South Australian Foodie

Restaurant: The Manse

2010-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: The Manse

142 Tynte St North Adelaide

http://www.themanserestaurant.com.au/home.html

There are two restaurants in Adelaide that are institutional in that celebratory dinner. Chloe's and the Manse. In celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary, we chose the degustation dinner at the Manse.

The beautiful old mansion was built in 1822, and its open fireplaces and traditional fittings make the most wonderful atmosphere to indulge in a French style dinner.

There was one other table at the restaurant, and they were close to us, so I was reluctant to use the flash.. making for not the best of photos. As it was a Tuesday night, the Grande Degustation was not $135 but $125 per person.

There were some substitutions from the printed menu, so the descriptions of all the dishes may not be thorough. I didn't realise this on the night unfortunately.

This first dish, compliments of the kitchen had a snapper tartare and a fennel foam.. it was not on the listed menu, so I do apologise for not knowing all the ingredients. It was a beautiful light starter.

This was one of the two favourites of the night. Yellow Fin King Fish, Jamon Iberico (as the dehydrated pork crackling) buckwheat and corn mousse. So fresh and delightful. The flavours were amazing and a perfect combination. The crackling gave just enough texture to the dish... a tiny crunch. The King Fish was incredibly fresh.

My husband is not an oyster fan, so the kitchen came up with this for him. Not sure of all that was in there, leeks and watercress and tomato...

The oyster in this dish was fresh as can be.. tasting of the sea. Fantastic. Strawberry was an surprise accompaniment with the oyster and the avocado foam. However fresh the oyster was, the dish really lacked flavour. The strawberries were only edging on ripe, so didn't have the sweetness needed to pull this dish off. The avocado was just not strong enough to carry the subtle oyster taste.

According the menu, the fois gras should have been whipped with a grape emulsion. I was really looking forward to that, and was very surprised by the substitution. The fois gras was breaded in in a flaky crust and accompanied by baked pineapple. A huge disappointment. The pineapple was as expected, ridiculously sweet for the fois gras. The crumbing left nothing for the pallet. There was not even a hint of the rich liver taste of the fois gras. It reminded me of cheap schnitzel night at the local pub. A $20 supplement was paid for this, and I can honestly say it was a complete rip off.

This was the second of my two favourite dishes of the evening. Lamb sweetbreads, speck, pickled cabbage, and worcestershire gel. I couldn't find a single fault in this dish. The speck was cooked to perfection with a bit of a caramelised top, the pickled cabbage was JUST pickled. Not the strong pickled taste of traditional saurkraut. Amazing. I could have had this in a large main serve easily.

This was such a pretty dish. Served with the Snapper (was listed as Blue Eye Trevally and substituted) and fresh peas with red cabbage paint on the side... the red cabbage consomme was poured over on serving. Such a warm, comforting dish. The glass noodles was reminiscent of a comfy chicken noodle soup and the cashew nut was a great addition. I loved the red cabbage paint on side of the plate, very clever. The peas tasted like they were shelled straight from the garden. Just wonderful.

This was another addition to the degustation menu. Berkshire pork loin with fennel pure, spiced sago and peach. I only had a little taste of this dish, and perhaps that doesn't give it justice, as I just didn't think it was that memorable. No stand out flavours, and the pork was edging on dry.

I love beetroot so this dish was a complete knock out for me. Beetroot puree, roasted baby beetroot, lamb... just sensational. The flavours were simple, and frankly not original but still a wonderful dish. The McLaren Vale grenache was one of the best wines I have ever had. I made a point of asking about it.. in hopes of picking up a drop next time I am in McLaren Vale, but was informed they only made 1200 bottles, so chances are pretty slim I will be picking up one of those!

I was excited about this dish, as it had an aged goats cheese and nashi pear. One of those matches made in heaven that would taste wonderful with the last sip of my grenache. Unfortunately, the honey filo pastries served with those traditionally wonderful flavours were just not good. Although giving nice texture to the dish, the were just too sweet.

This palate cleansing dessert was sensational. Sago, raspberry and amazing citrus granita.. it was like sherbert in the mouth. What a joy!

The final dish was a cheesecake meringue and lemon curd dessert. Lovely and light. A really nice way to end the dinner.

Although many courses to get through, we didn't leave the place feeling sickly full. The service was great, and the majority of dishes were sensational. My husband even ventured to say it was better than Tetsuya's degustation.......I think I will have to ponder that one. The disappointment over the fois gras really brings this down for me. It just wasn't consistent with the rest of the menu.

Comment: Responsible Foodie?

2010-04-20T02:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes being an adventurous foodie and an animal lover clashes.

There is often that thin line on what is acceptable on our plate and what isn't. At times it can be a struggle, and as someone passionate about our environment, there are times I ponder what my palate craves. I know I could do better.

Having said this, I am also aware of the millions of smaller creatures that die from rice and vegetable cultivation. The trick I suppose is to find a balance. At least it is for me.

There are some things however, I don't believe a "responsible" foodie should even contemplate. Endangered animals for example are finding their way into "underground" restaurants. Whale meat, pillaged from animals killed for "scientific research" surely is a no no. Shark fin soup has been off the hit list for years for foodies.... or so I thought.

Imagine my surprise and disgust to read Adelaide's Sunday Mail, April 18... discussing a soup that needs to be pre-ordered at a restaurant in North Adelaide. $450 a bowl... and no less than a kilo of shark fins! Putting aside the emotional attachment that I have to these spectacular creatures.. how much I want to see them next time I am diving, what disgusts me is how the fins get to our plate... it is waste and cruelty at its best.

For those who unfamiliar with this butchery, the sharks are rid of their fins when brought onto the boats, then thrown back in the sea to sink to their death. Cruel and wasteful.

What shocked me most about the article in the Mail, were the foodies promoting the soup. This included a self-proclaimed "seafood lover" famous chef, and a Masterchef finalist from last year. Shame on you both.

I am sure we all know of other things we should not be eating etc etc... the list is endless, and the conversation and arguments could go on forever, but there are some things that are completely cut and dry a no zone for consumption.

Enjoy, experiment and indulge.... but don't forget balance and respect.

I found a few web sites for those who are unfamiliar in shark finning:

http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/

http://www.stopsharkfinning.com/

http://www.sustainablewaters.com/shark-fin-soup-no-bloody-way/

Restaurant: Sparrow

2010-03-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: Sparrow Kitchen and Bar

10 O'Connell Street

North Adelaide

http://www.sparrowkitchenandbar.com.au/home.html

This would have to be my favourite restaurant at the moment. The food is absolutely incredible, and the atmosphere makes for a great night every time. It always feels like the happening place to be. Even on a Tuesday night, the place was fully booked. The music played is funky and fun, and the staff are generally laid back and friendly. It had been a few months since I had last been to Sparrow and was happy to recognise staff. The longevity of their wait staff surely reflects its comfortable familiar dining experience.

The wine list is good, with reasonable prices (approx $10 a glass). Local wines make a big showing, with New Zealand Sauv Blancs and French additions and of course Spanish wines rounding off the list. The variety by the bottle is massive, offering something in everybody's favourite grape and price range. Not surprisingly, the Sangria is a big favourite. Chosen for this evening was the Orange Sangria with aperol, gin, sparkling wine, fresh orange and pineapple juice. Very refreshing!

Keeping with the Spanish tradition, Sparrow has over a dozen sliced meats to choose from. The meat hanging in the fridge for diners to ponder and choose from is a fantastic display. Sliced to order, diners can choose from pork neck, to cured beef to the infamous jamon iberico.

Bread for the table ($2.50 per guest) combined with some thin slices of Guanciale ($8.90). The bread was so fresh and moist. Fabulous.

Sparrow's mini wagyu burger ($5.90). Probably the most talked about tapas on the menu, this dish is not only wonderful to taste but so cute! Its certainly becoming a bit of a Sparrow signature, so I would be very surprised if it ever budged from the menu.

