Executive Chef Josh Smith-Thirkell has launched Capitol Bar & Grill at Home. He is keeping busy in the QT kitchen, passionately preparing guest favourites including Gnocchetti Sardi with Roasted Red Peppers, Garlic, Chilli and Oregano and the Capitol Burger with Wagyu Beef Pattie, Martin’s Potato Bun, Burger Sauce, Tomato, Pickles, Onion and Fries.
Along with offering mix and match Chef’s selection with paired local wine or beer, Josh offers suggestions on how to create the ambience of dining out, while staying home.
Love that we can indulge in all things Capitol Bar & Grill at Home! Talk us through the offering.
We love it too! We wanted to bring Capitol Bar & Grill’s steakhouse reputation, paired with Italian flair into local homes. The offering is a mix of antipasto and cheese selections, our signature pasta and steaks as well as our Pollies Pie and Capitol Burger that have been on the menu since day one. Since our regulars can’t be with us in the dining room, we wanted to bring a little bit of nostalgia to their living rooms.
Sounds yum! So if it’s Friday night and I need to feed myself, partner and two kids. What do we order from Capitol Bar & Grill at Home and why?
First up, let’s keep the kids happy and order them some burgers and soft drink to share.
For the adults, let’s kick things off with our Antipasto. It’s comes with Mount Zero Olives, two year aged parmesan and freshly baked sourdough. I’m anchovies obsessed, so I’d also include our Tinned Ortiaz Anchovies. For mains, Capitol Bar & Grill is known for its stellar produce. With that in mind, you can’t go past the QT Rib Eye or Fillet. Both are served with red wine jus and watercress salad and shareable. To accompany, you’d order a couple of our signature sides – my go to’s are out Seasonal Greens with fennel and garlic butter and Crisp Potatoes with garlic and rosemary.
What about wine? I spy some delicious local drops.
Your eyes don’t deceive you! We’ve got our own wine shop heroing some of the best winemakers in the district. I’d opt for the 2017 Capital Wine ‘The Foreign Minister’ Sangiovese, it’s a great drop for this time of year and a super competitive price point.
How do we create a “restaurant feel” in our living rooms?
A restaurant feel is all about three things – music, lighting and temperature.
Select a playlist that reflects the way you want to feel. For me, I’m all about Aretha Franklin while snacking on antipasto and The Beatles when it comes to mains.
For lighting, we don’t all have dimmers in our dining rooms. Get creative with candles or lamps.
Lastly, get cosy with temperature. If dining outdoors, prep blankets or heaters. If indoors, my idyllic restaurant vibe is a comfortable 22 degrees.
Next, prep the good crockery and bust out the wine glasses you’ve been saving for a special occasion. There’s no time like the present.
What about when we’re cooking at home? What’s your go-to kitchen hack?
Always have anchovies on hand. They’re a umami that go with everything, and I mean everything. You’ll thank me later.
