NewActon's newest bakery, restaurant and bar has opened, with the industrial lux-styled A. Baker venue set to appeal to a wide crowd looking for everything from a croissant to a gin.

'A Baker' in New Acton was busy on its opening day.

Wednesday is the first full day of trading for the project, situated on Edinburgh Avenue across from the Palace Cinema, and co-owner Chris Dennis – part of the Two Before Ten coffee roasters team – said the open-plan venue was full early.

"For better or worse we kicked off with a little event by a graphics design company, so we were full to the brim from 7.30am," Mr Dennis said.

'A Baker' in New Acton was busy on its opening day.

"Artisan bakery is I suppose our hook, we are doing a lot of sourdough, and you combine that with a Two Before Ten [style] high-end coffee shop and an amazing restaurant all at once."

"The style is modern European, some really old-style sort of French and Italian recipes but done in modern ways – one of my favourites is the Murray Cod brandade (belly fillet), which they poach in milk, then season and blend out – like a Murray Cod mashed potato."

The kitchen team comes just about holus-bolus from the former Ten and a Half Catering, Fiona Wright's defunct business that did the catering at the National Gallery and ran Dieci e Mezzo.

'A Baker' in NewActon was busy on its opening day. 

Adam Bantock (formerly Dieci) and Bernd Brademann (who headed the kitchen at the gallery) head the kitchen. Also, Michael Gray from Ten and a Half now heads food and beverage for the Molonglo Group, which is a half-share partner in the venture.

The baker is Ruslan Salbiev, who moves to Canberra with his family from Melbourne, where he worked at Phillippa's Bakery and Vue de Monde.

Mr Dennis said the food was "Dieci quality" but service would be casual and accessible.

"We cater for everyone, from those wanting a business lunch to uni students and those watching a movie in the evening," he said.

The venue will roast its own coffee, using nearby Two Before Ten facilities.

Main meals start at $15 for a small plate and $28 for a large, with fresh trout, venison and duck ravioli some of the options.

The A. Baker eatery will be open seven days, 7am until 10pm, every day except Christmas Day. Bookings are not available.

Downstairs a new bar will also be open seven days, from about 5pm each day to midnight, with 30 Australian-made spirits available.

Source: Good Food, 18 September 2013