Duck terrine, dark grape gel, tarrogon and witlof ($11.90). Brilliant! The presentation of this dish was just lovely. The colours and textures combined with a unique combination of flavours was excellent. The sweet dark grapes were a perfect contrast to the bitter witlof. The rich terrine was nothing short of spectacular.

Blue Swimmer Crab Cocktail ($6.90). This was probably my biggest disappointment of the night. The taste of the crab was over powered by the creamy sauce it was mixed in.

Chicken liver parfait, fig and fennel crostini, pickled walnuts ($9.90). I love the fig and fennel crostini. The pickled walnuts are fantastic with the rich liver. No matter how many times I have ordered this, I always run out of the crostini before I am finished with the parfait!

Hervey bay scallop, potato foam, hazelnuts ($5.50). Lovely combination but over before you hardly get started!

One of my favourite tapas of the evening Red wine poached egg, bone marrow, speck and brioche ($9.90). This dish was absolutely perfect. I still was thinking about it the next day. Just spectacular. Runny yolk over the brioche... sensational! The flavours were rich and wonderful. The tiny amount of speck gave it just the right amount of smokiness.

Although I stuck with the tapas for the evening, another guest at the table had a main of confit onion tart, spiced crumbs, labne, roasted cherry tomatoes ($31.90). A gorgeous looking dish, and by all accounts, very tasty! I just can't get over the price. $32 for vegetables seems just too excessive. You would have to love tomatoes if you ordered this, as a large percentage of the dish was the roasted cherry tomatoes.

As the table decided on dessert, I just couldn't resist ordering another tapas dish as an alternative. The Char-grilled octopus, potato, and paprika ($10.90) was recommended to me, and I wasn't disappointed. A very filling dish, the price was very reasonable considering its size. The octopus was cooked beautifully. Lovely and chewy without being rubbery, it was a wonderful contrast to the creamy mash potato. The Spanish paprika gave the dish a lovely warmth. Very much a comfort food dish, it would be wonderful on a cold Adelaide winter evening.

Creme Catalana ($8.90). By the look of heaven on my fellow diner's face as she took her first spoonful , this dessert was fantastic.

Churros, hazelnut chocolate sauce ($8.90)

Sparrow continues to win award after award, and praise from foodies and reviewers. I have now been there three times, and each time I am surprised and delighted with a new dish.

Shopping: The Fresh Fish Place

2010-01-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Shopping: The Fresh Fish Place

www.portlincolnseafood.com.au

Port Lincoln

On a recent visit to Port Lincoln, I was hard pressed to find a seafood shop believe it or not. Surprising that a town known for its tuna and Coffin Bay only up the road famous for its oysters, that the town isn't bursting with its local catch.

I was soon led to the Industrial area near the racetrack where the famous Makybe Diva grew to be a champion.

The shop not only had local catch, but local artist's work. I came home with a quirky little painting of a yellow fin tuna... perfect for the kitchen!

This is a working fish shop. An industrial shed used for the wholesale market sits out the back. The selection wasn't huge for the time we were there (January), but I managed to get some "spiders", scallops and kingfish.

As would be expected, the fish was irresistibly fresh. I have really grown to love Port Lincoln, and its fishing industry is truly what makes it special. The staff at Fresh Fish Place, were friendly, helpful and the prices were ridiculously cheap.

Restaurant: The Oysterbeds Good Food House

2010-01-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Oysterbeds Good Food House

61 Esplanade

Coffin Bay

Approximately 40kms from Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula is the picturesque town of Coffin Bay. Home to less than 700 people, the summer sees the town swell to 3000. It is no wonder why, as the bay is not only picture postcard perfect, but is home to an abundance of sea life drawing fishermen and nature lovers alike. The town was discovered by the famous explorer, Mathew Flinders in 1802 and was named after his friend Sir Isaac Coffin. I did find that bit of information a bit disappointing. I liked to think "coffin" may have had to do with a casket of some description as opposed to just the name of an explorer's friend!

Being a foodie and oyster lover, it was a given that while holidaying in Port Lincoln, I had to take the pilgrimage to Coffin Bay for their famous oysters. Driving into town, the beautiful bay welcomed me with oyster beds, and across the road sat the Oysterbeds restaurant.

A cute, mainly outdoor restaurant drew us in with their amazing specials board. I was of course, on the hunt for oysters but was tempted by a number of things on offer. We were disappointed that there were no outside tables left, but settled inside after ordering from the friendly bar staff.

Inside, the walls were covered in a local photographer's work. Interesting art, but something in the restaurant seems to be missing. Perhaps its the 90s style chairs, it just lacked character. Also unfortunate was the fact that the smokers outside were sitting close to the door, allowing the toxic smell to filter into the inside of the restaurant. The music playing was great. A Leonard Cohen tribute album played while we had lunch... a great choice! I noticed they occasionally have live music as well. I can't think of anything better.... looking out at the Bay and the oyster beds that call it home, while eating oysters, drinking Sauv Blanc and listening to some live Jazz.

We had a bottle of Adelaide Hills wine, "The Lane" ($38). Not a bad drop, but not near the quality of a good NZ Sauvy. The Adelaide Hills are getting better and better but I think we are still a few years out from having a Sauv Blanc to rival the Kiwis! The kids had the regular blood orange pelligrinni, which unfortunately was forgotten by the waitress. Quickly rectified, the kids enjoyed a couple as we leisurely drank our wine and took in the view.

With so many choices of different ways to have my heavenly oysters, I finally settled on 1/2 doz natural ($11) and 1/2 doz Chilli Teaser ($14). The oysters were so fresh just as you would expect. How lucky is South Australia to have the BEST oysters in the world!? The oysters were perfect. I loved the touch of the little seashells on the salt. A great presentation. Drawn back later in the week for a day of fishing out on the bay, we went back to the Oysterbeds and I tried the lime and sweet chilli ($12) with the natural. All were equally as wonderful and fresh.

As much as I loved my oysters, the stand out dish was definitely the Coconut Lime Calamari and Prawns ($20e/$32m). A flawless dish with so much flavour. The batter was so light, it was almost non-existent, just there to hold the flavour. The crunchy salad was a great contrast. On our second trip to the Oysterbeds, we ordered the Salt and Pepper Calamari and Prawn special. It was just as good. Using dukkah as the batter in that case was an interesting and welcome to change to the regular Salt and Pepper seasoning.

The Sashimi of Kingfish and Bluefin Tuna ($20) was fresh and served simply in a Japanese style. Although incredibly fresh and tender, the price tag of $20 seemed a bit excessive. It was quite a small serve for that cost.

The kids menu was fantastic. Loads of choices from Scotch Fillet, to Fish to the decided Ham and Cheese Pizza ($8.90). Not only were there 3 different types of pizza to choose from, the base was obviously homemade and the ham was beautiful pieces cut from the bone.

The menu was definitely a seafood lovers menu, but I don't think that a person would struggle to find something appealing that wasn't seafood. I have fallen in love with the beautiful Coffin Bay and its fresh bounty. The Oysterbeds is a showboat of local delights and well worth the visit.

Restaurant: The Bridgewater Mill

2010-01-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Bridgewater Mill

http://www.petaluma.com.au/?show=restaurant

Mt Barker Rd

Bridgewater, SA

If you are looking for that "special" place for lunch in the Adelaide Hills, you just can't get past the Bridgewater Mill. The Mill has set a gold class standard when it comes to both that business and the romantic lunch. It is one of THE special occasion restaurants and is a must-do for restaurant lovers.

The Mill was actually the first water powered flour mill to operate in South Australia in the 1860s. It is a beautiful bluestone building that not only houses the amazing restaurant, but an equally amazing cellar door.

(photo from their web site)

The Mill's chef, Le Tu Thai is nothing short of brilliant. A Vietnamese boat refugee, that started out as a kitchen hand at 16, he is now easily one of Australia's best chefs. I love a feel good story of hardship and success and Le Tu Thai's story is one of those that truly tug at your heart. He was originally from Vietnam, and fled Saigon with his sister, leaving his Chinese parents behind in 1978. After arriving off Australia's northern coast, they were relocated from Darwin to Adelaide. Le started working in 1979 washing dishes in a a French restaurant, and the rest is history as they say. The chef of L'Epicurean (Jean Mahe) , took Le under his wing and he moved from kitchen hand to chef. He cemented his reputation at the Mill, and continues to surprise and delight through his ever-changing menu. The food at the Mill is definitely French, but Le uniquely weaves his Asian heritage into the dishes.

