The Chopping Board

Crudo Cafe in the Adelaide CBD

2021-05-13T12:26:00.001+09:30

Crudo Cafe - 142 North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000

You may have come across Crudo before, either by visiting their venue on South Road or grabbing a ready made salad at your local supermarket but now Crudo has opened their latest venture, a cafe in the Adelaide CBD. We were lucky to be invited to the breakfast and lunch venue, which is open 7 days a week and conveniently located on North Terrace. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of Crudo.

Escaping the office with my fellow work buddy for lunch, we were keen to discover what Crudo had to offer and hoped Crudo could be added to our reliable list of places to grab breakfast or lunch on our working days in the city. We like to have the option of easily taking our meal back to the office to scoff down at our desk or on some days, take a longer break and dine in to soak in some ambience more exciting than our office's four walls.

Lunch is served!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a light, bright and spacious interior. The long counter provided a great view of all the fresh produce, delivered fresh from their farmers every morning and above, the large screens showcased the variety of "on the grill" salads and bowls to choose from including vegetarian and gluten free options. It was a tough decision with so many contenders but on this occasion we decided to try the Jerk Chicken and the Harvest Bowl.

Jerk Chicken $17.60

We started with the Jerk Chicken. The menu outlined that it contains 528 calories, which may be handy for counting calorie enthusiasts. The generous sized bowl is full with mixed greens, diced red capsicum, sweetcorn, diced cucumber, a wedge of avocado, a decent sized breast of grilled jerk chicken, a long wedge of pineapple, a sweet chilli dressing and slice of fresh lime.

We enjoyed this chicken salad bowl for its various ingredients, pop of heat in the dressing, tangy sweetness from the pineapple and the tender well spiced chicken. The only thing we would have preferred was if the capsicum and cucumber were served sliced slightly larger as we found the small cubed vegetables got buried by the abundance of greens and was a little tricky to scoop up and enjoy with the rest of the salad.

Harvest Bowl $15.75

We were already a little full after sharing the Jerk Chicken bowl but began on our vegetarian option, the Harvest bowl. This one is 770 calories and consisted of mixed greens, cubes of roasted gold sweet potato, Moroccan couscous mixed with tiny cubes of beetroot, strips of roasted red capsicum, steamed broccoli, shaved parmesan and a tahini lemon dressing on the side.

This was our favourite of the two salads if we had to pick, which surprised us being the carnivores that we are! The Moroccan couscous was full of flavour with the addition of the beetroot cubed throughout colouring the pearls of couscous beautifully red. My work friend absolutely loved the steamed broccoli to the point she has been telling everyone it was the "best broccoli" she's had in a salad due to the florets being perfectly cooked - not undercooked and crunchy and not overcooked and limp, just right! The creamy and slightly acidic tahini lemon dressing was also a highlight, which we were carefully scraping out of the serving dish to make sure we didn't waste one tasty drop.

Strawberry Meadows (left) & Immune Booster (right) Fresh Juices $7.50 each

To keep us hydrated we decided to try two of the five fresh juices available on the menu. I selected the Immune Booster, which was made from lemon, ginger, orange and carrot. I tend to be drawn to this juice combination due to the fresh, tart and sweet flavours it produces. It was the delicious booster I needed to get through the rest of my working day.

My work friend enjoyed the refreshing and pretty colour of the Strawberry Meadows juice, which was filled with strawberries, lychee, pineapple and apple. The juices are generously sized for the price and are served in fun glassware with paper straws.

Crudo has a great selection of salads, fresh juices, smoothie bowls, coffee and breakfast dishes including vegetarian and gluten free options. Their aim is to make healthier eating an easier option and from our visit today we agree they do achieve this with so many nutritious and delicious options on their menu that you can enjoy by dining in or to takeaway anytime throughout your day. A great option for nearby workers, uni students or shoppers in the mall to stop in for a refuel!

La Boca's Omakase Degustation

2021-02-16T19:36:00.002+10:30

La Boca Bar and Grill Adelaide - Stamford Plaza, Adelaide, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

At On The Chopping Board (OTCB), we are firm fans of anywhere/anyone who appreciates and provides quality, local, in-season produce. I (Dani) recently visited La Boca Bar and Grill, where chef Nicolas Arriola has created a degustation menu which focuses precisely on these things.

Though the dishes themselves showcase a repertoire of Argentinian inspired dishes, the degustation is referred to by the Japanese term ‘Omakase’ which means ‘the chef’s choice’, as Arriola will regularly be reviewing and updating the selection to ensure that it features the freshest produce available at the time.

Cabernet Shiraz Sangria

After being warmly welcomed into their North Terrace locale by their friendly waiting staff, I sat down to try the Omakase Asador Menu, a six-course degustation, which includes Asador grilled meats and South Australian seafood. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of La Boca.

