as the duck ravioli, and other classics like carbonara, risotto and cannelloni. You can purchase Winifred’s freshly made pasta (including gluten free) from the display fridge. The menu states there are heaps of sides available, just call out to the chefs who love a chat or ask the wait staff. As Winifred’s is located right in the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets (upstairs), you might as well do you grocery shopping. Very convenient.
Winifred’s Place
Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets
12 Dalby Street, Fyshwick, Canberra ACT
Opening hours:
Thursday: 7.30am – 2.00pm
Friday: 7.30am – 2.00pm; 5.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7.30am – 4.00pm
Foodgasm 7.5/10
Value for money 7/10
Service 7.5/10
FPJ score 22/30
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