Doubling with a cellar door definitely has its perks, particularly for wine lovers! Their range is varied(see list https://www.petaluma.com.au/ssl/process.php) catering to all. The Sauv Blanc is one of the best in Australia so it was only fitting that I indulged in one of my all-time favourite wines while dining at its namesake restaurant.

Trying to lay off the bread was pretty much impossible. The crusty warm roll was just too inviting.

You know when you are going to have a great lunch, when even the side green salad ($9) is a work of art. So pretty, and seriously.... the tomatoes were so sweet and fresh, I was expecting to see a veggie patch below us. The pure sweet tomato taste was reminiscent of my childhood, eating veggies from our extensive garden.

I started with the Wild Venisone Terrine with White Anchovy, tarragon aioli and frisee ($27). A beautifully executed dish. I don't taste the "wild" taste of venison in Australia, I suppose growing up in Canada and eating truly wild venison, I expect a more gamey taste. To be honest, I thought the terrine not only lacked that gamey taste I crave, but any taste at all. However, the little baby cornicans were cute and crunchy and the rolled anchovy was a fantastic addition.

Also ordered as an entree was the soup of the day...Hot and Sour Carrot and Coriander soup with Sesame Oil($24). What a brilliant soup. The sour after taste of the tamarind was perfect, and the coriander was subtle and wonderful. The only complaint I can come up with is it was a bit too large of a serve.

Awwwwww the pork belly. Look, I know that some people have a problem with it, and yes... it IS basically fat. Crispy on the top, chewy throughout.......... but full of flavour. I love Asian food, and pork belly is a welcome addition to many Asian dishes. The marriage of pork belly in this case of Braised Pork Belly with Seared Scallops, Bean and Pork Crackling Salad, Tamarind Glaze ($28) with the scallops was fantastic. The crunchy little salad was light and crunchy, a nice contrast to the rich pork and scallops.

I followed my entree with Salmon Tartare with Swet Pea Panna Cotta, Beetroot and Vinaigrette ($26). I loved the way this looked when it came out! Such delicate flavours. Wonderful and light. I never thought that beetroot and salmon would work so well together, but it really did. Definitely the highlight dish of the meal as far as I'm concerned.

Very rarely do I order dessert, but I just couldn't miss out after reading the dessert menu and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I had the Lemon glace souffle with Vanilla and Walnut Sable, Croser Curd and Cassis Foam ($18). I seriously was reluctant to eat this when it came out........just beautifully presented! Loved all the flavours together. Wonderful wonderful. LOVED the cassis foam.

Also ordered was the Passionfruit Tart with Almond Florentine, Apricot Yoghurt and Strawberry Parfait ($18). The strawberry parfait was excellent. Again, so beautifully presented,!

We finished with some spectacular coffee. What a lovely lunch. Even making the booking, I was already impressed by the friendliness of the staff. It was a beautiful summer day,and the veranda was a lovely place to sit to watch the wheel of the mill turn the water around. Financially, the Bridgewater Mill is not a place you could go every week, but it is certainly is a great special occasion spot. It always surprises me how a chef that has been entrenched at the same place for so long, can continue to surprise me.

Restaurant: The Grosvener Hotel

2009-12-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Grosvenor Hotel

Ocean Street

Victor Harbor

http://www.grosvenorvictor.com.au/index.html

(photos above from their website)

This old hotel in Victor Harbor is one of a few hotels in the small seaside town, and is argueabley the most enduring. The 100 year old building has located on the corner of Ocean St brings character on the busy tourist street.

The staff are generally very friendly here. A couple in particular are very attentive. I think the place suffers from the transient staff issue that most small town pubs contend with. Old wooden door fridges behind the bar are just fabulous. I would love to have them in my home. Beyond that however, the decor is pretty boring. A unique thing about the place, is its famous electric train that traces around the edge of the ceiling through the restaurant and bar. Kids have always talked about that train, but unfortunately it more often than not not running.

The menu is basic pub food.. but its good. I have always had a good steak here, and the cheap steak nights make it worth while.

The Grosvenor's claim to fame is having the best Chicken Parmigiana in town. It isn't the usual thing I would order, but by all accounts it is really good

The veggie bar is generally good, and is mostly well stocked.

The Grosvenor is just your basic town pub. Victor really lacks in the dining seen particularly with the competition a short drive away in nearby Port Elliot. They have developed a beer garden round the side, which is a fantastic addition and is getting a lot of use with interesting functions. It may be the highlight of the place.

Restaurant:The Star of Greece Cafe

2009-12-15T12:35:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Star of Greece Cafe

1 The Esplanade

Port Willunga

Overlooking the stunning waters at Port Willunga sits the iconic restaurant, The Star of Greece. A very popular leisurely lunch spot, this would have to be one of my favourite restaurants of all time. I have been lucky enough to not once have a bad meal here. A credit to the management and the chefs they choose.

The name can confuse, as this is NOT a Greek restaurant. It is named after a ship of the same name that hit bottom here in 1888. The ship was a solid, three masted iron ship, that couldn't fight the "once in a hundred year storm". It is hard to imagine that 18 men died as the remains of the ship lie not too far off shore. She ran aground at 3am however, and it wasn't until dawn that she was spotted. A rescue attempt didn't even get started until late afternoon. Over a hundred years have passed, and the wreck is now a popular dive site, being one of the easiest wrecks to access in the state. Check out this web site for photos of the wreck: http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/blog/lamposts/diving_on_the_star_of_greece.php

A beautiful summer day and a visit from my Grandma from Canada brought us to The Star of Greece for lunch. The scenery was breath taking. It was a perfect summer day with the sun sparkling on the different hues of the ocean. Like a postcard. The restaurant itself doesn't look anything spectacular, almost like a shack on the edge of the cliffs. Inside is quaint and cosy. Wine bottles from various special occasions line the the perimeter shelving and tables are crammed in as tight as they can be! Mismatched chairs and crockery set the scene for a casual feeling lunch.

We were lucky enough to be there the first day of their new menu. I haven't found the new menu online, but trust me... its amazing. I had a very hard time to choose what to eat. After having some bread to start with the most amazing olive oil (so fresh and no rancid after taste at all), we had the Poached Prawn, salmon roe, avocado mousse, tomato jelly and dandelion leaves ($19).

What a pretty dish! The flavours were so delicate and subtle. Just wonderful particularly on a hot summer day. The textures were spot-on. The chewy prawns, crunchy lettuce, the smooth jelly and avocado...perfect. The bowl they came in was really neat, very shallow, almost like a plate with a really wide rim that sloped downwards. Have to get me some of those!

To accompany our amazing food, I had a Shaw and Smith Sauv Blanc ($9) and Grandma settled on a lovely sparkling. Hesketh "The Proposition". Grandma loves her bubbles.

At this point we were entirely happy with our lunch. Everything was perfect. The staff were great, view fantastic, food amazing. We were served our drinks, bread and entre relatively quickly, and then to our disappointment, our main took a very long time to come out. Fair enough a large Xmas party table was seated in that time, but it got to the point where I had to ask about our next course. Despite this .... what eventually DID come was just amazing.

You know when you have one of those dishes that you reflect on, and remember forever as the "perfect" this or that.... well this is it. The perfect salad. Hands down the BEST salad I have EVER had. Ruby Red Salad- beeroot, watermelon,raspberry,red cabbage, goats curd and maple dressing ($17). I don't even know were to begin with this..... first of all if you have read my other posts, you would know I LOVE goats curd. I also love beetroot and the combination of the two is a match made in heaven. Watermelon in salad is the surprise ingredient of all my favourite summer salads and raspberries are my all-time favourite fruit. It was like chef Harley Ireland made this salad just for me! Again, the textures were varied with the crunchy cabbage to the smooth goats curd. The tart raspberries cut through the sweetness of the maple dressing perfectly. I can't find one thing wrong with this salad.

