My friends and I booked into Beltana Farm, the newest restaurant open in Pialligo. No it doesn’t
replace the former Pialligo Estate, it’s at a completely different address. I don’t even remember what
was here before this place. I’m a bit worried about parking as I drive in as I know there are
roadworks along Beltana Farm. Luckily, there’s a big carpark on the premises just inside the gate. Walk past the bookable yurts and cottages (staycation anyone?), and you’ll find the big restaurant building at the very end.
There is a tasting menu ($110 per person) and the a la carte menu. Drinks wise, I only look at the
three mocktails on the menu and order a hibiscus and thyme tonic ($14). The four of us agree on the tasting menu and add in an extra main and two desserts because YOLO.
First of all, the potato damper with whipped brie and burnt onion is AMAZING. Somehow it reminds
me of foie gras but lighter. The damper serving is bigger than expected, we get half a damper each. I
can seriously just eat this all day and be happy. It comes with a side of fresh breakfast radish for
some crunch. Fantastic start to dinner, but oh so filling. I did stop eating bread eventually. The truffle and cuttlefish salami is not like anything I’ve had before. I’ve never actually had a seafood
salami so this is a treat. And I love truffle so that made it even better.
I’m not 100% certain that I’ll like the charcoal ox tongue with lilli pilli and horseradish but it is much sweeter than expected and almost crunchy cooked on BBQ skewers. I finished the whole thing.
The swordfish is unfortunately bland and a little rubbery, but I do love the crunchy nduja, hazelnut, raisin
and pangrattato on top. Just give me that topping any day. The potato and carrot galette comes with buttermilk and tarragon, we hear a beautiful crunch as we cut through it and it’s still steaming hot.
The tasting menu provides a choice of two mains, but given there are four of us, we ask if we can
have one of each. I’m not sure if this is usually allowed but the manager allowed it for us. So we get
a half portion of each. The smoked lamb rump with apple sauce and mustard seed has a very gamey taste (especially the middle slices) which is a shame as it does look delectable. I tried the end slices which are darn good and delicious with the apple sauce. I can’t really taste any smokiness. Accompanying the mains are a salad with delicious but simple verjuice vinaigrette, and salt baked potatoes with rosemary salt.
The other main is a half crown roasted chicken with saltbush and stuffing. We prefer this to the
lamb. Unlucky for us, the plate is taken away before we realise the crunchy bits leftover are the
stuffing!
The additional main we add (extra $25 per person) is the rib eye with bone marrow, eschalots and
parsley. This is just superb and tastes as good as it looks. Super tender slices of beef, a lovely sticky
rich jus full of umami. More please!
The tasting menu’s dessert is the Anzac biscuit cheesecake with Pialligo honey and whiskey. I’m not
the biggest cheesecake person, so I kind of eat around this and have the biscuit crumbs. I’m glad
we order two additional desserts to share.
The pistachio puff is basically a choux with earl grey cremeux and figs. It is lovely and light with strawberries inside and I think a little bit of rose water? It would be perfect as an
afternoon tea snack with a favourite pot of tea. My favourite dessert on the menu so far.
Then we share the Beltana farm truffle icecream, cookies and cream, malt and coffee – my friends around the table agree it does have a lot going on. The chef tells us truffle reminds him of cookies and cream, but I can’t really make this out. However if you like truffle and coffee, this could be the dessert for you.
Would I go back? Yes absolutely! Good service, friendly staff that let us have half of each main rather
than choose the one main, and a spacious relaxed atmosphere. There’s a fireplace too, which will be so
popular in winter. At the end of the night, it’s already dark but I’m glad the road back to the carpark
is well lit with plenty of lamps.
See my reel of the experience below
Beltana Farm
14 Beltana Rd, Pialligo, Canberra
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