Selection of artisan sourdough with house-made duck pâté

The Omakase menu comes with the option of paired alcoholic beverages, personally selected by Arriola. Not one to lessen an experience if I can help it, I allow my rubber elbow to be twisted and start with a slice of artisan sourdough with house-made duck pâté which has been paired with a vibrant cabernet shiraz sangria. The savoury and slightly buttery pate spreads smoothly across the toasted sourdough and its richness is balanced by an assortment of dried and pickled edible garnishes. The refreshing sweet-sour tang of the sangria is light, summery and well matched to the delicate spice of the pate.

Grilled Spencer Gulf prawn tail with salsa verde, paired with Pikorua Sauvignon Blanc

The next course of char-grilled prawns arrives with a flourish. The smoky flavours of the char-grill are strong, but don’t overwhelm the sweet and delicate meat of the prawns. The chilli-infused herbaceous salsa verde has a cheeky kick, which some may find a little warm to taste.

The first sip of the Sauvignon Blanc reveals a quite intense fruity bouquet, but once the bold flavours of spice and oil in the salsa verde enter the palate, I find they are nicely mellowed out by the acidity and sweetness of the wine.

Duck, prosciutto and fig terrine with roasted pickled onion, paired with Argento Classic Pinot Grigio

I’m impressed by the beautiful plating of our terrine, but even more rapt after my first bite. Jammy fig entwines itself through the soft texture of pulled duck within the delicate wrapping of prosciutto. One of my favourite dishes of the night, it is perfectly seasoned and the flavours work so well together. Arriola even includes his secret house-made blend of roast spices on the side in case you’d like to sprinkle some on yourself to further amplify the dish. The light, clean Pinot Grigio is a perfect backdrop, with delicate floral aromas supported by hints of lime and light spice.

Mayura Station wagyu rump MBS9+ with chimichurri, paired with Gramp’s Cabernet Merlot

La Boca is an infamous haunt for carnivores and it’s easy to see why when the Wagyu dish is served. The medium rare meat has been rendered on the grill to tender perfection and it almost melts away in the mouth. The tart chimichurri compliments the grilled oils of the meat with its smack of vinegar and strong herbs. The rich and powerful flavours of ripe berries and spiced Cabernet Merlot have been well-selected by Arriola as a complement to the dish.

Selection of wood-fired grilled Asador with jus, paired with barrel-aged old fashioned

The next course, a selection of wood-fired grilled Asador, shows off La Boca’s ability to present a variety of meats to well-cooked perfection. Salty, well-done crackling rests upon the delicately cooked lightly smoked meat of the pork. Though still tender, the brisket and lamb have a bit more chew than the Waygu I had earlier, which lets you savour them in your mouth before the sweet release of their rich, smokey flavours.

This dish is served with an Old Fashioned, which is a nice deviation from the wine pairings and, coincidentally, one of my favourite cocktails. The whisky for the cocktail has been infused with chargrilled wood from La Boca's Asador grill and a dash of pisco gives it a unique South American twist.

Dessert sample: Churros, tres leches and caramelised banana, paired with caramel espresso martini

I must admit a small squeal of delight may have escaped me when the waiter approaches with dessert. I had the pleasure of speaking with Arriola himself, who tells me the dessert sample is a selection of some of his favourite elements from the sweeter side of La Boca’s al la carte menu.

Small tweaks to classic Argentinian desserts, such as the slightest sprinkle of salt amidst the churro’s sugar coating and a touch of chocolate within the tres leches keep the dish interesting and though it is sweet, it is not overtly so. The caramel espresso martini gives me both the energy to resist a potential food coma and rounds out the sweet ending to the degustation nicely.

Even after such a lovely meal, I still have to say that the passion Arriola and the La Boca staff showed for their food and service were one of my favourite parts of the night. They took the time to knowledgeably answer queries about each of the courses and took obvious pride in how many of the dishes included ingredients which they had taken the additional time to make and prepare in house.

The Omakase menu will change regularly to match what is in season, but I have no doubt that Arriola will continue to see to its quality. There is also a seafood option available for those who prefer not to eat red meat. The six course degustation can be booked for dinner for $109 per person or $139 per person with paired beverages.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Coonawarra Wine - buy an exclusive case of wine online

2021-01-04T16:16:00.001+10:30

Coonawarra Wines - https://coonawarra.org/

We love everything about wine, from drinking the wine, the history of wine, the fascinating variants of winemaking, to the discovery of diverse flavour profiles across different wine regions. The Coonawarra wine region is one I've not had the pleasure of visiting, so when Coonawarra Vignerons, (the winemaker and grape grower membership organisation) announced a new website dedicated to purchasing wine direct from Coonawarra producers, I was keen for a browse and a taste!

Festive season ready!