The new menu at the Star of Greece is one of the best menus I have seen. There is a strong focus on South Australian food from KI Haloumi, to Port Willunga Squid, Coffin Bay Oysters, King George Whiting....it goes on.

Our food was amazing. I don't know the chef's history (however google is going to get a work-out on that) but the attention to detail in colours, flavours and textures is incredible. I can't wait to go back.

Restaurant: The Hahndorf Inn

2009-12-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Hahndorf Inn

35 Main Road

Hahndorf, SA

http://www.hahndorfinn.com.au/The_Hahndorf_Inn_Hotel/Home.html

There is nothing better to say good-bye to a diet than German food. Losing those 5 kilos before Christmas, just had to go on hold for a day in Hahndorf!

Hahndorf is quaint historical town in the Adelaide Hills which was settled by Germans in the mid 1800s. "The history of the Hahndorf Inn goes back to 1853 when Gottlob Schuetze established the Australian Arms in a long fachwerk building at No. 46 Main Street. Mr Shuetze transferred his hotel to a single storied stone building over the road and changed the name to the Union Hotel in 1863. For many years, the Union Hotel was the scene of rollicking weddings, parties and musical evenings. Plays and learned lectures ranging from "Ancient Teutonic History" and "How to Make a Home Happy" added to the intellectual life of the conservative rural community. Many years later, when the South Eastern Freeway reached the village in 1972, it became the dining room of the renovated newly named The Hahndorf Inn"

(from: http://www.hahndorfinn.com.au/The_Hahndorf_Inn_Hotel/History.html, Inn).

Whenever in Hahndorf, I always eat at the Hahndorf Inn. I love the atmosphere, and the fact that the owner plays his accordian around the tables. I also appreciate and support the fact that the owner refuses to put pokies in his pub. GREAT DECISION!!! I wouldn't go here however if I didn't enjoy the food as well! Great simple German fare and cold frothy German beer on tap! Heaven!

Kassler Chop with Saurkraut and a pretzel

Most of the time I order kranskys and this visit, I ordered the chilli cheese kranskys with saurkraut, rhine potatoes and a pretzel with assorted mustards ($20.90). Huge amounts of food for around $20. I love cheese kranskys, and these were just wonderful. The saurkraut is really mild, so even those hesitant in the pickled cabbage would be able to stomach it. The assorted mustards used to be served in jars at the table, but now you dish some up on a plate from a side serving table. I liked having the Beerenburg jars brought the table... I am not sure why they changed it, perhaps people were messing up the jars, or even taking them... who knows.

There are 4 (I think) different German beers on tap. I had the lager as per usual. Light, but still 5.1% alcohol. The heavier beers go over 7%. I do not profess to know a whole lot about beer so I will leave my tasting notes to a simple, very cold very good beer!

The meals are simple, great value for money with no bells and whistles. You always know what you are going to get. Lunch has changed to bar service, but I don't actually miss the table service that much. There is a kids room which is great for the little ones, and the location is great for some before and after lunch browsing in the local shops. Just don't expect a "light" meal.... ..

Restaurant: Tranquilo

2009-11-25T12:21:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: Tranquilo

3 / 4 Mt Barker Road

Stirling

http://www.tranquilo.com.au/index.htm

I love a day in the Adelaide Hills, and Stirling would have to be one of my favourite spots. Although it was winter when we stopped here for lunch, there were still remnants of autumn leaves around. Stirling is a pretty little town, especially in the autumn. The trees are awash with golds and reds... just stunning. The warm fireplace inside Tranquilo was so inviting on a cold winter day, and we were seated next to the window. Perfect for people watching!

The wine list focussed on South Australian wines almost exclusively, and had tasting notes for each. A nice addition to a wine list! I am so impressed with South Australian restaurants taking advantage of and promoting their own state's abundance of great wine and produce. The prices were very reasonable as well, hovering around $7 a glass.

We were obviously famished when we arrived, as we polished off the dukkah before I even thought of taking a photo! It really was the best dukkah I have ever had. It had a lemony taste to it that cut through the nuts and seeds perfectly.

I had the Beef Bourguignon ($23.90). What a great comfort food on a cold day! Braised beef cheeks, Kanmantoo bacon and seasonal vegetables in a rich red wine gravy, served in a tagine with mashed roasted potato. Fantastic meal. I love anything served in a tagine. It is such a dramatic presentation, and make the most basic of stews look like a gourmet meal. The beef cheeks were tender to the point of melting in my mouth, and there was barely a hint of the red wine........a perfect beef bourguignon. Julia Child and Elizabeth David eat your heart out!

My husband had the South Australian Whiting ($21.50) .Coopers Ale Battered Fillets served with garden salad and saffron aioli. He was disappointed in this dish, as the fish didn't have a lot of flavour. The saffron aioli was really good though.

The coffee was very nice, and had information about the beans, the milk they use (Tweedvale Dairy in the Adelaide Hills) and an explanation of each type of coffee you could order. What a neat idea! Although we didn't have any dessert, the truffle tasting plate from South Australian chocolatier Cocolat, sounded like a GREAT idea!

What an enjoyable comforting lunch! Great for a winter day. The stand-out thing about this restaurant however, is its commitment to South Australian wine and produce! Good job!

Restaurant: Three Brother's Arms

2009-06-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: Three Brothers Arms pub

40 Venebles Rd Macclesfield SA

About 15kms out of Strathalbyn, in the quiet little town of Macclesfield is the Three Brothers Arms Pub. Cosy and inviting, the pub was originally called the Davenport Arms Hotel. It was built in 1841 and has an interesting history.

In the back beer garden, are the remains of the Goat's Head Brewery and a well sits in the back corner of the dining room.

Once used as a wishing well, many of the old Australian

pennies of yesteryear wishes can be seen embedded in the bar.

A town and pub of this age of course always has many a story to tell, and this one of course is no exception. Most interesting , was the curious death of a young Adelaide chemist. In April 1883, an inquest was held at the pub following the sudden death of Adelaide chemist, Robert Allott. He had been holidaying with a friend, local brewer Harry Conigrave. The inquest found no reason for the young man of 20 to have died, and so it remained a mystery.

What makes the situation so strange, is Allott wasn't ill and only became ill after receiving his "regular" medication from the local doctor, which he and two other doctors testified could not have killed Allott.

Although they found that local doctor Cecil Jackson was not at fault, rumours of his past soon surfaced which I think nowadays would have been looked into much further. Amongst other medical malpractices like illegal abortions, more importantly Jackson was accused of murdering his lover in Victoria. Elizabeth Maitland Hilder was the daughter and the sole heir of one of Jackson's wealthy patients. He had been attending Mr Hilder for a long time, and during the

time, Hilder became more and more ill. Elizabeth suddenly died, and the town took action, burning an effigy of Jackson, running him out of town. Curiously, when he left, Mr Hilder's health suddenly reversed, giving more kudos to the rumour that Jackson was poisoning him. (I got a lot of information from Curiosities of South Australia 4 by Russell Smith. These are great little books that I always take with me when having a country drive through South Australian and have seen a lot of little treasures because of it!)

Accompanied by my family (including my "surrogate" Australian family), we met up on a Friday night, next to a roaring fire at the pub.

We started with the Regional plate: bread, olives, Kanmantoo bacon, Kanmantoo Metwurst, Apple Chutney, Hamlet's Choizo Sausage, Woodside Goat's Curd and 3 Bros own Dukkah. ($22.90)

Absolutely the most wonderful start after the trek to the pub. The house made Dukkah was perfect! Just the right balance of spices and nuttiness, easily one of the best Dukkahs we have ever had and anything with goat's curd makes me happy! Beautifully presented, and full of local produce, fantastic.

I have made the pilgrimage to the butcher in Kanmantoo, buying bacon, metwurst and pepperonni. I think that they deserves their own blog, but will make mention of the absolutely fantastic products they deliver with their unique smokey fresh flavour. The butcher shop is situated behind a farm house, amongst the paddocks where you can just imagine Wilbur waiting for his fate!

