Poachers Pantry, Smokehouse Cafe

My mum and dad have recently moved away from Sydney into a place called Murrumbateman. You would think (well i thought) that it was near bateman's bay, but no it is near Canberra. So after finishing up at work for the year I headed down there to spend a week with them over Christmas.

On the day before i returned back to Sydney they took me around to all the wineries (there are so many there, part of the reason they decided to live there...) and lunch at this restaurant in the middle of nowhere.

It was a beautiful day and there were options to sit inside or out, but as walking in to retrieve our booking, we had to fight our way though a cloud of flies so chose to sit in. The pantry is attached to a winery and also produces it's own smoked goods which you can buy from their shop. As the cafe specialises in their smoked goods we decided to try one of the smokehouse platters to share as an entree. There were 2 different types, a meat and a seafood one (you can ask for a vegetarian one also). We chose the meat!

Smokehouse Meat Platter - $24

The platter doesn't look that big, but it seemed to go on forever with so many different things that were discovered as others were devoured. I am not sure what exactly was on there but there were about 4 different types of meats and about 5 dips which were all bursting with flavour and other antipasto type things. It says for 2 on the menu, but it was plenty for the 3 of us.

Accompanying bread

The platter also came with some bread which wasn't that much for the three of us, but i am glad they didn't give us any more cause then I definitely wouldn't have been able to even start my main course. Talking about mains there were ample choices to decide from with the menu also stating which dishes were gluten free, for all you gluten haters out there.

Potted Smoked Garlic Prawns - $22

With the prawns came barossa valley speck and goats cheese gnocchi which just melted in your mouth. After the platter i was quite full, but it tasted so good that i had to eat it all! There were so many huge prawns in there too which was fantastic.

Smoked Duck Salad - $24

Dad got the duck which Mum already picked that he was going to get it (which is something mum likes to do..). Didn't seem to have to much duck, but it was all hiding under the spinach, orange segments and walnuts. I love duck, but walnuts i do not. I am also still not a big fan of fruit in things. I like my fruit in desserts.

Smoked Lamb Cutlets - $29.50

Mum opted for the lamb cutlets with sweet potato mash, caramelised fig jam, and sweet potato chips (those are the shards that are hiding the lamb). Makes your mouth water doesn't it.

Next time we go there we have decided to get both the meat and seafood platter to share and then a couple of desserts like passion fruit curd and meringue tartlet, or Banana Tarte Tartin with hazelnut ice cream and butterscotch sauce!

Anyone in the Murrumbateman area doing a tour of the wineries must make this a destination not to miss. Make sure you make a booking though cause it is very popular!

They are open every Fri, Sat, Sun for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon tea and every day for tastings of their smoked meats and wines.

Poachers Pantry, Smokehouse Cafe
"Marakei"
431 Nanima Road
Hall ACT

Ph: 6230 2487