Pilu At Freshwater
Freshwater Beach, Moore Rd
Harbord, NSW 2096
$$$$$

I’ve been keen on visiting Pilu At Freshwater based on rave reviews I’d heard both online and offline, and the fact that it recently won the “Two Hats” award. However, it’s quite far away and is also really pricey, so I’d kept putting it off. Chris decided to surprise me with a reservation there for my birthday dinner last night 😀

Pilu At Freshwater

Looking at the restaurant

Inside

Situated smack bang on the beach, the restaurant offers spectacular ocean views through it’s large glass windows. The ambience is lively but classy and we were surprised that most of the tables were full despite being a weeknight. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to see the sunset, which was lovely 🙂 Service was professional and prompt, with every single waiter(ess) saying a cheery thanks-and-goodbye as we were leaving. Was, of course, completely and utterly stuffed after our meal.

Started off with the Zuppa Gallurese (Classic Sardinian dish of bread, Pecorino cheese and herbs, baked with a lamb broth). Decided on this because it sounded so unusual! The bread is actually baked in the soup for ages, so the soup totally soaks into the bread. Sounds a bit yuck, but it was lovely – the bread turned into a sort of a pudding consistency and had the most divine flavour punctuated with a distinct herb-y smell. So lovely and satisfying! Unfortunately, this and the bread rolls actually filled me, and that was before even the mains arrived 😉

Zuppa Gallurese $18
Classic Sardinian dish of bread, Pecorino cheese and herbs, baked with a lamb broth

‘Meczan’, Hofstatter – Alto Adige DOC – Pinot Nero $12
‘Serra Lori’, Argiolas – Isola dei Nuraghi IGT – Cannonau, Monica, Carignano, Bovale $9

Olive roll and sun-dried tomato roll

I opted for the Porcetto arrosto con salsa alle mele (Oven slow-roasted suckling pig with scented apple sauce) – their “signature dish”. Ooooooh ahhhhhh… I’ve never tasted more tender pork before, especially chunky pork. It was in all its melty glory and the flavour was divine (I’m normally not a huge pork lover). And the crackling?!?!??! Chris and I immediately declared it as “best crackling ever”. Really. It was thin and crisp and a bite released this insane burst of flavour. The texture was like a thin prawn cracker, all delicate and crisp. So good.

Porcetto arrosto con salsa alle mele $35
Oven slow-roasted suckling pig with scented apple sauce

Verdure di stagione $8
Seasonal vegetables

Patate fritte $9
Crispy fried baby kipfler potatoes

Chris took one quick look at the menu and decided almost immediately on the Brasato di manzo al Cannonau con topinambur al lardo (Wagyu beef brisket braised in Cannonau wine, served with Jerusalem artichokes roasted with Bangalow Pork lard). This wagyu beef was wagyu beef done right. The whole thing just melted.. it was like braised beef, so soft that a knife wasn’t needed, you could just use your fork to ease a piece from the chunk. I found the gravy/jus it came in on the salty side, but Chris had no complaints. The beef was an absolute jaw-dropper though, so luscious and I loved how the flavour both exploded and melted in my mouth with every bite.

Sides were Seasonal vegetables and Crispy fried baby kipfler potatoes. They were a necessary order since our mains didn’t really come with anything else, but both side dishes were pretty uninteresting INHO, especially considering the price!!

LEFT: Brasato di manzo al Cannonau con topinambur al lardo $38
Wagyu beef brisket braised in Cannonau wine, served with Jerusalem artichokes roasted with Bangalow Pork lard

RIGHT: Porcetto arrosto con salsa alle mele $35
Oven slow-roasted suckling pig with scented apple sauce

BACK: Verdure di stagione $8
Seasonal vegetables

BACK: Patate fritte $9
Crispy fried baby kipfler potatoes

Dessert came recommended by the waitress, the Seadas ripiena di ricotta (Typical Sardinian pastry filled with fresh ricotta, fried and served with warm honey). She made a wise choice, as it was unique and delightful. The pastry was crumbly yet crisp, with just the right amount of rich buttery flavour. The ricotta gave it a smooth, moist touch and the warm honey drizzled all over was total pleasure for the tastebuds. A very very lovely dessert to end a lovely meal.

Seadas ripiena di ricotta $15
Typical Sardinian pastry filled with fresh ricotta, fried and served with warm honey


THANKS honey for the lovely birthday dinner 😀

Happiness 🙂

Sunset