The pub is famous for its large collection of beer. Apparently, it has over 300 beers available, focusing mainly on English beer. I tried the Landlord Timothy Taylors Sting Pale Ale (11.50 for 500ml) which was quite nice. I am not a big beer drinker, but I really did enjoy this. Interestingly, a few Canadian beers make the list, ones I have never heard of. I love that they have sourced boutique beers from around the world.

As there was such a large group, I didn't taste all dishes, but managed to get photos of most if not all that made it to the table!

Chicken Schnitzel Parmigiana (18.50) with added bacon.

I had the Twice Cooked Pork Belly with Cauliflower Cream, Garlic Broccolini and Plum Chutney ($22.50). Not a regular feature, I chose this delight from the specials board. I love pork belly, the crispy outside and tender inside is such a nice combination. I really enjoyed this , I thought the mash and broccolini were the perfect accompaniments to a really well done dish. Two of us ordered this, and I obviously got the better cut, as the other cut was mostly fat.

The 300gm MSA "1824" Porterhouse Cooked to Order with Olive Oil Mash, Spinach, House-made Tomato Chutney and Rosemary Butter (27.90) was cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. The steak was tasty and tender, but had obviously rested too long on a cold winter evening as it was getting on the cold side.

Grilled Lamb Burger on Turkish Bread and Basalmic Onions, Beetroot Relish, Whipped Fetta Salad and Chips (19.90)

Salt and Pepper Squid with Lemongrass, Ginger, Chilli, and Garlic Aioli (17.50). The squid was great, lightly dusted but the stand-out was the ailoli... magnificent!

Chicken Schnitzel with mushroom sauce (16.50)

Traditional Lamb's Fry and Bacon with Creamy Mash and Vegetables (16.50) was raved about by both her ordered it. Comments like how they remember it as a child, fantastic excellent were all mumbled from full mouths!

I obviously liked this dessert a lot and didn't write down the name of it! It looked to me like the perfect winter dessert.

Warm Lemon and yoghurt Cake with Poached

Quince, Toasted Almonds and Cream Chantilly (10.50)

Chocolate Peanut Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream and Iranian Fairy Floss (10.50)

I had a really great night at this pub. The atmosphere was cosy, warm and fun. It really is the perfect winter pub to visit. Mel Pritchard and Shane Ortis (formally of Coolngatta Cafe at Aldinga Beach) have done a great job settling into Macclesfield.

I think Mel has chosen the menu well, non-pretentious, good pub food. If she keeps the specials rotating, the permanent menu is perfect and what is expected in a country pub.

The beer list is intriguing and will attract menu lovers of the brew I am sure.

Shane is great in the bar, but a bit of that "chefness" in him comes out a little front of house. We were never asked if we wanted a second drink, despite only 5 tables being full most times during the evening, and he always seemed rushed and short with the customers. It almost felt like HE was doing US a favour by attending to us at times. Having said that however, by the end of the evening he was relaxed and friendly and our coffees came out very quickly!

Restaurant: Inman River Cafe

2009-06-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: Inman River Cafe

Approx 13kms from Victor Harbor on the

Inman Valley Road

www.inmanrivercafe.com

The drought in South Australia, claims another victim..... the Glacier Rock Golf Course responsibly closed down due lack of water supply, leaving the old club house standing.

Now a restaurant, this little gem of a place, settled in beautiful bushland cries out for a Sunday lunch after a drive through the rolling hills and gum trees. Although a wet, wintery day, the bird life was spectacular.

The decor of the place truely leaves much to be desired. It certainly lacks in comfort and style that could make it a much more desire able destination. ca

We started with the regional platter. The large chunk of brie was great value, and the duck rillettes are always a treat, but I could not for the life of me get over the large tossed salad. It seemed to be there to take up space, certainly not a sharing platter as would be expected.

My son ordered the Coorong Angus Beef Burger ($13.50) on a damper roll with cheese, onion,salad and sauce. The burger was huge, making it difficult to eat, but was fresh and tasty.

My Mum ordered the special which from memory was a cheese polenta cake with ratatouille. The polenta was dry and lacked the expected cheese flavour. Ratatouille is always hard to make look good, and this was no exception. A very disappointing dish.

I have been to this restaurant a couple times, and ordered this last time as well. The beetroot rosti with smoked salmon with a horseradish with dill cream sauce ($9.90) is fantastic value. The serving size of the salmon is more than generous, I can't imagine they would be making much of a profit on this!The presentation again is really lacking, but makes up in taste. I love the flavours in this dish. The sweet beetroot rosti, salty salmon and creamy sauce is just a magnificent combination.

The location of the cafe is definitely its highlight. There is an abundance of bird life and you really feel like you are in the country. I appreciate and support the decision to close down the golf course, and feel an obligation to support this place because of it. I am incredibly disappointed that the menu hasn't changed in at least 12 months. I could get past the decor if I could expect something innovative, seasonal and new on the menu. I can't order the smoked salmon EVERY time!

The cafe is open for lunch most days, and they have a theme night once a month that is supposed to be great. I am unable to go to this months "Sicilian" night, but will make sure to go in the next couple of months.

Restaurant:The Salopian Inn

2009-05-29T23:52:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: The Salopian Inn

Cnr McMurtrie & Main Rds

McLaren Vale

http://www.salopianinn.com.au/

A Sunday wine tasting and lunch day... what a better place than McLaren Vale to celebrate a friend's birthday! After tasting at a couple of wineries, we headed to The Salopian Inn for more wine and a long lunch.As we sat down, we were brought a platter of Baquette with Olive Oil and Salopian Butter ($2.50). Only thing missing was a bit of goats curd. The "birthday girl" put in the request and voila the goats curd was added to our platter! Prior to arriving at the Salopian, we went to Coriole for tasting. One wine we were unable to taste was the obscure grape, Fiano. They DID have a few bottles for sale, so we all pitched in and purchased a bottle to start our lunch with.

The tasting notes stated that the wine is sprightly and bright, with the up-front, natural acidity typical of the variety; aromas of grapefruit, lemon and green apple are augmented by touches of frangipani and fresh herbs. The palate is refreshing, with the signature long texture of the variety.

As none of us had tried it before, it was interesting to find out that The grape variety Fiano originates from the Campania region east of Naples. It is a very shy bearer which probably explains why until recently it was only planted in a small acreage. It was probably more common to find it in ancient Roman times. The variety takes its name from the Latin 'vitis apiana', as the grapes, when left on the vines, proved to be irresistible to bees.

I think we all agreed it was a really nice starter wine and was great with our baguette and goats curd! Very refreshing, easy drinking wine. (We were also pleased to see we paid only $25 for the bottle at the winery, and the restaurant was selling it at $45).Among 7 women, the Coriole bottle didn't last long of course so it was time for an excursion down to the cellar. I love this part of any restaurant, but the Salopian cellar really does have a nice feel about it. Filled with McLaren Vale shiraz amongst others, we spent a long time browsing...and taking photos of each other amongst the bottles!I settled on a mid-range Shiraz. It was a big McLaren Vale Shiraz... just what you need on a cold, wet wintery day!I started with the Lamb's Kidney Sauteed in brandy, garlic and parsley with deep fried onion rings ($18). I do try to order things I would never make at home, and this is no exception. The strong taste of offal is definitely not for some, but I really enjoyed this dish. The rich gravy and heavy meat, make for a great winter dish. An entree size is definitely enough however, the strong flavour is just too much for any bigger size.For my main course, I decided on the Whole Garfish in a prawn and leek souffle accompanied by a butter sauce and Yarra Valley Salmon Roe ($18) . A perfect pretty dish, I couldn't fault it at all. The whole garfish made for interesting presentation, and the salmon Roe was a perfect texture with the the delicate souffle. Extraordinary! We all shared Organic Potatoes roasted in duck fat and Steamed Green Beans ($6ea). The potatoes were crunchy on the outside and the beans were cooked perfectly. Wonderful accompaniments at a great price!