The online store is a collaboration between 22 producers designed to showcase the best of Coonawarra's wineries. Not only does the website offer exclusive mixed wine cases, you can also select to purchase by the bottle. I found the website easy to navigate and the tasting notes section very handy and helpful summarising the flavour profile of the wine, including food pairing recommendations, percentage of alcohol content and the best time to drink the wine.... surely that's anytime, right?!

We were lucky to be provided with two wines from the website to try:

Whistle Post Estate Pinot Rose 2019 $20

Whistle Post Estate Pinot Rose 2019

Whistle Post describe this wine as a dry style rose, rich in strawberries and cream characters, with a crisp and refreshing finish. They recommend to enjoy this rose with pre-dinner nibbles and/or baked salmon.

This is my perfect match! Baked salmon with a soba noodle side salad is my go to for a quick dinner in summer and now I've found a suitable beverage accompaniment.

Cheers!

I took this wine to a friend's house for dinner as she was cooking a baked salmon dish - salmon fillets topped with olive tapenade, mozzarella, tomato and basil. We found the wine description accurate with a burst of strawberry flavour at first, followed by a subtle but refreshing finish, which worked well to cut through the rich and oily characteristics of the salmon.

DiGiorgio Family Wines Chardonnay 2017

DiGiorgio Family Wines describe this wine as a complex layered palate, showing white peach and nectarine flavours, balanced with textured oak. They recommend to enjoy this Chardonnay with South Australian rock lobster with lemon and fresh herb aioli.

Di Giorgio Family Wines Chardonnay 2017 $29

I took this wine to a new years eve celebration to match with a seafood dinner we were feasting on to ring in the new year. I'm not normally one to gravitate to a chardonnay variety, so on first sip with no accompanying food I thought this might not be the wine for me but after enjoying some lobster and then having another sip of chardonnay, I found that the wine tasted different again and the buttery and woody flavours complemented the sweetness and freshness from the lobster. We continued to easily enjoy the wine throughout the evening with oysters, cockles and a prosciutto, burrata and peach salad, all proving the wine's versatility, which is great as it's not everyday I'm dining on lobster!

The Coonawarra website provides a great opportunity for us wine lovers to buy direct from Coonawarra wineries in the comfort of our own home, and we all know how handy that is after the year that was 2020. Although if you do have the opportunity to visit the region in person, then you will also find the website handy with details or where to stay and what to do while you're there with some great food and wine experiences listed.

Happy drinking!

Joe's Henley Beach - Lunching by the sea

2020-12-02T17:12:00.002+10:30

Joe's Henley Beach - Cnr of South St & The Esplanade, Henley Beach SA 5022

We are fortunate to dine out often but it's certainly not everyday that we dine somewhere with a picture perfect view. Joe's Henley Beach is that location! Situated on the shore, with indoor and outdoor dining hosting long stretching views over the sand, sea and Henley Beach jetty, you instantly feel like you have been teleported to a seaside vacay! Dining indoors today, our table by the floor to ceiling window juts out over the stunning white sand below and we take a moment to admire the beautiful surroundings while perusing the menu.

Joe's Henley Beach Exterior

Joe's Henley Beach offers an all day breakfast and lunch menu, coffee from the seaside town Torquay, Victoria and beer, cocktails and a selection of local wines during booze hours. Today we decide to try something from both the breakfast and lunch menu. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of Joe's Henley Beach.

Smashed Avo $22

Starting with what we like to think of as the benchmark for any good venue serving brunch... the smashed avo! Joe's version comes with all the trimmings, which I (Amanda) love because it means I don't need to order any extras to pimp up the simple smashed avo. On top of the toasted sourdough and the creamy smashed avo, there are 2 free range poached eggs, a generous serving of delectably grilled haloumi and a charred sweetcorn Mexican salsa that brings a fresh and tasty fiesta to the dish. Definitely one of the best smashed avo dishes we have had the pleasure of enjoying.

Grilled Chicken Tacos $19

Currently a taco addict as I seem to be ordering tacos everywhere I go, I couldn't pass up ordering the grilled chicken tacos from the lunch menu. Lovely strips of seasoned tender chicken sits in a soft tortilla shell and topped with avocado, lettuce, cheese and salsa is one tasty bite after another. Served with a bottle of Tabasco sauce, I love that Joe's gives you the option to add as much heat as you like. During the summer season, Joe's have added a fish taco to the menu, which I would be keen to try next time.

Fish & Chips $24

Finally we couldn't eat seaside and not order the classic fish and chips. Attempting to try a healthier approach we requested for our fish to be grilled rather than battered and fried. The tender fillets of locally sourced Flathead were coated in a delicate moreish seasoning and topped with fresh dill. The beer battered chips are the same chips served with the tacos and are some of the best tasting chips - full of flavour with a crisp outer and soft fluffy inside, making them too good to leave an ounce of a crumb behind!

