Pilu to open at Taronga Zoo

Do you like your exotic wildlife spotting with a Sardinian twist? Well, who else would Taronga Zoo have on its speed dial except Giovanni Pilu from twin-toqued northside restaurant Pilu at Freshwater.

Pilu has been brought in to open a cafe in the old Top Plaza Cafe site at the entrance to the zoo in early July. The good news is you don't have to access the zoo to use it, the not-so-good news is the name of the cafe is more of a mouthful than some of the marsupials lurking in the zoo.

Taronga Piazza Inspired by Giovanni Pilu will seat 80. The chef says the menu will include home-baked cakes and dishes such as a bowl of pasta with sausage ragu.

''I was approached by [global caterers] Restaurant Associates to do it. It really appealed to me. I want to change the perception of venues like this only doing theme park food.''