Ondine: The restaurant that closed before it opened is ready for diners

"At least we had no regular customers to disappoint, and we hadn't even hired staff so we didn't have to let any one go," he says.

"It is what it is and we're getting through it day by day."

Now Ondine European Brasserie is open for dining in, with two dinner sittings per night, Tuesday to Saturday.

Ondine has been a long project Giordani says. When he sold Pulp Kitchen in 2017, he knew he wanted to open another restaurant with a focus on the classics of the European table at some point.

He's roped in Keaton McDonnell (Aubergine, The Ottoman) and Abel Barriler has come across from Les Bistronomes. Expectations are high.

And people have already had a little taste. Giordani says the takeaway menu proved popular during lockdown. They teamed up with Canberra Eats for delivery and locals were even coming in to the restaurant for pick ups.

"We dropped a lot of flyers in mailboxes and posted on social media, it was an interesting way to start," he says.

"People were looking for something different rather than pizza or Asian or burgers and they liked our menu which was good."

The takeaway menu features such classics as country pork terrine, French onion soup, beef bourguignon, a French cassoulet, a gratin dauphinois on the side, a creme brulee or an apple tart tatin for dessert, among other favourites.

For dining in, there's a table d'hote menu at the present, with plans to expand once restrictions are lifted further. At $69 for three courses, it's a great sampler of the direction the restaurant is heading.

Located next to the Canberra Deakin Football Club, Giordani isn't labelling the restaurant as fine-dining.

"We want people to be able to come in on a Tuesday night and just have some good simple food."

News keeps coming in as the doors open. Here's a few more options if you're keen to get of the house. Stay safe, be responsible.

Rebel Rebel, New Acton: From May 30, open seven days for lunch and dinner and weekend breakfasts. Bookings are encouraged. Half the restaurant will be turned into a providore selling house-made produce including take-home meals, baked goods, preserves, pickles, and alcohol.

Lanterne Rooms, Campbell: Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only, sitting one 6-7.30pm, sitting two: 7.30-9.30pm, choice of two set menus, $65pp or $85pp, notify of dietary requirements when booking. Takeaway still available Tuesday to Saturday, 5-8pm.

Chairman and Yip, Barton: Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only, sitting one 6-7.30pm, sitting two: 7.30-9.30pm, choice of two set menus, $65pp or $85pp, notify of dietary requirements when booking. Takeaway still available Tuesday to Saturday, 6-9pm.

Pilot, Ainslie: From June 3, stay tuned for fine details via the website. Last weekend of Pilot Presents on Sunday, May 24.

Eightysix, Braddon: two sittings Wednesday to Sunday, 6-8pm, 815pm-onwards. Each sitting limited to 10 people. Groups of six or more are automatically placed on the $85 tasting menu.

Les Bistronomes, Campbell: enjoy a French soiree for you and nine of your best friends. Eight-course degustation dinner with explanations from chef Clement Chauval. $120pp, +$60 for matching wines. Available May 26-30.

Agostini's, Kingston: open seven days, from 5.30pm. Three course dinner menu for $75pp. Takeaway still available.

Sage Dining Rooms, Ainslie: opening for private restaurant book outs from $2500 for 10 people.

Poachers Pantry, Murrumbateman: open seven days, 9.30am til 5pm, serving delicious picnic hampers for you to enjoy in the grounds.

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Molto Italian, Kingston: open for morning coffee and breakfast, seven days, with dinner from 5.30pm.

La Rustica, Kingston: Open for the 10 people maximum,from Wednesday to Saturday, two sittings at 5.30-6.45pm and 7pm-8.30pm. Delivery and takeaway still available.

Two Before Ten, various locations: Taking limited bookings for dine in on weekends at Aranda and Greenway. Not accepting walk-ins, except for takeaway. Time slots from 8am.

The Bolt Bar, Aranda: limited bookings available Tuesday to Thursday, 4-8pm; and Friday to Sunday, 2-8pm. Still doing takeaway.

D&K Kitchen, Lark Hill Winery: have reopened Friday to Sunday 12pm to 2pm for bookings up to 10 people.

Four Winds Vineyard, Murrumbateman: pizza oven and cellar door are open for pizza and wine meals. Check out their Facebook page for updated opening hours. y

Lerida Estate Wines, Collector: now open for dining in midweek or weekends.

Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan: Open seven days with bookings required, 12pm-8pm for dining in every day with takeaway and delivery services still available. Tap beer, drinks and our full menu available for diners. Bookings: 6297 1444.

Highball Express, City: open for two-hour drink and dine sessions at 3.30, 5.45, 8pm and 10.15pm. Get the girls together for the Girls' Night Out experience: a cocktail class, $65pp, learn to make (and drink) three cocktails, enjoy some nibbles from the menu. Maximum 10 per session.

Lerida Estate Wines, Lake George: open for seated dining seven days a week. Taking bookings for lunch (served between 11am-3.30pm) for tables of two and four. All bookings are for 1.5 hours and the new winter al la carte menu is available. Outside of the lunch service times coffee, cakes, cheese and charcuterie plates are still on offer.