I was also impressed with the mixed leaf salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber and fresh lettuce dressed well in a tangy dressing. I normally leave a side salad behind as the quality can be displeasing along with a lack of dressing but this one deserved a special mention as it held its own against the stunning fish and scrumptious chips.

Coffees by the sea

We loved everything about our visit to Joe's Henley Beach today and we will definitely be adding it to our return visit list to try more from the menu and also experience a booze and nibbles evening to watch one of Adelaide's spectacular sunsets. Check out their website for the current menu and the booze and kitchen opening hours.

Uninterrupted sea views!

Bookmark us on Zomato

Quick Chop! Bar Luca

2020-10-14T17:32:00.003+10:30

Bar Luca - 52 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Since moving to Sydney from New York, I (Mirko), have been on the hunt for a good burger. With Shake Shack being my creme-de-la-creme of burgers (yes, I know some will disagree), I have had multiple people in Sydney and in New York mention one Sydney siders name.... Bar Luca. With so many people raving about this spot, I had to pay it a visit (pre COVID-19 restrictions).

Located near Circular Quay, this casual bar setting is very lively on a Friday after work (pre COVID) so thankfully myself and a few mates have booked in advance (I am told that this is something you need to do) as you won't stand a chance otherwise.

As everyone has been talking about the burgers here, a burger is what I will be ordering. However, there are a number of different options to choose from catering for those who want beef, chicken or vegetarian options (and vegan, just let them know). I will point out upfront that if you are on the lookout for a 'Shake Shack' style burger, this is not for you (try Betty's Burgers, which I think is the closest take on Shake Shack).

Each burger also comes with a number of add-ons (at extra cost), with a few sides should you need them.

Upon multiple recommendations, I opt for the "Blame Canada" burger. One beef patty, American cheese, maple glazed bacon, maple aioli and poutine on a milk bun. I also opted for a side of fries, which on reflection wasn't needed.

Blame Canada Burger ($17) with Fries ($3)

On paper the combination of flavours seems overwhelming and overpowering with the numerous "maple" components appearing too sweet and heavy. This is not the case! The burger is well balanced with a nicely cooked patty, soft bun and saltiness from the poutine and patty balancing the bacon and aioli.

Overall it is a delicious burger which I will be back for again with the easing COVID-19 restrictions coming into play.

With that being said, Shake Shack still has my heart (and stomach)! I don't think that will ever change!

Bookmark us on Zomato

West Oak Hotel - Welcoming a new menu to the west end

2020-09-15T19:19:00.001+09:30

West Oak Hotel - 208 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000

With spring weather and relaxed restrictions seeing us emerge out of the house and into sunlit afternoons with friends, I found I’ve been on the lookout for good warm-weather venues. One of the things I (Dani) missed most during lock down were those casual pub catch-ups with friends, where a pint of good beer and a solid schnitzel would see happy conversations meandering into the evening. One establishment I hadn’t ventured to in a while was the West Oak Hotel on Hindley Street.

Selection of dishes from the new West Oak Hotel menu

It’s been a few years now since the West Oak had the face lift which transformed it from the slightly shabby Worldsend Hotel into a modern, stylish pub, which still retained enough heritage aspects of its original architecture to maintain a quaint character. Its contemporary flourishes of style are tempered by the venue’s worn floorboards and mismatched vintage wall art, creating a warm, approachable space, which is welcoming for both book-weary students and those escaping CBD offices looking for an after-work drink and meal.

The large venue offers a range of spaces to choose from, such as a spacious bar area, reasonably-intimate dining room and large outdoor beer garden. I’ve dropped past a few times for casual bar-side dinners and quiz nights in their beer garden, but as the evening was still reasonably chill on the night we visited we sat at a table in the gas fire warmed dining area.

House made Dorito crumbed chicken schnitzel $22

The West Oak have recently revised their menu and one of the first things that caught my eye was the rather unique Dorito crumbed chicken schnitzel. The house made schnitzel arrived at our table in all its impressively-sized (for perspective, the plate was twice the size of a standard dinner plate), nacho cheese- covered glory and was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The coating itself was extra crunchy, with the tender chicken breast inside of a decent thickness and quality. The Doritos flavour itself was quite strong, bringing back nostalgic recollections of large bowls of chips at house parties and sleepovers.

The sides were kept to the classics of a garden salad and a pile of golden fries. You can also choose a flavour gravy from the usual selection (i.e. pepper, Diane, plain etc.) and though it went well with the chips, I wasn’t too sure about the combination of gravy and Dorito. I think next visit I will take the option of making the schnitzel a parmi ($4 extra), as the tomato and cheese would have been a better match. Even without a sauce, this was still one of the best schnitzels I’ve tried in Adelaide.

