TASTE TRAIL - POP-UP FOOD REVIEW

by A. Tablehopper

Piggyback – 1 Koorawtha Lane, Palmwoods

I am an ‘average joe’ who enjoys good food, not a food critic by profession, so excuse my lack of fancy terminology! I have not been paid to promote anyone – I am simply sharing my opinion on the hinterland eateries I visit, for their service/ambience and presentation/flavour. 

Anyone who likes Asian food will probably know this restaurant by now, but if not, let me tell you, you need to go, as soon as possible!

Having driven past numerous times, I had realised the regular queue meant this was worth the wait in line. However, I don’t generally queue these days, so I worked out the best time to go was early lunch or very early dinner. No problem.

With friends visiting from Melbourne, who always like to spruik their hometown for its vastly varied eateries and excellent coffee, the pressure was on, and Piggyback did us proud.

We ordered plates to share from friendly staff and the dishes all arrived within ten minutes. First to sample was the Ocean Trout roasted in Tom Yum paste, in a coconut kaffir lime curry. This was quite simply a taste explosion, with hints of lemongrass oil, and Thai basil, and it was so delicious that we wouldn’t let them take the bowl away until every spoonful was gone. 

The Green Chicken Curry came with cherry tomatoes, baby corn, kaffir lime, Thai basil and crispy shallots. It was perfectly cooked chicken, and an interesting combination of vegetables and flavours, with pops of sweet and sour, plus a comforting base sauce to soak up the jasmine rice.

The crowd favourite at our table by a whisker was the 10-hour Coconut Braised Beef, which was the most tender beef I think I’ve ever eaten, in a sweet fragrant curry with green beans, roasted coconut, peanuts, young coconut, kaffir lime, herbs and served with jasmine rice.

We also ordered Edamame with brown butter and Nori salt, which we all agreed was tasty, but way too large a portion for a side and we only ate about half of it. The Spring Rolls with Thai Yellow Chicken Curry were a popular choice for two of our party, especially the side of thinly sliced pickled ginger, and the banana and pickled ginger mayo.

We also had Korean Fried Chicken with chilli sauce, kimchi, pickled daikon, and miso ranch dressing, the flavours and textures all complemented each other perfectly. And Fried Scallion Bread with sesame, black vinegar and olive oil, which was large and round, and looked vaguely like a large camembert.

And the cocktails! Did I mention the cocktails? Giddy Geisha, Chilli Ginger Margarita…I had the Grapefruity special, very refreshing, and dangerously subtle in its alcoholic punch.

All in all the food was “excellent…, really bl**dy good” according to our friends from Melbourne, which gave us ammunition to try and convince them to move here, as we’d already given them great coffee and breakfast at High Tide Café at Mudjimba in the morning!

As we left, the venue was filling up fast, which livened up the atmosphere as we had arrived pretty early.  It’s a decent size, with outdoor seating as an option, although the seating isn’t the comfiest … but we will forgive them because the food more than makes up for it.