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QT Canberra’s celebrated restaurant, Capitol Bar and Grill is welcoming autumn with a new menu and wine list. Seamlessly blending the steakhouse’s reputation with an Italian flair, the seasonal additions include new star players in the grill department, comforting share dishes and a wine list by QT’s Wine Director Chris Morrison, that gives back to local winemakers recovering from the bushfires.

Overseen by QT Hotel’s Creative Director Robert Marchetti and Headed by Executive Chef Josh Smith-Thirkell, Capitol has built a name for its prime cuts and wood-fired theatrics. With the introduction of Chris Morrison in 2019 as QT Hotel’s Group Wine Director, Capitol’s wine list has extensively expanded, showcasing the best of old and new wine styles from innovative local producers, alongside traditional European classics.

On the food front, diners can expect heartening seasonal fare from local Australian producers. Smith-Thirkell anticipates the shared Swordfish to be a crowd favourite, served with burnt butter, capers and sea succulents and best enjoyed with good company and conversation.

Also sure to impress are fresh starters such as Stracciatella with heirloom tomatoes, basil and pangrattato, Lamb Tomahawks marinated in garlic and oregano, and Yellowfin Tuna Crostini with preserved lemon and horseradish. Joining the mains, are the Wood Grilled Yellowfin Tuna and Berkshire Pork Cutlets, whilst four new sides have been introduced including the Padrón Peppers, expected to pack a punch.

The menu finishes with three new sweet options including Rum Baba with orange chantilly, Cannoli with marsala pastry and sweet ricotta, and Vanilla Cheesecake with star anise and blood plum.

Effortlessly complementing the autumn food menu, Capitol’s newest edition of the wine list features an injection of more medium to full-bodied reds as the perfect accompaniment to the cooking techniques of the cooler season.

As proud advocates for the wines of the Canberra District and broader New South Walls wine communities, Director of Wine at QT Hotels Chris Morrison says, “If there is one thing we want our guests to feel when they drink wine at QT, it’s that there is a wine for everyone. We especially want drinking wine at QT to be a fun, immersive and demystifying experience”.

“There is something special about the Canberra wine-growing region, its cool climate, sense of innovation and relentless ambition to make wines that are perfectly suited to the way we drink today”.

The most distinctive feature of the autumn wine list, however, is found at the front. Following the devastation of the summer bushfires, QT Hotels have curated a thoughtful shortlist detailing wines from recovering vineyards. Guests can choose from Tumbarumba and Hilltop region wines, featuring Eden Road, Nick Spencer and Freeman, as well as local legends Lerida Estate, offering their proceeds to rebuild Vineyard posts in Tumbarumba.