Bang bang sticky chicken wings $9

I’m admittedly not a massive chicken wing fan, but as they are a favourite for my dining companion we got a dish to share, and I’m very glad we did. These spicy fried chicken wings had a perfect crunch even with a thick coating of the house made hot and tangy chilli sauce. They were covered in an ultra-crisp, yet light and airy, tempura style batter and I much preferred it to the usual heavier batter used on wings. The fresh lime gave the dish a nice zesty element, which helped balance out the oils and the chicken flesh practically fell off the bones it was so tender.

Poutine $11

Poutine - a heavenly trifecta of chips, cheese and gravy. This wonderful and delicious concoction is a quintessential Canadian dish and I was very excited to see it on the menu. Though what arrived at the table was still delicious, I must admit I was a little disappointed that the ‘cheese’ element of the dish was a goat cheese sauce, rather than the classic curds of cheese which are usually used in the dish. The result was still satisfyingly indulgent, but I think I prefer the classic version as the combination of both the thick sauce and gravy made the dish a little soggy after a while.

Classic beef Reuben sando $19

Keeping with cultural classics, the West Oak’s Reuben Sando is served to us on a potato chip strewn board in all its meaty glory. Packed full of warm, fall-apart corned beef, melting Swiss cheese, sweet Russian sauce and tart sauerkraut. Despite its lavish fillings there is no sogginess to the sandwich, with the rye bread grilled to a toasted crunch.

Mediterranean style grilled salmon, spiced pearl couscous, fennel & apple slaw $28

A special on the evening but apparently soon to be a feature on the menu, the crispy skinned salmon fillet was served on a bed of pearl couscous flavoured with Mediterranean spices and with a side apple and fennel slaw. The decent sized portion salmon was well cooked and the couscous was still textural under its light, shiny coating of sun dried tomato infused olive oil. The slaw was finely sliced and dressed in a dill-infused mayo which worked well against the richness of the fish.

If you’re in the West End and looking for a venue that hits that perfect balance between upper class and chill where you can get a quality meal and a pint without blowing your budget then the West Oak is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed their new menu’s range and quality and look forward to returning to relax in their summer-friendly beer garden.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Cheeky Chook Eats - Not your average Chook

2020-09-10T20:02:00.001+09:30

Cheeky Chook Eats - 438 Henley Beach Rd, Lockleys SA 5032

The quintessential chicken shop on the corner is a well-established Aussie favourite for a takeaway dinner after a busy day. Affordable, always a hit with the kids and with the ability to satisfy all those salt and gravy cravings, it’s an easy option which rarely disappoints.

Pint of Cheeky Chook lager $7

While typical chook shop options are enjoyable, they can often have a bit of a greasy ‘fast food’ feel. Thankfully, there is a revival of the genre in which the quality and health levels are significantly improving, and Cheeky Chook Eats on Henley Beach Road is a notable contender in the field. Even though they have only just recently celebrated their first birthday, they have quickly established themselves as a neighbourhood favourite and it is easy to tell why.

Their menu includes the tender, charcoal grilled free-range Lilydale chickens, super crispy twice-cooked chips, Angus Beef or Buttermilk fried chicken burgers, souvlakia sticks and a large range of freshly made salads. When I (Dani) recently dropped past and stayed for an eat-in option, I was very impressed with the obvious attention Adam Swanson (owner) and his team have put into ensuring their menu is as tasty as possible.

Betty's Beef burger $14

Their 'Betty's Beef' burger was grilled to juicy, cheese-covered, medium-rare perfection. Angus beef mince is used for the burger and had a great flavour, texture and juiciness. It was enveloped in a melted coating of mildly nutty provolone cheese and topped with crispy, salty bacon.

West Fried burger $14

The West Fried burger was one of the best fried chicken burgers I've had in some time. The brioche bun held a sizeable crunchy piece of chicken, which was flavourful and moist inside its spiced coating. Along with provolone and bacon, the burger was layered with crisp lettuce and smokey chipotle aioli.

Buffalo and Hot Chicken Wings (50 cents each), salads, burgers and twice cooked chips

I found that Cheeky's were also great value for money, with regular specials and promotions on offer. Currently on Mondays you can pick up a whole chicken for $13 or on Wednesdays, such as the day we visited, you can grab Buffalo or hot chicken wings for only 50 cents each. Both varieties of sauces were tasty, though I felt the hot wings could have had a bit more of a kick.

The sauces and side dishes have been also captured in Cheeky's attention to quality menu offerings. Their incredible gravy had obviously been made from scratch and the salads were full of flavour thanks to the addition of fresh herbs and tangy house-made dressings. The twice cooked chips were amazing - each one perfectly golden and crisp.

With their shop open from 11am until 8pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm until 8pm on Sundays, you can either choose to dine in or drop by to grab an easy dinner to take home or call in during the day to pick up some lunch, such as the ‘Tradie’ roll - filled with pulled chicken, French fries, crispy chicken skin and gravy for only $10.

