AFR Top 100 restaurants: Canberra entrants stage special dinners

Earlier this year The Australian Financial Review selected the country's top 500 restaurants. The owners and chefs behind these restaurants are now busily choosing Australia's top 100 restaurants, which will be unveiled at an event in Sydney on May 18.

Canberra's had a good showing in the top 500 with restaurants like Lanterne Rooms and Aubergine in the running. And now they're celebrating with a series of special events and dinners ahead of the May 18 awards. Here's the list of Canberra events.

• Black Fire: Chef Paolo Milanesi prepares a feast of slow roasted meats from the northern Spanish region of Asturias, including suckling pig, lamb and seafood and pintxos. Six courses with matched wines. $110. Thursday, May 28, at 6pm. 45/38 Mort Street, Braddon. Bookings 6230 5921.
• Italian and Sons: A regional Tuscan dinner with matched Tuscan wines such as chianti and brunello. $85 or $119 with matched wines. Tuesday, May 26, at 6pm. 7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Bookings 6162 4888.
• Lilotang: An "all star" tasting menu featuring Japanese dishes cooked on the white charcoal robata grill. $80. May 19-22 and May 26-29 from 6pm. 1 Burbury Close, Barton. Bookings 6273 1424.
• Monster Kitchen & Bar: A brewery dinner featuring Byron Bay brewers Stone & Wood. Four courses of autumnal offerings from Sean McConnell matched to Stone & Wood beers. $85. Tuesday, May 19 at 6.30pm. Hotel Hotel, 25 Edinburgh Avenue. Bookings 6287 6287.
• Capitol Bar & Grill: An old school feast of classic dishes, home grown produce and grilled steaks with matched wines. $65. May 25-31 from 6pm. QT Canberra, 1 London Circuit, Acton. Bookings 6267 1488.
• Lanterne Rooms: A special tasting menu with signature Nyonya dishes and specialities. $76. May 19, 21-22 and 26-29 at 6pm. Blamey Place, Campbell. Bookings 6249 6889.
• Malamay: A seven course degustation dinner that showcases food from the west of China. $82. May 20-22 and 26-29 from 6pm. 1 Burbury Close, Barton. Bookings 6162 1220.