Morsels: Stripey Sundae for sale, new restaurant Wood & Coal, Coconine opens

Sundae sale
The pretty Stripey Sundae ice-cream parlour at Gold Creek is up for sale. Owner Yvette McKay is due to give birth to her third child in October and with a growing family taking up her time, she's looking for someone to carry on the business. "It's a lovely business but it's got lots of potential for growth that I won't be able to give it while I've got my hands full with the kids," she says. The Gold Creek location, she says, is a good one. "It's in a lovely area, it's a very relaxing place to be. People in Gold Creek are relaxed and happy and they're there for good reasons - the customers are great." McKay started Stripey Sundae just about a year and a half ago, turning it into a popular spot for kids parties and events. She says she's loved every minute of it. "It's been a great experience working for myself and it's a big confidence boost. Some people think it's a bit scary but I didn't want to wonder [whether I could run a business]. It's not as scary as you think." She'll be taking a break and doesn't rule out coming back to work with more interesting business ideas later. McKay also says she particularly enjoyed working with her ice-cream suppliers, including Mr Frugii, to come up with creative flavours. So if you're looking for a bit of a challenge combined with creativity - and you love ice-cream - get in touch. See stripeysundae.com.au for more.

Wood and Coal

Babar's Restaurant in the Canberra Centre on Bunda Street has closed and is making way for a new restaurant called Wood & Coal. We hear it will be focused on wood-fired and charcoal cooking, possibly with Greek influences. Watch this space.

Restaurant winners

The Restaurant and Catering Awards for the ACT were announced on Monday. Congratulations to Restaurant of the Year - Pulp Kitchen in Ainslie. Ricardo's at the Jamison Centre got three awards, taking out Best Breakfast Restaurant, Best Cafe and the Consumer Vote awards. Among the other winners, Autolyse was named Best Bakery, Sage was Best Contemporary Restaurant, and - somewhat redundantly - the now-defunct European was Best New Restaurant. The full list of winners is at restaurantcater.asn.au.

Truffle time
French restaurant Le Tres Bon in Bungendore is getting into the truffle spirit and will run two special dinners featuring truffles. The first meal is a five-course truffle degustation matched with "old world wines" on June 27 and the second with wines from the local area, including Domaine Rogha Croix and Lambert wines, on July 11. The two dinners are at 7pm and cost $165 a head. See letresbon.com.au to book.

Just Pomegranate
Last month we brought you the news that The European had changed hands and had been purchased by Erkin Esen, former head chef at Ottoman, and his wife Ziba. They've put in place a modern Oz menu with a Turkish and Mediterranean twist and they've changed the name to Pomegranate – the new sign, in a cheery bright red, has just gone up over the weekend.

Thai No 3
How many Thai restaurants can we have on the Kingston Foreshore? The third one, Coconine, has finally thrown open its doors. It's in between Chong Co and Max Brenner.

A boozy Saturday
The Taste of Two Regions comes to Canberra again on July 5-6, offering wine lovers the chance to sample wines from Rutherglen and the King Valley in northern Victoria. On Saturday afternoon there's the King Valley Winemakers Long Lunch which will be held at Pomegranate in Kingston at 12.30pm – five courses with Italian varietals such as prosecco, pinot grigio, sangiovese and nebbiolo with the winemakers. Tickets are $115. Bookings at winesofthekingvalley.com.au. On Saturday night there's the Rutherglen Winemakers dinner at The Boat House by the Lake at 6.30pm. The menu will be matched to Rutherglen wines. Tickets are $130. Bookings on winemakers.com.au. And on Sunday, July 6, there's the exhibition of Rutherglen and King Valley wines at QT Hotel, including sessions from top sommelier Franck Moreau. It runs from 10am-4pm. Tickets are $25-$30. See winemakers.com.au