Life

Dining Gems in Burpengary Worth Checking Out

Basil and Vine, Burpengary

Francesca Fargnoli believes dining out should be about sharing cuisine and creating special moments with family and friends.

It’s a philosophy she’s grown up with and is what drives everything she, her family and team do at Basil and Vine Italian Cafe.

It opened last June, with a focus on creating a place for family, friends and customers to enjoy traditional cuisine made from quality ingredients.

“Whenever my grandparents come out (to Australia from Italy), I think they love it more than me,” she says. Francesca has worked hard to perfected her pasta sauce for a dish she’s named after her grandfather, called Il Nonno (The Grandfather). It’s a spicy Napoli sauce with chilli, garlic and basil, served with gnocchi. Apparently, he loves it.

Regular customers seem to really enjoy pesto pollo on pizza or with pasta, while relaxing and connecting over great food.

“It’s just nice to be in an environment where everyone can get to enjoy it, no one has to think about the washing up and we’re happy to serve them and make their night special,” she says.

Basil and Vine is open seven days from 7.30am-2pm, and again from 5-9pm.

Shop 1, 173 Station Rd

Phone: 3888 5088

Woodpecker Bar and Grill, Burpengary

The steaks are a winner at Woodpecker Bar and Grill, according to venue manager Sean Miller.

They are the biggest seller on the menu and Sean says it’s all thanks to head chef Kristy-Lee Heiner, who joined the team about six months ago.

He says the bistro serves up classic pub food and offers chef specials that change every two weeks along with other specials during the week. There’s also great lunch and seniors menus.

You can enjoy live entertainment on Fridays from 8-9pm, with easy listening dinner music.

“It’s a very comfortable, happy hotel. We’ve got a good team. We all like coming to work and we have some great, supportive locals who are regulars,” he says.

The menu has everything from share plates, hand-stretched pizzas, burgers, pasta schnitzels, to steaks and Oreo cookies and cream cheesecake. Menu highlights for winter include curries, bangas and mash, beef pie.

Corner Rowley and Facer roads, Burpengary Meadows

Phone: 3888 7758