Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Restaurant: British India

Restaurant: British India
270 Morphett Steet
Adelaide SA
http://www.britishindia.net.au/
After months of reading reviews and trying to find time to go , I finally found the night for British India! It was a very busy weekend in Adelaide. The V8s were in town, and it was the last weekend of the Fringe. After a fantastic comedy show, we hiked down Gouger street for a late dinner. With the weekend so busy, it was not a huge surprise that our table wasn't ready when we arrived. We were seated outside to wait, and eventually asked if we wanted a drink while we did so. By the time the drinks came, we were ushered inside to our table.

There is nothing usual about the decor of British India, animal heads and portraits of kings adorne the walls, with the unique touch of delicate tea settings as lamp shades. Bizarre... yet really comfortable and appropriate!

Somehow I didn't find the taxidermied heads offensive of all. They seemed to blend in well with the dark wooden tables and high ceiling. It was so difficult to choose what to eat. Unique combinations and so many things I hadn't tried before made for a very tough time to make a decision!We started with a selection of relishes served with naan breads ($9). We were so hungry I think we would have appreciated more of everything .. more bread more dips...
I finally chose two entrees (which apparentely is what I ALWAYS do?!) settling firstly on the Kedergee. I had read a couple reviews of this dish, and was interested to try it. I had never tried, although had heard of kedergee so decided it was a must on this evening. Kedergee is slow cooked spicy rice and in this case, was accompanied with seared prawns and scallops, and finished with sour cream and dill. ($12). There was heaps of flavour in this dish, a soft peppery finish gave it the bite it needed. I really enjoyed it, despite not being the usual sort of thing I would order. The seafood was fresh in particular the scallops were sweet and juicy.
I followed the kedgeree with the Tandoori Quail. It was served on broken wheat porridge with saffron sauce ($10) and was magnificent! Wonderful flavour and cooked to perfection, I loved this dish! So reasonably priced too.We ordered mango chutney and raita for condiments of course. We recieved a huge amount of raita, and a tiny bowl of mango chutney. Much to our disappointment, the chutney consisted of one big chunk of mango in a small dish! Not really enough for four hungry people drinking wine late at night!

Fellow diners ordered a curry and the duck dish, both with nods of approval. The only complaint I got was the duck was slightly over-cooked, making it a bit too dry.
The wine list was great, and our beautiful New Zealand Mansion House Bay Sauv Blanc ($30) was crisp and wonderful on the warm evening. As you would expect, there are a number of different gins to choose from, and I will definately experiment with those next time.
There WILL be another visit to British India as I must try the braised beef with rhubarb. What a unique combination! Also will have to try the Thali room too.....

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Restaurant:Concubine

What a disappointment!!!!
A group of 20 of us, many driving up from Victor and Goolwa had the most terrible service.
My first experience of Concubine was sensational. The food was fabulous and Aubreen Lee was the perfect hostess. I had a long conversation with her about her menu etc that first day, and was delighted by her enthusiasm and foodie knowledge. I have since sent many a foodie friend to Concubine with high recommendation.
I am sure Ms Lee would have been embarrassed and appalled by the terrible and rude service we received. Not only were there 20 customers there spending big money, but many foodies were in the mix. And we all know how we gossip about our restaurant experiences.
Sorry Ms Lee........ I will always love Kenneth Ting's quail, but I cannot recommend Concubine as long as the service is so terrible.

Restaurant: Flying Fish

Restaurant: Flying Fish

As all my foodie friends are aware, I LOVE the Flying Fish. A new Autumn menu is on hand and it is fantastic. Make sure you check it out. The only problem with the menu is what to choose! I can't wait to go back!!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Restaurant: Hotel Elliot
The Strand
Port Elliott
http://www.hotelelliot.com.au/hotel_elliot_bistro.html
One of two pubs in Port Elliot, the Hotel Elliot stands out as a great place to meet up with friends. The decor is sleek yet comfortable with large open doors opening to an outside courtyard. A great spot for a cold Coopers in the summer.
We arrived just before six, and despite being early. The waiter was happy to take our order and get it into the kitchen. The place was already relatively busy, with the after work knock-off drinks crowd. The laughing and the constant steam of arrivals made for a great atmosphere.

The wine list was very generous with the local wines, with an excellent selection by the glass. I did find it a bit pricey for a pub however, with the Nepenthe Sauv Blanc selling at $9.50 a glass. A good selection of reds could have been complemented by an addition of a McLaren Vale Shiraz by the glass.
The menu had an excellent seafood range and some vegetarian options. Main courses were varied with steak, duck, chicken, lamb and kangaroo all making an appearance.
Specials adorn an outside blackboard with very reasonable prices almost every day of the week. Although we were there the night WITHOUT the specials, the Steak night apparetely is a local favourite


My daughter ordered the salt and pepper squid. The batter was light, and not oily. The squid was very tender... not rubbery at all. At $12.90, a very reasonably priced meal. The soy and sesame dipping sauce was a fantastic condiment!I ordered Wood Smoked Barossa Pork Kassler Chop. ($19.90) It was served on braised red cabbage, rhine potatoes, gravy ad apple chutney. It was absolutely FANTASTIC. The apple chutney was spicey and sweet and the red cabbage gave just the right combination of flavours. Accompanied by a cold Pale Ale, a dish I would highly recommend.

All and all I was very pleased with the service and food at the pub. We were in a rush to pick up my son fom soccer, and the friendly (and very good-looking I might add) bartender made sure the meals were out quickly and there was no compromise on taste or presentation.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Shopping: Absolutely Asian Groceries

Shopping:Absolutely Asian Groceries
531 Marion Road
South Plympton

From the outside you would be fooled into thinking this shop would have little to offer other than some deep fried spring rolls and perhaps Western style sweet and sour pork drying in the bain-marie... how wrong!
Although not a traditionally Asian shopping area of Adelaide, this shop has become a welcoming stop for locals. Easy access without the fighting for a parking spot, make the perfect stop on the way home.

Recently, they have expanded their range of take-away foods. Still carrying the fantastic laksa that made me a regular customer while living in Adelaide, they now also have a HUGE range of great take-away. Green Chicken Curry, Phad Thai, Fresh Spring Rolls, Thom Yum Soup... the list goes on.

The fresh Asian veggies are fantastic to find, and saves the shopping trip fighting the large crowds at Central Markets!

A huge range of dry goods are available. Conveniently, they have generally separated all goods according to countries they are from. Japan, China, India etc. Even Korean foods are available!While paying for my yummy treasures, I am so pleased with the friendliness and idle chit chat that always takes place here. Locals come and go, grabbing the paper, kids come in for an ice cream, and an elderly Chinese lady reaches for some unidentifiable frozen goods. Somehow, the staff know most everyone that comes in either by name or face ....everyone is acknowledged with a friendly hello.