Below are dishes others in the group had that day. There was not a single complaint amongst any of them!

Chargrilled eye fillet of beef with gnocchi and ox tail sauce ($32)
Crispy skinned duck breast with twice cooked duck leg, baked quince and baby spinach ($32)

The fish special of Panfried Snapper with Panchetta wrapped scallops, asparagus and verjuice butter sauce ($35).
Game Puff Pastry Pie with roasted chestnuts and carmalised shallots ($18) ........ I almost ordered this!
Blue Swimmer Crab Tortellline with truffle cream sauce and Coorong cockles brasised in a fresh tomato sauce ($32)
The soup special.. Tomato and bread with Woodside goats curd and basil pesto ($16.50). Love the goats curd!!Not being a big dessert eater, I pitched in with a couple of the girls for the 3 Cheese Plate with baguette and muscatels ($24) . I love cheese and the blue cheese on the platter was not exception! Soft Centred Chocolate Pudding with orange brulee and chocolate ice cream ($15). How fantastic did this look!Strawberries in a sable pastry tart case with passion fruit creme patissiere, strawberry sauce and Alexandrina double cream ($15)

Coming Soon: The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale

2009-05-24T15:00:00.001-07:00

2009-05-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: Osteria Sanso

Princes Highway
Kanmantoo

Where you say? That's right.. in the middle of basically no where, sits a wonderful Tuscan restaurant. Legendary Adelaide chef Tony Sanso left the big smoke and has bought this old pub which was built in the late 1800s in the former copper mining town of Kanmantoo.

Mum and I and kids arrived for a wonderful Mother's Day lunch. Despite the Maserati and Porche parked outside, the inside was far from pretentious. Wooden floors, crowded and noisy......just what a good Italian restaurant should be. It was very busy that day of course and it was delight to watch the big Italian families greeting each other with the typical air kissing of both cheeks. After a quick field trip to the cellar, we decided on an Italian Chianti (Founterutoli 2006 $59.95). It was a sensational bottle of red, probably enhanced by the Italian feel and language around the restaurant. As I was driving, I could only assist Mum in finishing the bottle. Unfortunately, the wine list did not have any reds but the house red by the glass, making it necessary to buy a whole bottle.

We started with the standard bruchetta ($5.90). Fresh tomato, garlic, olive oil and basil, it was very reasonably priced, but lacked the strong garlic both Mum and I love in our bruchetta (I think that comes from our friend Jean's bruchetta!!)

The specials board listed Udder delights goat cheese curd, olive oil and bread ($13.90) which of course my daughter and I just couldn't resist. It there is goat's curd we MUST eat it! imagine my daughter's delight when they brought a HUGE bowl of the stuff!! Needless to say, she didn't eat a whole lot of her main course!
My daughter ordered the Saleiccie Tartufate Con Porcini - pork sausages Italian style with truffle and porcini mushrooms, served on a bed of polenta and carmelised onion glaze ($14.90e or $22.90m). The entree size was still very substantial, and regardless of the gluttony earlier with the goat's curd, I don't think she would have finished it. I found this dish a bit too salty for my liking, but the polenta cake was absolutely beautiful with the rich gravy!
My Mum ordered LaFiorentina ($27.90) - Char grilled 500g T-bone cooked the Florentine way (specially marinated). A beautiful steak. Tender, and cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. Absolutely NO complaints!I had the Quaglie alla Racola- Chargrilled quails on a seasoned rocket salad ($23.90). I certainly think I win on the best dish at the table. It was sensational! Beautifully spiced, simply presented... just perfect. The bread soaking up all those amazing juices was a great addition. My rocket salad was incredibly fresh... just a perfect plate!
One of the highlights of Osteria Sanso, is that Tony's wife has a very substantial vegetable and herb garden at the back of the restaurant. Our spinach sauteed with extra virgin olive oil garlic and chili ($6) was so fresh and full of flavour! We also ordered the mushrooms sauteed with onion and extra virgin olive oil. Lovely and earthy, a great addition to our meal! It must be mentioned that Tony himself left the kitchen and delivered our side dishes... very nice touch!

For some reason I do not have a photo of my son's meal. He had the Maccheroni al Ragu- tube pasta with a special Tuscan meat sauce ($18.90). They did not have a kid's menu as such, but surprisingly, he ate every last bit of his pasta! The serving sizes were huge, even my quail didn't get finished! A great value for money restaurant, without compromising on taste. We had a wonderful day here, in fact my Mum rang me later that evening and said it was her favourite lunch she has ever had with me!

I love this place, and think its obscure location adds to the appeal. A Bed and Breakfast has been added to the mix, and the day after our lunch, I booked a night there in a month or so! Again, very reasonably priced, B and B for 2 with 3 course dinner and continental breakfast delivered to your room for around $300... can't go wrong!! Occasionally I see this place for sale on the interenet, and it will be a sad sad day when Tony closes his doors. .. get there before that happens!

Restaurant/Cellar Door

2009-05-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

Restaurant/Cellar Door: Dudley Wines
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
Corner of North Terrace and Thomas Willson Street

In 2006, I did a quick trip to KI with my Mum and kids before moving up to Cairns. We had a great time, and a highlight of that trip was Dudley Cellar door at Cape Willoughby. They served us a "bucket of prawns" in bright yellow sand buckets...........fantastic. I was so inspired by this innovative way of serving up prawns, I copied them for Christmas that year!
Although the Cellar door was in a magnificent location close to the lighthouse at Cape Willoughby, alas it seems the regular tourist does not wander as he should, and they have moved to more central and convenient Penneshaw . The ferry to the mainland docks in Penneshaw, and despite the less charismatic cellar door, I was pleased they had moved. What better way to pass the time waiting for the ferry than to have lunch and wine!
The restaurant is open and airy, complete with Dudley wines and the usual tacky tourist honey and other KI products. There is plenty of room, and I can only assume the occasional bus must stop for tastings.Dudley has a wide range of wines. Chardonnay, Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Sauv Blanc and a Rose. Their Porky Flat Shiraz is fantastic, and their Sauv Blanc is a good stand-by.

Wandering around the restaurant, you get a real comfy, home feeling. Walls are adorned with photos of regulars enjoying a night out with live music, and with Xavier Rudd and then Jack Johnson playing in the background, one could expect good music on their live entertainment nights! Fantastic flora and fauna photos are everywhere, very appropriate for the natural experience of Kangaroo Island.

The Slow Roasted Shoulder of Lamb ($18) was seasoned with cumin, garlic and herbs served with pumpkin, pine nuts, baby spinach, hommous and KI coriander chilli jam. A very good "comfort" food, the presentation was simple and fresh.

The platter ($35) shared by my kids (with a bit of Mum's fingers into that goats curd) was great. Marinated Kangaroo olives, Barossa Valley curd, cheddar, prosciutto, mettwurst, pickled onions, sundried tomato and cashew dip, dukkah and toasted turkish bread. Although the inclusion of local produce is always appreciated, the price was a bit steep for what was presented.

I had the Kangaroo Island Fetta and Pea Fritters )18) with smoked Atlantic salmon, lemon and mustard aioli and rosted cherry tomatoes. I was pleased to see they used Island Pure Fetta... a fantastic sheep cheese. I absolutely love their Haloumi. The fritters were slightly over-cooked, so a bit rubbery but all in all, I really enjoyed this lunch. Nice and light and fresh, my glass of Grassy Flat Sauv Blanc enhanced the flavours beautifully.

The staff were attentive and quick, and we had a very enjoyable, casual lunch. The convenient location will ensure the success of this restaurant. Its limited menu really works ... simple, and fresh. I just hope come summer they put those buckets of prawns back on the menu!!

Restaurant:Aquacaf

2009-04-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Restaurant: Aquacaf

Barrage Road

Goolwa SA

Nestled into the shore of the drying Murray, sits Aquacaf, an oasis in the drought, a draw card for tourists and foodies. Relaxing, upbeat, and airy, Aquacaf is blessed with the talent of ex Melting Pot chef Jordan Theodoros.
Regardless of the receding waters of the Murray, the view and atmosphere of Aquacaf is only trumped by its amazing food. The wine list is good, with local wines making a strong showing. Very reasonably priced, a glass will set you back approx $7. Local beers also make a appearance, along with the regular SA, and Australian stand-buys.