Temporada, City: reopening with two set menus, $70pp or $90pp. Bookings essential.

The Boat House, Barton: six-course set menu matched with premium beverage selections by sommelier Kate Hibberson. Tickets available soon and will be $250pp including menu and matched alcoholic beverages or $225 including non alcoholic beverages. Available Thursday to Saturday evenings.

Muse Canberra, Kingston: reopening for takeaway and dine-in guests, seven days, 7am-12pm.

Grazing, Gundaroo: From May 28, two sittings each lunch and dinner: 11.45am and 1.45pm for lunch; 6pm and 8pm for dinner. Sitting times will go for an hour and 45mins. Bookings by phone and/or email only.

Barrio Collective Coffee, Braddon: Reopening for dining in, Friday, May 22

Bentham Street Bar and Pizza, Yarralumla: taking limited bookings by reservation only, with two sittings every evening (5.45-7.30pm, and 7.45pm onwards). Tables for two and four people will be available, and reservations will be taken by phone on 62827741. Minimum charge of $40 per head.

Krack'd Pepper Cafe, Gilmore: Reopened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friday, 11am-9pm, Saturday 8.30am-9pm and Sunday 8.30am-3pm.

Southern Cross Club (Woden Central, Valley Grille, Cornerstone Restaurant and Snapper on the Lake): dining will be by reservation only with seven 75 minute dining times available through the day and evening. The first sitting will be at 11am and the last each day at 8pm.

P.J O'Reilly's, City : Providing full menu and alcohol options. Book a table online up to 10 people through pjoreillys.com.au and sit indoors. Open Tuesdays - Fridays noon-2.30pm and 5.30pm till late and Saturday and Sunday from 5.30pm till late. Live music Fridays from 6pm.

The Howling Moon, Braddon: howl from the rooftop once again and welcome your pack (10 wolves max). With sunset snacks and beautifully designed shared and set menus we have something for everyone. Bookings are essential and can be made via phone or email.

La Cantina, Narrabundah: open seven nights from 5.30-9pm and Wednesday to Friday for lunch noon-2pm.

65 Northourne Restaurant and Wine Bar, City: Full menu sit-down or takeaway available, open Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm-late. Bookings essential call 02 6262 6522.

The Italian Place, Braddon: two sittings at lunch, noon-1.30pm, and 1.30 onwards; two sittings at dinner, 6-8pm and 8pm onwards. 10 people per sitting.

1882 Bar & Grill, Hall: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday (multiple sittings) and dinner Tuesday to Friday. Also continuing to offer takeaway Tuesday to Sunday, from 5pm.

Old Canberra Inn, Lyneham: Gather a group of your nearest and dearest - minimum of eight maximum of 10. Book a two-hour slot, 12-2pm, 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm, 8-10pm. (Please note you will need to vacate the room 15 minutes before the next booking to allow for cleaning). Get exclusive access to the Kookaburra room with a designated waiter to attend to your every desire. Smaller groups will be permitted if the room is unoccupied - feel free to call and check. Food must be consumed with each sitting.

Capital Brewing Co, Fyshwick: What do you get when you cross a global pandemic, a brewery and 10 people? A once-in-a-lifetime experience - the entire taproom to yourself with nine mates. $45pp you get the entire place to yourself for two hours, a tasting paddle, bar snacks, wings, fries and mac and cheese balls. Time slots available Friday through Sunday.

Zaab, Braddon: offering a Feed Menu at limited sittings.

Rye Cafe, Braddon.

BentSpoke Brewing Co, Braddon: The Brewpub is open, $40 gets your food and your choice of three beers from the onsite selection. Bookings essential.

Milky Lane, Braddon.

Otis Dining Hall, Kingston: Otis, Clonakilla and The Truffle Farm join forces for a chef's table event. $180pp, limited to 10. Six courses with matching wines. Bookings essential.

Sweet Bones, Braddon.

Assembly Bar, Braddon: open for breakfast through dinner. Walk-ins welcome for breakfast and lunch. Dinner must be prebooked.

XO, Narrabundah: two dinner sittings, seven nights a week. Lunch Tuesday to Friday.

Happy's Chinese Restaurant, City: Accepting customers with a first in best dressed policy until we reach capacity at 10.

The Front, Lyneham.

Walt and Burley, Kingston.

Kita Cafe, Narrabundah: a few tables outside to enjoy your light meal and coffee.

Chisholm Tavern, Chisholm: dinner Saturday nights, lunch during the week.

Sammy's at the Foreshore, Kingston.

Sunday in Canberra, Gungahlin.

Kynefin, Hall: Open 9-2 Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch, coffees and treats, and 5-8.30pm for dinner service on Friday and Saturday nights. Takeaway is available during these hours, as well as up to 10 dine-in customers. Fully licenced venue.

Contentious Character, Wamboin: Cellar door is open and takeaway lunch, dinner, and coffee will all still be available during our current trading hours 11am-8pm Thursday to Sunday.