If you’re not keen on leaving the house to get your chook fix, you can also find them on Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

Cheeky's quick and friendly service and delicious menu will definitely have us returning soon for another cheeky burger (or two...).

Bookmark us on Zomato

The Playford Hotel – Indulging in a Playford Feast

2020-08-25T19:34:00.001+09:30

The Playford Hotel – 120 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

After a few quiet months of staying indoors and restricted options, it’s nice to know there are still some fantastic local experiences available if you want to dust off your heels or suit jacket and head out into the city for an indulgent day out.

Veuve Clicquot champagne to start our Playford feast

When first entering the Playford Hotel’s Lounge Bar, located on the ground floor on North Terrace, I (Dani) instantly felt as though I’d stepped back to a time of opulent, old-world glamour. The elegant Art Deco style is almost luminescent with its swirling golden motifs, intricate candelabras and angel-adorned bar. Despite its grandeur, the boutique atmosphere still manages to be warm and welcoming, with comfortable curved lounges and courteous staff encouraging us to relax, sit back, sip some champagne and enjoy the gentle live guitar music, which is arranged for guests every weekend.

The Playford Feast (for two people)

New to the Lounge Bar menu is the Playford Feast. Available every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from noon until 4pm, the feast combines the best elements of classic luncheons and high teas to offer each individual a generous selection of savoury and sweet dishes, with more savoury options than your standard high tea fare. The Feast comprises of three platters per person, which are all served to the table at once to allow you to leisurely nibble as you enjoy the bar’s ambiance.

Playford Feast Savoury Platter

The Savoury Platter offers a selection of mouthwatering morsels. The light and buttery brioche is served stuffed with smoked salmon, creamy cheese and refreshing dill. These fine textures and sweet flavours transition wonderfully into the rich, earthy tones of the wild mushrooms on their base of a tangy chevre coated bruschetta. To finish, we enjoy the bright and herbaceous notes of the freshly sliced heirloom tomato and basil crostini.

Playford Feast Charcuterie Platter

The Charcuterie Platter is a generous mix of cured meats and their characteristic accompaniments. A mound of tender duck rillette, wafer-thin prosciutto, Adelaide Hills-made Section 28 mount rouge cheese and seeded mustard can be enjoyed on the wafer thin Melba toasts, which have been served on the side. The Quiche Lorraine, still warm from the oven, has a wonderfully crisp crust and bacon-strewn filling and the roasted almonds have a delightful spiced coating.

Playford Feast Sweet Platter

The Playford makes it easier to save the Sweet Platter until last by way of their stunning plating – they’re almost too beautiful to eat! The Playford’s pastry chef will make small changes to the sweets selection based on her creative outputs for the day, but I can’t imagine that anything she produces would be anything less than amazing. The glistening, bubble-like dome of the raspberry and pistachio entremets hide multiple layers, which are rich, creamy, cakey and fluffy all in one bite.

The buttery Madeleine is obviously freshly baked, with a light and bouncy sponge. My favourite, however, would have to be the lemon meringue cream lollipop. Beneath its meringue topping and white chocolate shell, exists a zesty cream centre which melts away on my tongue. We just manage to finish the last of our Feast with a petite coco truffle, which is small but rich with its dark chocolate ganache filling.

The Playford Feast (for two people)

For just $39.50 per person, the Playford Feast menu is a very approachable and enjoyable way of spending a leisurely afternoon in classy surrounds. If you’d like to extend your experience, in house guests are able to order the Feast as room service.

The Playford are also currently offering a Father’s Day Feast for those of you looking for an alternative option to the standard Father’s Day brunches or dinners. The Father's Day Feast is $55 per adult and $39 for children 12 years and under, and includes a signature Fire Pit cocktail, a craft beer or a glass of bubbles complimentary upon your arrival. Bookings can be made through the Playford's website.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Strathmore Hotel - Dinner in the newly renovated Verandah Bar

2020-07-30T18:26:00.000+09:30

Strathmore Hotel - 129 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

As Adelaide has reopened after the COVID-19 lock down, I (Dani) have been enjoying rediscovering the city through both the emerging newcomers to the food and bar scenes and those established classics which are always a pleasure to revisit. Sitting in the middle of this spectrum is the recently renovated Strathmore Hotel. The iconic pub has been established on North Terrace for over 165 years, yet a recent facelift has seen the Hotel reopen with bright, modern spaces and a refreshed menu which focuses on South Australian produce.

Verandah Bar dining area

While there are options for casual pub-style dining and a beer garden downstairs, we decide to journey upstairs to look over North Terrace from the Strathmore’s all-weather Verandah Bar. On the evening we visit, the bar is divided into two spaces, with a wide wooden bar adorned with gleaming copper beer taps wrapping itself between the two segments of the restaurant. However, the waitress informs us that the levered doors are able to open the space up completely when it suits the weather and crowd.

