Note: I was invited to dine in, however all opinions are my own.
The popular Agostini’s (at the East Hotel in Kingston) has branched out with a new pop-up at Lark Hill Winery in Bungendore. It’s less than a 30 minute drive from our place, so we’re there in no time. It’s a Saturday lunch time, and the place is pretty much near capacity. There’s live music playing on the outdoor undercover deck with tables for two or three. It’s a hot 33 degree day and I’m glad to be sitting inside.
For $65 per person, it’s a 2-course limited menu similar to the Kingston menu, so no a la carte available. Dessert is offered separately. There are no mocktails on the drinks menu, so I ask our waitress who checks with the bar. They can make me a peach bellini mocktail and I’m happy with that.
Complimentary bread and olive oil is provided, and I love the thick roasted onion focaccia that’s also provided. Points for a nicer touch than just plain bread.
For the entree, we share the antipasto platter for two. It’s so much bigger than we expect and we slowly realise we’re going to be full before our mains arrive. I mean the 6 pieces of focaccia is filling enough, let alone the prosciutto, mortadella and salami, cheddar and taleggio cheeses, olives and side salad. The taleggio cheese is a new favourite of mine. Looking like melted goo on the plate, I assume it’s a kind of brie or camembert. Towards the end of a bite, I taste a super sharp funk. Mr FoodPornJournal describes it as sweat socks – an almost blue cheese but not quite. Agostini’s tell us it’s a cows milk cheese from Northern Italy, famous for being pungent.
The antipasto is a very generous portion that we’re both very happy with. Mr FoodPornJournal has one of the recommended wine pairings – the 2021 Dark Horse Vineyard Sangiovese.
For the mains, I choose the strozzapretti pasta with Queensland prawns, chilli, broccolini and bread crumbs. I forgot that I actually had this at the Kingston restaurant just a few weeks ago, but a seafood pasta is always my go-to. It is Mr FPJ’s first time having this dish and he absolutely loves it. The chilli has a real kick to it, but there’s no increase in the burn. The pasta sauce is like a seafood bisque – absolutely delicious. This is paired with the 2021 Lark Hill Vineyard Gruner Veltliner.
Mr FPJ has the lamb shank slow-cooked in Lark Hill Winery’s riesling with olive gremolata and green beans. This is equally good, cooked perfectly with soft tender meat but it’s the red wine reduction that has us salivating and wanting more. I love that the beans are perfectly crunchy too. This is paired with the 2021 Dark Horse Vineyard Shiraz Viognier.
We order a side of fries with parmesan, however this doesn’t arrive until we’ve finished both mains. We deliberately save the lamb shank plate so that we can dip the fries into the leftover red wine reduction. For a side dish, it’s a massive bowl and could easily feed four.
For dessert, we order the affogato with Frangelico (usually $20). The coffee is quite strong. I’m not a fan of liqueur but this hint of almond with coffee is pretty darn good.
Considering I had already ordered Agostini’s tiramisu a few weeks prior, I decided to try the pistachio semifreddo as something different. This is served with berries and crushed pistachios. I can definitely taste the pistachio but I can’t help thinking I should have got the affogato too.
Here’s a pic of the tiramisu. A little strong on the coffee for my palate. But I do like the addition of dark chocolate on top – just how my family makes it!
We honestly can’t decide which main is better. Both are so different and will be great in the colder months.
After lunch, we walk down the path to the Lark Hill Winery cellar door so Mr FPJ can do a tasting and buy a few bottles. Tastings start from $15. We end up buying a few rieslings and Gruner Veltliners.
The Agostini’s pop-up at Lark Hill Winery will be there until at least the end of the year. They’ve even started a little garden at Lark Hill for fresh herbs and other produce. If you don’t mind a short drive out of Canberra, live music, good Italian food, and a wine tasting, all within the vineyard, give this place a try (and make sure you have a designated driver).
Here’s a reel of the experience below.
Agostini’s pop-up at Lark Hill Winery
31 Joe Rocks Rd, Bungendore NSW
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