Adelaide - Australia's Hidden Gem

Ye Olde Icecreamery & Cafe

2009-12-04T12:43:00.007+10:30

Trying to beat the heat during the only November heat wave in Adelaide history, and my aunt's first visit from Chicago, we headed up into the hills towards Hahndorf. My husband ushered us towards a small (air conditioned) ice cream shop with a sign outside advertising that all flavours were homemade. As you can see, we immensely enjoyed our cones. I decided to try the lemon myrtle, as I'd never heard of the flab=vour before, which I was told is local to Hahndorf. Mine was so tantalising that to be honest, I can't remember what anyone else had. I'd go as far as to say this is the best ice cream/gelato/sorbet I've ever had, aside from some in Venice a few years back. They have some gorgeous smelling kranski too!

Ye Olde Icecreamery & Cafe

Hahndorf main street

Hanhndorf SA

The Original Pancake Kitchen

2009-09-24T10:36:00.004+09:30

The Original Pancake Kitchen is an oasis tucked away on a side street in the CBD. Down what looks like an alleyway, you'll find this fantastic pancake place on Gilbert Place, in between Hindley and Currie Streets. It's one of the only spots in Adelaide that is open 24/7, and while during the day it's a nice place for a family brekky or work lunch, the fact that you have to pay as you order makes one aware that the clubbing/bar hopping Hindley Street crowd frequent the place on weekends in the wee hours of the morning. You can get anything from a simple short stack (2 pancakes with butter and maple syrup) to a full Canadian breakfast (pancakes, bacon, eggs, tomato) or something sweet (pancakes topped with any type of fruit you can imagine). There are even some pancake free meals on the menu. Have a look at their menu for heaps of delicious options, and even some pictures. To top it off, they serve an amazing Irish coffee, one of my favourite toasty beverages and something I am quick to criticise places such as Rigoni's and Spats for messing up, in a major way.

The Original Pancake Kitchen
13 Gilbert Place
Adelaide SA

Chile Mojo

2009-09-07T13:49:00.003+09:30

As a native Chicagoan, I miss Mexican food like nothing else. Since moving to Adelaide, I've added two enormous Mexican recipe books to my shelf, and have to find somewhere to get the ingredients to test them out. This is where Chile Mojo comes in, particularly when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to do things from scratch. Either way, they've got the goods, from corn masa for making tortillas to pre-made salsas. Chile Mojo is another of one of Adelaide's best known secrets that I'm very keen on. Shelves of Mexican cooking ingredients fill the shop, along with a wall of hot sauces, and various Latino decorations. I stopped by last weekend to pick up some corn tortillas, refried beans, salsa, stuffed jalapenos, corn chips, and key lime hot sauce for my special Saturday night Mexican dinner. Not having been there for a while, I got carried away and ended up bringing home some Christmas and wall decorations as well. I almost picked up some place mats and a handbag, but had to stop somewhere!

Check out this video of from a Discover episode that showcased Chile Mojo, as well as this review on Adelaide Now.

Chile Mojo has now moved locations, from The Parade, to:
381 Magill Rd
St Morris SA

Fox & Firkin English Pub

2009-08-01T17:55:00.003+09:30

The Fox & Firkin has been just up the road from me forever, but it took me until recently to finally make a trip there. It's an English pub, although you'll hear just as many Aussie accents as any other. Downstairs is a snug and cosy pub, and upstairs is an airy restaurant, although you're just as likely to get a decent meal at either. Housed in an old tea mill, a wonderful place to get a reasonable, tasty meal and a proper (English) sized pint. My personal favourite is the Beef & Guinness pie at the pub. You'll find some unique brews on tap, such as Bulmer's cider, Guinness, Kilkenny, and Old Speckled Hen. Closed Monday and Tuesday, Fox & Firkin only opens before 5pm on Sunday, on which day they have a full English breakfast and Sunday roast on offer. Check out the open open mic on Sundays (I believe only once a month) and perform for a free pint (2 if you play before 8pm)!