For a more casual option, the indoor lounge area to the right has a toasty gas fireplace to keep you warm as you enjoy a cocktail or pint of beer and perhaps something to nibble on from the bar menu while you look over the sweeping views of the Terrace. To the other side of the space, a glass cabinet filled with an impressive collection of South Australian vintages and open-fronted kitchen area lead you to an open dining area filled with comfortable booths and crisp, white tablecloth-draped dining tables. The interior design is tasteful and modern, with exposed brick and sleek black lines softened by blush tones and a native floral motif.

Wynns ‘The Gables’ Cabernet Sauvignon

I am pleasantly surprised at the large array of quality South Australian products the Strathmore has incorporated into their food and drink menus as I flick through them at our balcony table. We choose a Wynns ‘The Gables’ Cabernet Sauvignon from their impressive range of local wines, as it's dustily spiced, black currant profile is well suited to the selection of meats we plan to order.

Chicken & Leek Dumplings $16

We start our meal with a bowl of chicken and leek dumplings, which rest within a wild mushroom consommé. The tender folds of dumpling wrapper capture the broth, so each bite is awash with warm umami flavours. The dashes of basil oil, which glisten in tiny, translucent beads across the surface, are sweet and aromatic against the dish's savoury profile.

Gawler River Chargrilled Quail $16

After spooning up the last of the delightful consommé, we turn our attention to our next entrée. Deceptive in its petite visage, the meat of the butterfly-boned quail is gamey and full-flavoured, capturing the smoky tones of the char-grill. It rests on a bed of peppery rocket, delicate morsels of tender poached apple, soft goats cheese and golden toasted pine nuts. The blend of the smoky, sweet, nutty and creamy flavours is absolutely delicious and the thoughtful provision of a small lemon-scented washing bowl by our accommodating waitress allows us to pick apart the quail without worrying about messy fingers.

Blue Swimmer Crab Pappardelle $33

A swirling pile of pappardelle arrives at our table emitting wafts of fragrant scents. It has a generous amount of sweet crab meat tossed through its rich tomato sauce, which has a gentle but noticeable heat from the chilli. The wide ribbons of pasta are perfectly al-dente and entwine into the sauce in a way which makes the transition from plate to mouth a breeze (much appreciated given my history of sauce-based mishaps). The dish is one of my favourites; comforting and filling, whilst still being fresh and light.

Stonegrill 250g 36 Degrees South Eye Fillet $41

If you are fan of a quality steak, the Strathmore should definitely be on your list of venues to try! The 36 Degrees South Eye Fillet option can be char-grilled by the kitchen on your behalf, but we couldn’t resist the novelty of trying the DIY option of the Strathmore’s Stonegrill. A rare pillar of beef is served, sizzling, at our table atop a 400 degree stone plate. After a few helpful tips from our waitress, we sear the marbled flesh until it is cooked to our liking, relishing the wafts of savoury cooking scents, which are usually left behind in the kitchen when dining out.

The sides are perfect - simple, quality classics. The golden chips are almost of a size which I would deem to be wedges, but retain a crisp crunch around their pillowy, soft centres. The mushroom jus has a good depth of flavour and pairs perfectly with the fresh cooked eye fillet.

Coconut pannacotta $13

After accepting our waitress’ offer to "take a look" at the dessert menu (knowing full-well that my sweet tooth will lead me into temptation), we select a couple of sweet dishes to try. The coconut pannacotta was a little more dense that I generally prefer, though it was still full of creamy flavour with a smooth texture. The honeycomb was full of natural honey flavour with a gentle warmth from the ginger, and the almond crumb had a biscuity texture similar to that of a cheesecake base. The shards of dried rhubarb were a nice touch and pretty garnish, though I don’t feel that they added much of the vegetables’ flavour.

Mocha Mud Cake $13

I must admit to being a bit tickled to see a house made Farmers Union ice cream on the dessert menu – so iconically South Australian itself! It tastes exactly as the brand name promises and oozes delightfully into the rich chocolate cake it rests upon. A peanut butter tuile and creamy white chocolate garnishes amp up the indulgent vibes and in all it is an enjoyably moreish dish.

With a location so conveniently situated in the central CBD and a view which encompasses one of Adelaide’s quintessential vistas, the Strathmore is a great option for both those who want to rediscover the city or as a medium to introduce newcomers to the area.

The retractable roof of the Verandah Bar is opened on fair-weathered days, and although we visited in the evening I expect that the wide stretches of glass frontage would let in a beautiful amount of natural light during the day. With its proximity to Adelaide Oval and speed of service, the venue would also be a good pre-game/event option if you were looking for something in the area.

