Hot in the City: Dine beneath the night sky in the warmth of a Dining Dome

Have you spotted the Dining Dome at The Dock on the Kingston Foreshore yet? This new Canberra dining experience has brought a little slice of Europe to the nation’s capital, and it’s the first of many you’ll likely see pop up at venues in Canberra and the region over the coming months.

The unique private dining experience means you can now dine outdoors under the stars while staying warm and cosy in the thermo-regulated space where the temperature sits at about 24 degrees Celsius.

Inspired by similar domes in Europe where you can admire some amazing views while dining or even sleeping under the stars, Dining Dome founders Elaine and Tim Purser wanted to bring the Dining Dome to Canberra so people can still enjoy dining out over the winter months.

Business owners can hire or purchase a Dining Dome to give them extra dining areas for their customers, resulting in a potential increase in earnings. They can even be styled and customised to suit each business and location.

“After the year that was, we want Canberrans to enjoy dining out. They should not be limited by the cold winter conditions. Plus, we want to help businesses unlock outdoor dining opportunities that they perhaps didn’t know they had,” Mr Purser said.

Similar domes have been popping up around the world, allowing businesses to use outdoor spaces to offer COVID-19 safe dining.

“We’re really thrilled to bring the most exciting dining experience that is selling out all around the world to Canberra and the wonderful Canberra community,” he added.

No wet weather plan? No worries. If you have a booking in a dome, you don’t have to worry if it’s raining or even snowing because the domes are weather-resistant, so there’s no chance your booking will be cancelled.

They’re also environmentally friendly – retaining heat and reducing energy consumption during winter months.

The Dock Dome experience is $75 per person for a 3-course meal and includes your choice of beer or wine on arrival.

You’ll start with a grazing board of cheese, charcuterie, dips, antipasto, bread and crackers before indulging in a selection of three shared mains. The braised wagyu brisket with jus gras, dijon and chimichurri has my name all over it. Pair it with a side of charred broccolini, stracciatella and toasted sesame and I would be one happy dome diner.

Other mains include an organic pan-seared Atlantic salmon with crispy polenta and heirloom Napoli and a soba noodle dish (vegan) with wakame, Asian greens, chilli and miso dressing.

Roasted pumpkin and chat potatoes paired with accompaniments like confit garlic and rosemary are the other side dishes.

Dessert is Kate’s apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and crème anglaise, a comforting way to end a winter meal. Most of the mains and sides are already gluten-free and dairy-free to suit diners with dietary requirements.

The dome is ideal for group bookings and can seat up to 12 people. However, a minimum spend of 10 people per booking applies so it’s best to round up your colleagues, friends or family to enjoy your winter dining experience under the night sky.

The next dining location will be revealed soon, and I have an inkling that we’re going to see some pretty amazing Dining Dome experiences pop up in Canberra and Australia soon.

The Dock is located at 7/81 Giles St, Kingston. The Dock Dome can be booked from 5:30 pm Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm and 8:15 pm until late on Friday and Saturday and from 5:00 pm on Sunday. You can also enquire about bookings at other times and days.

Email [email protected] for more details about the dining experience in Canberra’s first Dining Dome.

Visit the Dining Dome website to find out more about hiring or purchasing a Dining Dome.

Original Article published by Amelia Bidgood on The RiotACT.