Matt Moran to open two Canberra venues

Celebrity chef Matt Moran is heading to the nation’s capital to open two new venues.

Moran is looking to open Italian steakhouse Compa and neighbouring sandwich bar, &Sando in Autumn this year.

While Compa will be the hero venue, &Sando is an intimate, yet casual sandwich-focused venue.

"Canberra feels like it's a bit of a hot spot at the moment," Moran said.

"It's a region I have been visiting for many years and I've been looking for opportunities in Canberra.

"I can't wait to open these two venues and have even more of a reason to spend time there."
Moran inspected the site recently and has been impressed with Canberra’s cuisine.

"We ate out quite a bit over a few days, went to a couple of little bars, it's pretty impressive," he says.

"We're also talking to a couple of producers too, we were impressed with Lach Cutting from Under bakery and some others."

Compa and &Sando will focus on local, seasonal produce and the menu will also include produce from Moran Family Farm including Black Angus and a selection of charcuterie cuts from the farm's Berkshire pigs.

Beef will be the hero of Compa, featuring some of Australia's best producers including Westholme Wagyu and Brooklyn Valley. The menu will also include a range of pastas and sides such as cacio e pepe mac and cheese; sweet peas and Moran's famous mash.

&Sando will be dine in and takeaway.

"&Sando will be my first sandwich shop," Moran told The Canberra Times.

"It's going to be a lot of fun ... I love a good sandwich, whether it's eating one at home or from one of the many great sandwich shops nearby. There has been a pretty big sandwich boom across Australia recently, and we look forward to bringing our own offer to the table".

Studio A-N have designed the interiors, combining a sleek and considered restaurant with a fun and relaxed sandwich bar.

Compa and &Sando will offer a combination of indoor and outdoor seating arrangements along Bunda St. Compa is set to accommodate a total of 116 patrons, while the adjacent &Sando will provide seating for 18 people.

Jonathan Jackson, 20^th February 2024