“For Eleven on Monaro, positioned right on Queanbeyan’s main drag, disruptive road works haven’t stopped them – as a relatively new business – from investing in success,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON. 

Canberra restaurants, bars and cafés affected by the light rail construction project are facing mega challenges, including lack of accessibility, noise and limited parking.

Queanbeyan venues affected by the major six-month or more Monaro Street refresh are also feeling the pinch in a big way.

For Eleven on Monaro, positioned right on Queanbeyan’s main drag, the disruptive works haven’t stopped them – as a relatively new business – from investing in success.

Improvements include smartening up the back alfresco dining space, making it comfy in time for the cooler weather. Diners can access this sunny, protected and quiet space through Morisset Street, avoiding the chaos on Monaro altogether. 

Eleven on Monaro is owned by the former head chef of Pronto Italian, Aleksandar Trpkovski, and his wife Melissa. We visited to lend a touch of support.

We began with two glasses of light and zesty Balliamo Italian prosecco ($24 each) while studying the menu. 

Sharing is our style and lunch began with calamari fritti ($18 and a generous serve). The batter was light and crispy… the seafood soft and tender… and the side of aioli super creamy. We squirted fresh lemon on top before diving in. 

It’s a big thumbs up to Eleven on Monaro for its King prawns ($24 for four), cooked in the massive wood fire oven at the back of the restaurant. They were sweet and scrumptious.

Also deserving a thumb’s up were the zucchini fries ($16). Thick slices were coated, perfectly seasoned and then deep fried to perfection. We dipped them in more of that super creamy aioli. 

Pizzas with red tomato base and Fior Di Latte white base are on the menu and the Rustic was delicious. Chunks of Italian sausage added spice, thin slices of red onion sweetness and basil leaves herb tones (indeed, we would have loved even more). Plenty of parmesan was sprinkled about and overall the pizza hit the spot ($25) 

My only suggestions would be to vary the side garden salad, which was the same across three of our dishes. This might be fine for those not sharing but for us, it was a bit tedious.

Mains include Italian classics such as veal marsala ($34) and chicken parmigiana ($30). Eleven on Monaro offers a pan-seared salmon and a pan-seared barramundi, both with fried Tuscan potatoes ($36 each)

The wine list is far from extensive, but covers the bases. Prices are super reasonable, including with our Dal Zotto, an easy-drinking style pinot grigio ($55 a bottle; $14 by the glass). 

Eleven on Monaro’s décor is clean, smart and simple, with framed Italian-style posters adding a belissimo vibe. Some tableware is from local Bisonhome adding a touch of class.

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