michael's at walsh's

although this restaurant is attached to a pub, don't expect standard pub food, it's much, much better.
michael's atwalsh'sserves top quality restaurant meals, very generous sized serves and nothing that's out of a jar.
this restaurant is on the main street of queanbeyan - popular with locals and a hidden gem for canberrans in the know. it's a very short drive to the east of canberra and well worth going.
while there are a few standard pub dishes like chicken schnitzel & calamari & chips, they are way better than you might expect.
there is always an extensive specials board of amazing meals using fresh seasonal produce. there is also a lunch specials board, slightly smaller serving sizes & price. (see photos for today's offerings.)
the surf & turf is a renowned signature dish of perfectly cooked steak with masses of fresh seafood on top, served with a beautiful sauce. it's a big meal.
today we started with garlic bread - best we've ever had, nothing standard about it, it comes on turkish type bread, it's moist and so delicious.
i thoroughly enjoyed the beef and prawn pieces with chilli and garlic and pappadelle pasta. it was fabulous.
another person in our group had the mexican chicken schnitzel with chips - a big breast schnitzel with mexican mince, nachos, guacamole, cheese & sour cream. jalapeños & chilli come on the side. the verdict: delicious.
another had the slowed cooked lamb shoulder with prawns in a homemade thai green curry, with bok choy & rice. the verdict: amazing.
lastly, another had the jumbo calamari & chips. cooked perfectly, they were soft and delicious.
i noticed a sign at the restaurant door reminding patrons that they don't serve fast food, just great food as quickly as they can, so thanks for your patience. to me this sums up their approach to food - it's all about quality food here.
michael's is a great place for large groups, you order meals at the counter and drinks at the bar, so no need to split the bill. if you're after a more intimate dining experience, the restaurant is ideal.
the staff at michael's are helpful & friendly, regulars are noticed and welcomed. the place has a really great vibe, in that regard.
gift vouchers are also available for the restaurant.
all in all, our very favourite pub restaurant anywhere.

booked in for trivia night atwalsh'spub with a group of friends. i was pleasantly surprised to find an up-market pub menu and a good vibe as other tables filled up for the trivia night.
walsh's is a line-up to order bistro along the lines of a club bistro so it pays to get in quick if the line is short. the menu was varied and it would be hard to find somebody who would not be satisfied with what is on offer.
i'm a sucker for veal schnitzel (it seems to me that chicken schnitty has usurped the veal schnitty) and so ordered that. my partner had the chicken supreme. the veal itself was beautifully tender, however the crumb coating was a bit on the limp side. not soggy but definitely did not have that enjoyable mix of crispy'ness and softness. other than that it was a flavoursome and enjoyable schnitty. my partner's chicken was high in the comfort food stakes and was thoroughly enjoyed by a number of people in my group.
another disappointing aspect was that the schnitzel was served atop a mound of thin fries. the fries themselves were excellent but there were too many and i would have preferred thick cut chips. the gravy was rich but a little more gravy and  few less fries would have suited me better. unfortunately the token salad on the plate was also disappointing and i didn't bother trying it.
the prices, in my opinion, are a touch on the high side. they are in keeping with the quality but i would ba happier if the meal provided less fries and a decent salad (or vegies) rather than having to pay extra for a side salad or vegies.
overall though...it was a good meal and a very satisfying way to fill up before the trivia night started, which was a very good mid-week night out with friends.
i would very much recommendwalsh'sfor a meal and trivia with friends on a wednesday night in canberra/queanbeyan.

i'm struggling to think of better pub food than michael's atwalsh'sin canberra/queanbeyan. good food, value for money(serving sizes), interior is much nicer since renovations.