The day we were there, the state of the Murray was all too obvious, with a substantial sand bar emerging from the middle of the river. The struggle for the Murray's survival is an environmental disaster, and as pelicans and black swans work there way down the once flowing waters, it is a reminder of what we could lose. It isn't for the sadness of the Mighty Murray that brings us to Aquacaf however... it is the AMAZING food, created by the equally amazing Jordan Theodoros.
I ordered the special of Baked Barra, Kipfler Potatoes, Green Beans and feta. I couldn't fault the dish at all! The fish was tender and sweet, and the kipfler potatoes were just the right texture. The beans were crunchy (but cooked to sweetness) and fresh. The dill and feta were just the right thing to finish off this dish. I am a big fan of dill! I replicated this dish at home one night, and although not as good as Theodoros's, it was still nice. I respect his simplicity in his creations, and his obvious commitment to fresh ingredients.
Amongst our group, we ordered the FLT, a quirky acronym playing on the BLT, with soft sourdough bread, pan fried fish lettuce and tomato. The presentation of this "sandwich" was fantastic. Served on a wooden board (a sort of institution at Aquacaf), the fish was fresh, and moist.

The casual Fish and Chips, the perfect lunch for a casual shore-line restaurant, was presented simply. The only complaint here, was the batter was a little dry, overshadowing the marinated fish. Love the "real" chips!

The Vietnamese shredded vegetable salad with Nuoc Cham, fried peanuts, pineapple and mint was amazing. Fresh and crunchy, with just the right combination of herbs, it is obvious Theodoros's history with David Thomson (Thai food guru) has shown through with this dish!
The fried fresh squid was perfect. It seems the portion of this dish has gotten bigger, which is great as it was often commented as too small for the price in the past. The squid was so fresh, not rubbery....... tasting of the ocean. Perfect. The light batter wasn't over-powering also enhancing the beautiful taste of the squid.
Even the child's meal was a work of art. Presented beautifully again on the signature wooden board, the meat was cooked perfectly. Absolute value for money!
I don't remember the name of this dessert that we all had a taste of but WOW. Coffee, custard, almonds..........soooo good!! I really don't order dessert that often, but if I go back, and this is still there, I will so order it again (and update my blog!!). Desserts are made on site, including muffins and various cakes, great for a morning tea with coffee. Many of my foodie friends come here just for that on the weekend.

Aquacaf is THE place to be at the moment. With fellow chefs like Maggie Beer making the trip to Goolwa along with locals, tourists, and foodies, it is fast becoming the choice pick for a weekend lunch.

Restaurant: British India

2009-03-31T13:25:00.000-07:00

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.....

Restaurant:Concubine

2009-03-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-29T12:45:00.001-07:00

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!!!

2009-03-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Shopping: Absolutely Asian Groceries

2009-03-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Restaurant: Hotel Victor

2009-02-17T16:13:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: Hotel Victor
http://www.victorhotels.com.au/
Victor Harbor

For those who have been to the hotel Victor in the past.... you will be shocked!!

The tacky Vegas carpet is GONE!

The toilets have been moved to the back of the old lounge area, leaving room for side windows opening out to the street to be put in. The place has been transformed into a great-looking modern pub.

I went with a large group from work. Someone was told the Chicken burgers in the cafe were fantastic so we all headed off to give them a try.
Imagine the disappointment when we were told on arrival that the Cafe kitchen was flooded, and we couldn't order from that menu. We decided to stay despite having to order from the dining room menu.

At my end of the table, a couple ordered Caeser salads. One ordered a Chicken Caeser without egg, and the other ordered a plain Caeser with no anchovies. When brought out there was confusion as the plain Chicken Caeser without the egg, did not have chicken on it. As this was being explained, the waitress rudely remarked that "her arm was going to fall off" if she didn't put the plates down. After some time, the chicken for the Caeser was brought out seperately.All three people who ordered the Caeser's remarked that there was way too much bacon in the salad. The eggs looked fantastic, and were runny as you would hope, but were cold.

The prawn rissotto looked very nice but was a huge disappointment. I don't even think that it was finished. The lack of flavour may have been fixed with a bit of garlic.

One of the specials of the night, was stuffed peppers. The chef made a huge mistake with this one! Obviously to hold the peppers intact, toothpicks were put through them prior to cooking. Unfortunately he/she didn't take them out before baking the peppers covered in sauce and cheese! Luckily they were discovered before being swallowed! Not good!

On a positive note, my special of Vietnamese Chicken Salad was fantastic. The flavours were very well balanced. The chicke was lovely and tender. A great dish!

The steak was presented very well, and was cooked as ordered.

Next time, I am going to order the mussels. They looked so good and one of my favourite things is a bowl of mussels and a cold beer! Still wouldn't mind trying that chicken burger one day!

2009-02-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

Shopping: Sugar and Spice Cakes
190 Goodwood Rd
Millswood SA

http://www.sugarandspicecakes.com.au/contact.htm

My daughter turned 11 a couple of weeks ago. She is on this hippy chick stage, and when asked what kind of cake she wanted, she said she wanted something colourful with happy faces and peace signs. There was no question that I would get Sugar and Spice to do the cake.

They did such a fantastic job........ as usual! I only gave them that description which my daughter gave me, and this is what they came up with! ($85) They even made a small gluten free cupcake, decorated in the same style for one child that needed a gluten free piece. (no extra charge)

While living in Adelaide, I got them to do a couple of cakes for me, and was never disappointed. Now that we live an hour away, I still use them and will continue to do so. The above cake was for one of my daughter's parties. She wanted a "Cook Island" themed party. It was so much fun and the cake as amazing.

My son's pirate-themed birthday. We added the spiders as he was/is bug obsessed.

My son's Pokemon cake.

The flavour choices for birthday cakes is huge! They include: chocolate mousse , white chocolate mousse, ebony and ivory, hazelnut torte, chocolate truffle cake,strawberry gateaux, carrot and walnut cake, lemon cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, lemon and poppyseed, mud cakes (various flavours), fudge cakes (various flavours),tira mi su, blackforest,chocolate hedgehog,banana cake and banana caramel pie. YUM!

The staff are very friendly, and the day I picked up the recent cake, there were many people in ordering wedding cakes. Sugar and Spice are an Adelaide institution when it comes to wedding cakes, and the huge display of beautiful and unique cakes in store is great.

2009-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Flying Fish
Horseshoe Bay
Port Elliot
http://www.flyingfishcafe.com.au/

This is by far one of my favourite restaurants. Not just in SA, but of all time. Affectionately known as "The Fish" by locals and foodies, it is the PERFECT place for lunch. Great food and a great location with an amazing view, keeps bringing people back.
The summer brings out huge amounts of people to Horseshoe Bay, for Surf Lifesaving, or just a swim in the beautiful bay. Not to mention a jump off the jetty!

I have eaten here many times, and can honestly say, I have never been disappointed with my meal.
The most recent visit, was a VERY hot day. SA was in a disgusting heat wave.
As always, the wait staff were fantastic. I was seated by my "favourite" waitress. She is so attentive, and fantastic at her job. She recognised me and mentioned that I would probably order two entrees rather than a main, personal attention is always a bonus!

The heat was incredible, and I watched as she checked on every table's comfort, as well as bringing ice periodically to top up water on the table, keeping it cool. Despite the heat, the place was almost full by 1:15, indicating to me that no matter how uncomfortable the weather may be, the food is worth it!
The heat brought out the worse in some people and the table across from me, was a nightmare. The young waitress certainly had her hands full with the rude attitude of those customers. Substituting orders, answering phones constantly, loudly speaking about their last trip to Europe etc etc........ it was truely nauseating and I give that waitress huge points for not letting them get to her. I know as a customer I was surely sick of them, especially their phones ringing!

