Pilot named ACT’s best restaurant in Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards
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Ainslie’s Pilot has been named ACT’s best restaurant tonight in the Gourmet Traveller 2022 Restaurant Awards.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the small suburban restaurant that opened in September 2019 – just six months before the pandemic – and has weathered two lockdowns. But an innovative and ever-changing menu that pushes the boundaries has cemented Pilot a loyal following and landed it at the top of Australian Gourmet Traveller’s (AGT) prestigious list of state and territory winners.
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The judges described Pilot as ‘confident, playful and polished’, adding that ‘A move to a blind, 10-course dégustation menu has only sharpened the focus of chef Malcolm Hanslow and his team, as they prepare each Goldilocks-sized portion with precision.’ They praised the harmonious work for the kitchen and floor staff that delivers, ‘a perfectly paced experience that never feels rushed – but will have you promptly out the door in two hours flat, even with relaxed banter between courses.’
This year, AGT singled out a winner from each state, which went on to become a finalist for the national Restaurant of the Year award. Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill, Victoria took out the coveted national award. Aubergine, Corella, RAKU and XO rounded out the ACT’s top five.
Grazing in Gundaroo was named amongst New South Wales’ (NSW) top 20 restaurants – the only one from regional NSW.
Shop 5/6 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie | pilotrestaurant.com
Feature image: Ashley St George
