Carrick Hill’s new $7m event space open, to feature new restaurant from family behind Chianti

A restaurant coming to the new $7m pavilion at Carrick Hill will offer stunning views and wood-fired pizza from the family behind one of Adelaide’s best-known eateries.

Carrick Hill’s new $7 million, 200-person multipurpose event space, Chianti restaurant and bar.

Boasting incredible views of the city and the sea, Carrick Hill’s new $7m pavilion – soon to become home to a new wood-oven restaurant from a renowned Adelaide hospitality family – has opened.

The pavilion includes an event space for up to 200 people as well as access to the historic home’s museum, bushland walks and extensive gardens.

But the real pearl will be a new restaurant from the Favaro family, who are behind the renowned Chianti restaurant and Bar Torino.

The casual dining restaurant - which has a name, but is yet to be revealed - is due to open around the end of the year.

Favaro Group managing director Jessica Favaro-Richards said the restaurant would bring “European vibes” to Carrick Hill.

Carrick Hill’s new $7 million 200-person multi-purpose event space, Chanti restaurant and bar.

“Visitors can enjoy antipasti, pizzas and a series of dishes cooked in the wood-fire oven,” she said.

Inside the new $7m Pavilion at Carrick Hill, where the new restaurant will open. Picture: Luke Simon

“We are looking forward to bringing a fun, laid back casual dining experience to Carrick Hill so you can enjoy the beautiful grounds from our veranda, with a spritz in hand.

“We couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new partnership and offering at Carrick Hill that adds to our existing portfolio of venues, Chianti Ristorante & Bar and Bar Torino.”

“The function centre on site, The Pavilion, is going to enhance the event offering at Carrick Hill, perfect for hosting beautiful weddings, corporate functions, and occasions. “

The pavilion will offer a multipurpose event space to host year-round functions and dining, offering visitors indoor or outdoor seating options as well as outstanding views of the gardens, city and sea.

Frank and Maria Favaro began their highly successful business 40 years ago at the original Chianti in Light Square, before relocating to Hutt St in 2001, with their children Jessica and Nick now running the restaurant and adjacent Bar Torino.

Artist impressions for the restaurant set to open soon in The Pavilion at Carrick Hill.

Artist impressions for the restaurant set to open soon in The Pavilion at Carrick Hill.

The Carrick Hill project was annouced in 2017 as part of a $9.5m plan to revamp the site over the next 20 years to attract more visitors. In 2016, Carrick Hill had more than 70,000 people and in 2022, 150,000 people visited, SA Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said.

“The combination of stunning scenery with incredible food and service will create an unforgettable dining and events experience,” she said.

Chairman of Carrick Hill Trust Scott Bryant said he wanted to acknowledge the team that helped conceive, fund and deliver the pavilion.

“The project was made possible through the contribution of a number of individual donors and the support of the Carrick Hill Foundation,” Mr Bryant said.

“We thank them and the Australian and state governments for their considerable contributions.”

Peter Kennedy, Chair of Carrick Hill Development Foundation, Susan McCormack, Director of Carrick Hill, Nick Favaro, Maria Favaro, Frank Favaro Jessica Favaro-Richards and Scott Bryant, Chair of Carrick Hill Trust. Picture: Domenic Scopelliti

The Fairytale Trail With A Princess event at Carrick Hill in 2022. Picture: Renee Clark

The project is a part of the $699m Adelaide City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and South Australian Governments and the City of Adelaide.

The project has also seen the addition of new carparking and improved visitor facilities and has been jointly funded through $3m of federal government funding $1m from the state government and $3m from the Carrick Hill Development Foundation via its fundraising and donation network.

Carrick Hill also boasts an extensive collection of art and interiors alongside the exhibition gallery and shop.

The beautiful landscaped and dog-friendly gardens are great for meeting friends or family and feature a storybook trail and winding paths through hedges and extensive lawns for picnics and play, as well as trails leading up into Carrick Hill’s 60 acres of native grey box bushland and links to the Yurebilla Trail.