I did, as expected ordered two entrees. There are so many wonderful things to choose from on this menu, you really HAVE to have two dishes! http://www.flyingfishcafe.com.au/pdf/lunch.pdf

My first course was
Finely sliced raw market fish w a new style sashimi broth & coconut vinaigrette ($15)

On a hot day, the delicate flavours of the raw fish was beautiful. The presentation was beautiful and simple........ very Japanese. I thought the Asian napkin under the broth was a real lovely touch.

I found the terminology of "broth" somewhat confusing. I would think that a broth would be something you drink... like a soup. It is probably my ignorance, but I did not do that, dipping the fish in the broth. The broth had a very strong soy taste, surely not something you would drink, but dip. The fish was incredibly fresh, melting in my mouth. Perfect and very reasonably priced. The only thing I would suggest is less broth and more waikeme!

For my second course I had the Grilled marinated Quail w a Kim Chee salad & sesame lime mayonnaise ($15). A wonderful dish which I have had before. Again a simple, Japanese-style presentation. Just beautiful. The lime mayo perfect with the spices on the quail.

I had a couple glasses of Sauv Blanc with my meal which was fantastic. The wine list at the Fish is really good. In fact, I brought a group of people a few months ago to a set dinner, and a good friend, who is Swiss French with a great appreciation for wine, (and with a substantial cellar), was very impressed. There is a extensive collection of local wines, but they have also made sure to have the best of other regions and countries as well. Italian, French and Portuguese wines are also on offer including a fantastic French bubbly range. http://www.flyingfishcafe.com.au/pdf/winelist.pdf

The music was at a perfect level, playing Norah Jones and Jack Johnson... perfect.

The deck outside is also a great place to eat. Although I was in the restaurant this time, I have had fish and chips outside a number of times, and have always been so happy with our meal. The fish is always so full of flavour and the atmosphere, of sitting on the deck or even on the beach with a cone of amazing fish and hand-cut chips is such a treat!

I didn't order dessert, but have had dessert here before and the presentation of those dishes is like a work of art. Although part of their winter menu, so not available right now we had:
Poached baby pears suspended in a white chocolate custard tart, served ẃ
a hazelnut praline crumble & vanilla syrup
Winter fruit & saffron tarte tatlin ẃ house made butterscotch ice cream & Persian fairy floss
House made green tea ice cream ẃ caramel nori wafers & liquored dark chocolate caviar
Amazing combinations!
Their summer dessert menu looks great. I might just have to indulge next time! http://www.flyingfishcafe.com.au/pdf/dessert.pdf

Courtney and all of her staff should be so proud of the consistency of great food and service.

2009-01-28T02:39:00.001-08:00

Winery: Producers of McLaren Vale
126 Branson Road, McLaren Vale
http://www.producers.net.au/index.html
Function: Hallelujah
A Leonard Cohen Pre-Concert Lunch

Prior to the magical concert of Leonard Cohen for A Day on the Green
with Paul Kelly & Augie March at Leconfield Winery, we had a long leisurely lunch at Producers of McLaren Vale.

There were 7 of us in the group including my children.

On arrival, we were greeted with some fantastic Riesling. Three vintages were offered: 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 2006 was by far the best, and complimented beautifully the goat curd on crostini with Producers olive oil drizzled on top.
We were also served a lovely duck liver pate on crostini and olives. They were very generous with the wine, and our group left with a few bottles of the "Wally's Block" Riesling 2006 ($20). "Tori", who organised the function, was very accommodating and friendly with my children which I really appreciated. She made sure they had something to drink and that they were happy.

We were seated at a long table, in a room with a lovely view over the vineyard and the Willunga Hills. The group was smaller than I would have imagined, with less than 30 taking advantage of the close proximity to the concert.

The lunch was served as a cold lunch, which being such an incredibly hot day, was a perfect idea.

Mt Compass Tenderloin served with Horseradish Cream. The cream was perfectly light, with just enough horseradish for a bit of bite. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly. A lovely tender medium rare.

The potatoes were lovely, crunchy and light.

The green beans were presented in the most unique way!! Cooked fantastically, they were then topped with almonds and grated egg. The whites and yolk were grated separately, giving a stunning presentation with the green white and yellow combination.

This was my absolute favourite! I love beetroot and this dish was perfect with goat curd and pistachio nuts. YUM!

The chicken was cooked beautifully and was perfect served cold.

In general the lunch was fantastic. The price of $80 a head was very reasonable considering the wine that we drank. Not only was there never- ending riesling offered with the crostini, we were also offered Cab Sauv and Shiraz during our lunch. I did find the price for the kids at $70 excessive, however I understand that if they were occupying a seat that could have been filled by an adult, they would have to charge that.

The buffet style of serving the food as it seemed to "cheapen" the experience. I think someone serving each person seated, then placing the food on the table, would have been better.

After such a long lunch, and a few glasses of wine, we would have really appreciated a coffee. Especially when they served us decadent mulberries and Alexandrina cream, but it was not offered.

After having lunch here, I visited their web site (as above) and was really excited to see they had wine and cheese making courses and so much more. Take a look at the "Producer's Calender"... so many fantastic things to offer!

2009-01-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: Whaler's Inn
Waterside Restaurant
Location: Encounter Bay

I was a little hesitant, having "Whaler's" as my first entry, as I had had a number of bad experiences there, but I pushed on and my kids and ex husband joined me.
The thing that really strikes you about Whaler's Inn, is its beautiful location. It looks over stunning Encounter Bay, and sea birds are always hanging about the rocks and tide pools. I know that is why I have kept coming back, regardless of my disappointments in the past.

The restaurant was very full, (being tourist season, and also a long weekend). The staff greeted us as soon as we walked in, and cleared a table quickly for us. Unfortunately, in a change of hands, the table was re-set before being wiped down. We were asked if we wanted drinks almost immediately, and given the wine list right away.

The wine list was very good. Alot of regional wines, and good prices. There was a lack of a good sparkling however, so for a celebration you may be scrambling to find something festive. We settled on the Bremerton Sauv Blanc fron Langhorne Creek. ($30) The wine was poured without tasting, but a perfect bottle of wine. My ex husband's glass was dirty, a problem that should have been picked up when the glasses were shined up after washing.

The menu was very simple and I settled on the Coffin Bay Oysters that came with Thai dipping sauce ($15), while my ex, had flavoured bread with sundried tomato and relish ($7.50) to start. For our mains I ordered Coconut Battered Flathead served on Panfried Greens topped with coriander, tomato salsa and balsamic glaze ($19) while he ordered the King George Whiting with fresh lemon and preserced lemon ailoli served with garden salad and shoestring fries ($29). The kids ordered the pasta from the very good children's menu.

The oysters were fantastic. Very fresh and tasty. The Thai dipping sauce was very light, pefect for the big taste of the brilliant Coffin Bay Oysters.

I found the bread boring and lacking not only in presentation, but in flavour as well.

The kids' pasta was a very substantial size, but they weren't very impressed with the flavour. Both of them commented that the pasta sauce was very sweet.

My main although reasonably priced was not as good as I hoped it would be.

The batter was very thick, and I could not taste the coconut. There was no corriander as stated on the menu. The vegetables were perfectly cooked however, nice and crunchy and the presentation was really well done.

Our other main was even more of a disappointment. For $10 more than mine, it was definately not worth it. The batter was so thick, you coudn't even tell it was King George Whiting in there. The fries were store bought, which always annoys me in a good restaurant, and the salad was really basic. The preserved lemon aioli was fantastic however, very well done.

We did not have dessert, but the kids had their ice cream from the kid's meal which again as a really good size.

They have done some renovating inside the restaurant, which is looking really so much better. The large blackboard and the open space to the lounge has really made the place look great. It still has that hotel restaurant feel though, and apart from changing the furniture and lowering the ceiling, I don't know that could be fixed.

The music was good, jazz piano, a nice touch while eating but could have been a touch louder.

The menu in general I found to be boring and unimaginative. The seafood platter for two, however, was $95 and includes half a crayfish! Great value!