Have you spotted the little blue food trailer near the Fernwood entry at Westfield Belconnen? We hope (for your sake) you already know about it, but if you don’t, you’re in for a treat because delicious Sri Lankan street being is being dished up by Michael De Silva from Short Eats.
Michael has worked in hospitality for 20 years and he’s learnt everything he knows about cooking from his mum. Michael and his parents introduced the much loved and award-winning Cinnamon’s restaurant to the people of Melbourne more than 10 years ago. They’ve been cooking their flavoursome ‘home style’ food with love since, and can go through 300kgs of vegetables and 200kgs meat to feed their customers in one day!
Michael knew he wanted to introduce his family’s ‘home style’ cooking with big flavours to Canberrans when he moved to Canberra. Starting his venture in a food trailer made sense, especially given the current COVID-19 circumstances. Tasty food made from scratch and service with a smile from Michael and his team is what you should find at Short Eats.
The short menu features a selection of rice, curry and roti. Most dishes are gluten free, dairy free and vegan, and Michael even makes his own curry powder that contains 11 different ingredients. When we visited nothing on the menu was more than $18. Some of their staple dishes will always remain on the menu but expect a selection of specials that will change regularly.
We tried the classic curry, Kottu and a fish and lamb pan roll. Everything was fresh and full of flavour. The curry had the perfect amount of spice to give it a little kick but ask for extra spice if you want to feel the burn. There’s a small table and a few chairs but everything is made to go so you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. If the weather is nice, head down to the lake and find a nice spot like we did.
Kottu – cut roti stir fried with cabbage, carrot and curry topped with spring onion, capsicum and a fried egg 
Classic rice and curry. 
Fish and lamb pan rolls.
At this stage, Michael will be at his current location until January and the current opening hours are 11am-5pm Sunday-Monday and 11am-9pm Tuesday-Saturday.
DETAILS
Where: Near the Fernwood entrance at Westfield Belconnen
When: 11am-5pm Sunday-Monday and 11am-9pm Tuesday-Saturday.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shorteatsvan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shorteatsvan/
Photos by Amelia Bidgood from Eat Canberra.
Amelia Bidgood
Amelia is the Founder and Editor of Eat Canberra and the Founder and Managing Director of Eat Canberra Food Tours. She's a qualified journalist, presenter, freelance writer and also runs a boutique communications agency working with small business owners on all things social media, content creation and marketing. She's taught cheesemaking classes, judged hospitality and tourism awards, completed the WSET Level 1 Award In Wines, loves to cook and has travelled to 23 countries. She's also passionate about mental health and has recently started studying to become a Counsellor.