Change of direction for Ballarat gourmet hotspot

It is all change at Vesta x Jigs, the signature dining room at Ballarat’s award-winning Hotel Canberra. 

The restaurant has shifted focus to an a la carte offering as of this week, a move away from the previous six- or eight-course degustation menus celebrating 100% Victorian produce.

Executive chef Jigs Liwanag (ex Rockpool) has now adopted a contemporary a la carte menu from Wednesday to Saturdays in the dining room and bar. 

“We wanted to broaden our offer to the Ballarat community,” said general manager Pete Dillon. 

“We have been very focused on using 100% Victorian produce in our degustation-only menus, which has been exciting for our team, but we have to adapt to the changing demands of our customers.” 

The menu will still feature local produce from small artisan producers but the kitchen is moving to a zero-waste philosophy. 

“I love what Victoria has to offer with incredible produce and amazing culinary adventurers, but with an a la carte menu, I can be more creative and celebrate the very best of the seasons, if that has to come from a little further afield, like South Australian whiting or oysters from New South Wales," the chef says. 

Playing to his Filipino heritage and drawing on his eight years of experience cooking on a private yacht, Liwanag is excited to flex his creative muscles in a different way.

“Every place I have visited has provided me a little inspiration," he says. "I can meld influences from Italy and China together in one dish, I can use recipes my mum and grandma gave me, and I can pay homage to the street food of the Philippines, all at the same time.”

So think dishes like ceviche of kingfish with pickled strawberry and citrus dressing ($20, top image) and duck, elderberry pickle, pea puree and blackberry jus ($30, second image). There is also a six-course "feed me" menu for $120.

A beverage list with a focus on artisan, craft and alternative wine varietals has been designed to match the restaurant offer, with a small "cellar only" list also available.

Vesta x Jigs and Bobbys Bar at Hotel Canberra is at 812 Macarthur Street, Ballarat Central, serving the new menu from Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm. Bookings are highly recommended.

See www.hotelcanberra.au

Grande old Ballarat dame now a culinary hotspot

Pete Dillon used to be a marketing and communications specialist. Now he's sending out press releases about his own hotel and restaurants.

Dillon and his brother Paul took over the Hotel Canberra in Ballarat late last year and have gradually transformed the food offering with three different eateries on site.

 

Bobby's, a contemporary bar, showcasing 100% artisan, craft and small-batch beverages from across Victoria, along with grazing boards and nibbles, opened in late October. The Stables Café and Bar threw open its doors in November and now Vesta x Jigs restaurant is open.

The Stables is a seven-day licensed café incorporating 100-year-old heritage-listed stables, while Vesta x Jigs celebrates the growers, producers and artisans from all corners of Victoria, and sees chef Jigs Lawanag (ex Rockpool Melbourne) deliver a six-course degustation menu ($100pp) made up of 100% Victorian produce from Wednesday to Saturday.

"Our café is about 90% Victorian, but both Vesta x Jigs and Bobby's are 100% focused on food and beverage from every corner of Victoria," said chef Jigs.

"We have many friends on whose doors we have knocked, from the north east to the south west. Pete (GM Pete Dillon) has developed these relationships over decades and its so lovely to be able to call on these suppliers to grow our brand story."

Beverage pairings are offered alongside the constantly changing menu, that has influenced by cuisine from the chef's home country in the Philippines, as a well as Japan and Nordic cuisines.



“We have taken some time to build the offer for each part of the hotel as we go along,” says co-owner Paul Dillon. 

“We want to continue to evolve and are doing some work on the outside and al fresco dining as well as some plans for minor renovations in our accommodation space.

Each addition adds another layer to this grand old dame and will continue that evolution with new additions later this year.” he said.

Bookings are open at Vesta x Jigs but space is limited. Find out more at www.hotelcanberra.au.