Pod Food
[1 right]It’s a lovely treat to feel like you’re getting ‘back to nature’ without really leaving Canberra’s urban environment. Pod Food in Pialligo offers such an opportunity, in one of Canberra’s more unique suburbs. Nestled in a quaint corner between Fyshwick and the airport, you’d never suspect Pialligo – a mecca for Canberra’s gardeners and landscapers – to be so close to heavy industries. But so it is, and, as you leave the multilane chaos and construction, and drive down the narrow and unmarked road between flowering trees and plant farms, you will find Pod Food. The feel is rustic and natural, with the restaurant set in a 1920s cottage. Wandering through the peaceful garden you enter the sheltered veranda and the serene space that is perfect for a relaxed meal with family and friends. [2 left]Pod Food even offers a four-course breakfast degustation menu – absolutely perfect for those who struggle to get their synapses firing. You can kick back without having to decide between which favourites you’d like to try, and simply let Chef Dan take you on a journey of flavour. The lunch and dinner menu sees a similar philosophy as breakfast, but with slightly heavier and more savoury edge. The degustation is there are well, but at this time becomes a five-course offering. There’s a real playfulness with the seasonal elements scattered through the mouth-watering selections, proving that the kitchen is enjoying creating the food as much as you are eating it. Matching pork crackling with fish, or bringing in a common ingredients presented in multiple ways, results in fantastic illustrations of the way Pod Food combines seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables across their menu, while playing with textures, styles and incredible techniques. With all this comes great wine. Pod Food’s wine list – awarded ‘Two Glasses’ by Gourmet Traveller’ – is filled with adventures. Thumb your way through the extensive list and make your selection, be it by-the-glass, half-bottle, or even a magnum. Importantly, there is a fantastic focus on varieties from the Canberra region that showcases the way local wines are achieving attention on a national level. For those looking for something from further afield, there’s plenty on offer from overseas, and the idea of enjoying Rimauresq Petit Rose from France, while basking in the sun out on the veranda, is a tempting way to spend an afternoon. Pod Food is perfect for functions of intimate gatherings. The restaurant is open for breakfast weekends only and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday (and Tuesdays from September to June) with dinner available Thursday to Saturday. Breakfast Degustation $40per person, 4 courses, 8.30-10:00am every weekend (see menu for food options). Click here to read Pod Food’s Dining Profile.