Richard Moffatt, co-director of Meccanico Espresso & Wine, said Pastorale would be open to the public from Saturday night.

"It's been a long work in progress," he said.

"We started renovating October last year, and we are now at the business end, so on Wednesday and Thursday night we have trial runs.

"We have 30 close friends each night so the staff can get some practice where they are not under too much pressure but can get some frank and honest feedback."

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The new restaurant inside the 140-year-old building was set to open late last year, but the team faced some challenges.

Mr Moffatt explained that the build was a lot different from what they had experienced with their other business.

"It's a bigger project, and it makes it a little harder when it's a heritage-listed building," he said.

"Just trying to get stock in as well is very difficult, whether it's furniture or lights or builders waiting on their materials, it's been a bit slow."

The directors of Pastorale worked with a Wagga-born architect based in Canberra to design the re-fit and hired local builders to get the job done.

They are also working with a private farmer based in the Riverina to supply their fruit and vegetables, with all their lamb and beef being sourced from the region.

Mr Moffatt said he hopes to see more restaurants open in Wagga that will put the city on the "foodie destination" map.

"We're not there yet," he said.

"People are coming here for work from Monday to Thursday ... the foodie that is travelling is not coming to Wagga yet.

"I hope that other restaurants open up and follow our lead to have Wagga be first in people's minds."

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