Fox & Firkin English Pub
1370 Northeast Road
Tea Tree Gully SA

Abyssinian

2009-05-08T08:15:00.006+09:30

I've only been to this gem of a restaurant once, although it has been on my list to go back to for ages. I've had Ethiopian food in three countries and at 5 different restaurants and Abyssinian even tops my favourite back in my hometown of Chicago. The staff/owners make you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door, and dining here is a unique experience. If you haven't had Ethiopian before, it is most enjoyable when you are open to sharing your food with your fellow diners. Abyssinian offers what is called a Mosab Platter, for $20 per person. I highly recommend this option as you end up with the most variety and value for money. The platter includes 3 mains and 3 sides on a platter, in plentiful amounts. My husband and I were even offered more when we had cleaned our plate, but with very full bellies already, had to turn it down. Favourites of mine are the Doro Wat, chicken legs simmered in a spicy sauce with egg, and Lamb Tibs, lamb simmered in spices with onions. Injera, a spongy, fermented, pancake-like bread, is used to scoop up the mains & sides with your hands. Sides include things like as collared greens and a variety of other veg.

Find the full menu here. Vegetarian options are plentiful, and the African beers and Ethiopian coffee are must trys.

Abyssinian
126 Henley Beach Rd
Torrensville SA

The Griffins

2009-05-07T16:23:00.009+09:30

The Griffins, or the Griff, or as previously known, The Griffin's Head, is a pub you literally can't miss in Adelaide, as it is on the corner of Grenfell Street and Hindmarsh Square, with tables spilling out onto the footpath, and a large balcony section overhanging the street. There any many different sections to the pub, including a restaurant and several private function rooms upstairs. I go at least once a month, and can vouch for the Griff being an excellent function venue, willing to cater to your needs without charging exorbitant rates, unlike other Adelaide pubs (ahem, such as The Austral). Mains are under $20, for the most part, and the food is well above average. Happy hour specials and meal specials available, so have a look at the web site!

The Griffins

38 Hindmarsh Square

Adelaide SA

The Honey Shoppe and Soap Box

2009-05-06T15:23:00.003+09:30

I went around to 5 health food/organic shops today, trying to get a couple of simple things, one of which was plain vitamin E oil. I was also looking for some honey, and this was my last stop after not being able to find any base oils at the other shops. I'd had a quick browse through before, and noticed that The Honey Shopped and Soap Box stocked much more than those two things. They have plenty of natural and organic personal procducts, as well as essential oils, candles, and one of my favourite brands, Burt's Bees. I was able to get the vitamin E oil in any amount I wanted (I got a small bottle for $5) and the staff person helped me pick out a local honey (500g for $4.75) that may help with my new allergies.

Central Market Arcade opening hours:
Mon - Thurs
7.00 am - 5.30 pm
Fridays
7.00 am - 9.00 pm
Saturdays
7.00 am - 3.00 pm

The Central Market Arcade is accessable from Gouger St and flows through to the Central market.

Little India Takeaway

2009-04-28T14:57:00.002+09:30

If you work or lunch in the city, there are two really nice Indian takeaways worth trying out. One is Little India Takeaway, almost at the corner of King William and Pirie Street (just in from King William on Pirie). I'd been meaning to check it out for some time, as the wonderful smells always grab me as I'm walking past, but didn't do so until last week. Everything is pre-made but fresh and tasty, with a range of both meat and vegetarian dishes. You can get one dish with rice for $8.90 and 2 with rice for $9.90. So far, I have only tried the vegetarian dishes, starting with Palak Paneer last week, which is homemade cheese cooked in a mildly spiced fresh spinach/ sauce. Just today I went back for both the Daal & Mator Paneer. Daal is made with lentils, prepared with tomatoes and a spice blend, and Mator Paneer is another homemade cheese dish with peas, cooked in a cream and tomato sauce, with yet more excellent spices. Plenty of sides available, such as samosas, naan, raita, chutneys and even gulab jamun, which are a gorgeous dessert; honey balls cooked in a sugar, cardamon and cinnamon syrup.

Follow up: With my teeth in limbo I may become a regular here for a while. Stopped by today for a meat pakora which was just perfect, and noticed they also have daily specials. Today's specials were a fish curry and something called Chole Bhature, which is a chickpea/friend bread combination.

