Pialligo Estate sneak peek*

* On Friday, 6 February Pialligo Estate hosted a range of ‘social media friends’ at its site in – you guessed it – Pialligo.

You might – no, you should – know of Pialligo Estate because of its award-winning bacon. And it’s not just one any award, but it’s been crowned the best artisan bacon in Australia. (And, in my humble view, it is. Fatty and meaty and just really tasty.) The bacon’s been sold throughout Canberra, including at our IGAs and Essential Ingredient, and has got a bit of a cult following – no surprises there.

I first met Charlie Costelloe at the Capital Region Farmer’s Markets where he was selling the delicious produce, but it wasn’t until we sat together on our Human Brochure discovery event that I learned more about Pialligo Estate and the plans there. So, we’ve been waiting patiently for it to open for a looong time. And on Friday, it officially does. This past Friday, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at what’s been going on out at Pialligo, and what we should expect.

All this time, I’ve thought Pialligo Estate was this quaint little property with a smokehouse, small vineyard, and a lovely restaurant. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Pialligo Estate is on 86 acres and is home to – yes – the vineyard, restaurant and smokehouse, but also a market garden, olive grove, orchard, bar, and separate, private dining hubs. To keep with the surprises, there’s an uninterrupted view to Parliament House.

Bold views to Parliament House and beyond

Private dining hubs among the landscaped lawns

A grand welcome

It’s visually appealing in ways I don’t expect, and that’s before I see the food. The lawns are beautifully landscaped and there’s attention to detail throughout – though some of the dining hubs are still awaiting finishing touches.

The restaurant has an area connected to a deck and opens right up for an indoor/outdoor experience. It’s hear I meet Kevin McCash oysters with verjuice and seaweed. The acidity marries with the creamy oysters but I test a few, just to make sure my first impressions are true.

On a long table in the middle of the room is a bar set against fresh produce, all straight from the farm. The bar offers cocktails, prosecco and Pialligo Estate’s own whites and reds.

The sun slithers lazily against the horizon and throughout the rest of the evening we enjoy the some gastronomic delights.

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Okay, okay, of course I’m going to give you some pictures.

There’s this (how generous are the thick slices?):

And this:

This too:

It wouldn’t be Pialligo Estate without a dose of pork:

And this! This is a cheesecake. With salted peanuts. And mango. I don’t even like mango and I LOVE this dish.

A strawberry textural feast:

And to conclude – well, I don’t even want to show you this: probably the most elaborate finger dessert I’ve seen (and enjoyed).

As one friend rightly said:

Thank you @pialligoestate for your generous hospitality. You have a venue where people can create memories. #visitcanberra #canberra

— Kylie-anne (@kylieanne04) February 6, 2015

This is a special venue doing special things. Canberra is a lucky place (but we already knew that!).

Date: Friday, 6 February 2015

Where: Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo

Want more? Pialligo Estate opens to the public this Friday, 13 February, and is taking bookings for Valentine’s Day. Call 02 6247 6060 and view the menu here.

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