Restaurant: The Bridgewater Mill

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

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

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

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

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!