Little India Takeaway
Corner of Pirie & King William St
Adelaide SA

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)

Beyond India

2009-04-22T14:55:00.001+09:30

Yesterday my husband and I went for dinner at Beyond India, a local restaurant that just happened to have a coupon in the Adelaide Entertainment Book. We were celebrating me finally landing a good job here, as well as my husband reaching his one year mark with his company. This was some of the best Indian food I've had, although I'm quickly learning that, like Thai and other Asian cuisines, Adelaide has it hands down over the places I'm used to in the US. Hubs ordered a Mango Prawn Curry and I had the Malai Kofta, a vegetarian dish with potato and paneer (Indian cheese) dumplings in a creamy tomato sauce. We ordered the Nawabi Naan, a bread filled with feta, red onions and spices, as a side. The seasonings in all the food were subtle, yet fully present, and the heat in the curry was not overpowering, but had plenty of kick. I think this may become one of my favourite new places near home (they also have a North Adelaide location), and we'll definitely be going back for the Sunday buffet.

Beyond India
108 Kelly Road
Modbury
-and-
170 0'Connell Street
North Adelaide

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)

Fusion Sushi & California Roll

2009-03-05T13:47:00.002+10:30

I don't think my stomach really knows what time of day I should be eating certain foods, which is probably my only form of jetlag since arriving back in Australia. Anyway, I stopped by Fusion Sushi this morning on the way into work, as I was craving something fresh yet savory, and had hopes that they might have some soup. I lucked out, as I got a takeaway coffee cup full of miso, and a 4 pack of fresh tuna sushi with avocado. It hit the spot perfectly and they were even nice and let me use my card as it was under $10 and I didn't have cash. This is the best and the quickest freshly made sushi I've yet to find in Adelaide; well worth a visit.

Fusion Sushi & California Roll
Shop 1, 39 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)

Kappy's Cafe

2009-03-04T13:44:00.002+10:30

One of my workmates always had his coffee catch ups at this place, but aside from going once for a quick take away coffee, I hadn't really paid it much notice. One of my friends was raving about their range of warm and cold drinks, including a different iced tea every day, and when I went back with her so she could grab a drink one day after lunch, I was amazed by the shelves upon shelves of various loose teas. A book on the counter grabbed my eye that time, and when I got hungry mid-morning yesterday and the dingy place across the street told me they were cash only, I wandered over to Kappy's. The generously portioned ham & cheese breakfast croissant was more than satisfactory, and so I decided to head back for lunch, after seeing a daily special of chicken fesenjan. I've been reading a couple of fictional books with Persian recipes in them, and I'm keen to try a few, so it was perfect timing, and the meal was absolutely gorgeous. I'll be going back soon I'm sure, and when I get a teapot (mine is still in the US) I'll get some tea as well. An additional bonus, they have an all day breakfast menu, and this may very well be the one place in Adelaide where I can trust a serving of eggs benedict to be worth the price!

Kappy's Cafe
58 Flinders St.
Adelaide SA

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)

The German Club Bistro

2009-01-22T13:42:00.002+10:30

I hadn't heard of the German Club until a couple of weeks ago, and it turns out it is right down the street from my current workplace...and they have a restaurant, and a bar! Of course, it was a must to visit. I'm a big fan of the great Aussie schnitzel so I had to try the real thing. Actually, I had a very hard time deciding on what to eat and have been sneaking a peek at the menu on their web site for over a week now. My friend had the jaegerbraten with sauerkraut and roast potatoes, which was on the specials board, and that was fantastic as well. Prices were reasonable, decent beers were on tap with a few unique ones in the bottle, and they have a happy hour on Fridays. Atmospherically, it's on the list of restaurants to re-visit as well. The bar/bistro is where you will be eating, and it is downstairs, with no windows and dark wood booths. I've never been to Germany, but it was certainly different to your typical Adelaide restaurant.

The German Club
223 Flinders Street
Adelaide SA

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)

Katsumoto Japanese Restaurant

2009-01-15T13:42:00.002+10:30

I discovered a fabulous new restaurant during lunch today, tucked into a corner of the Adelaide Arcade that I hadn’t yet explored. One of the best parts of eating Japanese, aside from the actual food of course, is the emphasis on presentation. I love being able to look at pictures of the food I am going to be served beforehand and/or see the actual plates in the window. The dish I had was a type of crab croquet and it came with salads, miso soup, pickles and of course rice, which seem to be the standard sides with most if not all of the meals. My friend had a gorgeous teriyaki chicken, which I may have to try at some point, although next time I will definitely be having the katsu curry. Must compare to my own that I made last week!*Read about the health benefits of Japanese cuisine HERE.

Katsumoto Japanese Restaurant
Shop 8, Gays Arcade
Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide SA

(Cross posted on The Expat Cook)