We had a very pleasant evening on the Verandah and look forward to returning, as the venue’s multiple features offer an variety of social options and quality dishes.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Artusi by Night, Gnoccheria - Gnocchi Made Fresh to Order

2020-07-23T20:23:00.003+09:30

Artusi by Night, Gnoccheria - 150a King William Road, HYDE PARK SA 5061

Opening in June 2020 after the infamous COVID-19 delayed the gnoccheria's opening, Artusi by Night, is now happily rolling out freshly made gnocchi for all of Adelaide's gnocchi loving fans. Arriving to our Wednesday night booking, I (Amanda) was pleased to see the beautifully decorated restaurant buzzing and full of diners. Seated by the window on a high table with bar stools (they have cushioned seats with a small back, so you can still enjoy your dinner comfortably) we take in the fresh, new and modern surroundings and peruse the wine menu.

Josef Chromy Pinot Noir $14 & The Lane Pinot Gris $10

Artusi is taking a different approach with their wine list by deciding to showcase a different winery for 8 weeks at a time. "First off the block" is The Lane Vineyard located in the Adelaide Hills, which is a great first feature winery with so many wine varietals on offer including a sparkling, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, merlot among many more. To begin our night we chose The Lane's Block 2 Pinot Gris and unfortunately because The Lane's Pinot Noir recently went out of vintage it was substituted with a Josef Chromy Pinot Noir. Both easy drinking and delicious wines to sip on while watching the gnocchi master at the dedicated gnocchi bar, hand make the gnocchi fresh to order.

Pumpkin Gnocchi $23

We picked two gnocchi dishes from the menu to share. First up the pumpkin gnocchi with ricotta, sage, nut butter and lemon. We absolutely loved this dish! The pumpkin gnocchi had a silky smooth texture and was coated with the moreish nut butter (we wouldn't have minded if there was even more nut butter!), crispy sage, subtle acidity of the lemon and delectable ricotta, was a well balanced and delicious dish.

Beef Cheek Ragu Gnocchi $25

Balancing out our pick of the vegetarian gnocchi, we decided to choose a meat filled beef cheek ragu gnocchi. The potato gnocchi was even softer and more delicate than the pumpkin gnocchi but still held its own with the generous serve of rich meaty ragu. Perfectly satisfying on this cool winter night! The basil leaves scattered atop added a lovely touch of sweet freshness.

Green Salad $10

To accompany our gnocchi we chose a side of green beans and broccolini with a pumpkin puree and nut crumb. Yum! This dish was so good. The vegetables retained their vibrant colour and had a perfect fresh crunch which was combined with the creamy sweetness of the pumpkin puree and texture from the nut crumb. This combination made for one of the tastiest vegetable side dishes I've had.

Cocktails - Cherry Blossom Sour $20 (left) & David Byrnin' Down The House $22 (right)

After dinner we decided to relax and chat over a couple of cocktails. With a large variety to choose from, we let the bar staff surprise us and we were presented with the 'David Byrnin' Down The House' and the 'Cherry Blossom Sour'. Go with the 'David Byrnin' Down The House' with Cazadores Reposado, De Kuyper Triple Sec, lime juice, sugar syrup, chilli and fresh orange if you like a bit of heat in your refreshing cocktail, or the 'Cherry Blossom Sour' with Grey Goose Citron, lemon juice, egg white and cherry blossom syrup if you love a good fruit based silky smooth sour.

Chocolate Mousse $14

To finish, we shared all the desserts on the menu (lucky there were only two!). The chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline and burnt orange curd was also supposed to have honeycomb on the plate but unfortunately they were all out of honeycomb on the night this honeycomb lover visited. Luckily the chocolate mousse was superbly smooth with a level of chocolate that was perfect for my palate, with the hazelnut praline adding a delicious sticky crunch.

Honey Roasted Pear Tarte Tatin $12

I love a good Tarte Tatin especially in winter and this honey roasted pear version sitting atop a creme anglaise and topped with a nut crumble was lovely. I was happy the pastry remained crispy floating in the light and silky anglaise. The nut crumble added a great textural element and while my spoon cut through the perfectly cooked pear beautifully I would have loved the pear to have a deeper caramelisation on top to bring out the buttery creaminess I love about a Tarte Tatin.

We had a superb evening at Artusi by Night indulging in hand made fresh to order gnocchi, local wines, chic cocktails and delicious desserts, all enjoyed in stunning and comfy surroundings. Get your gnocchi fix Wednesday through to Saturday nights and I would recommend booking as it was completely full on the Wednesday night that I visited.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Plus 82 MiMi - Korean Tapas

2020-07-16T21:34:00.000+09:30

MiMi - 50 Sturt Street, Adelaide SA 5000

When MiMi opened it’s doors in 2018, head chef Napachama Hongsakaola was challenging Adelaide’s perception of Thai food by bringing us traditional Thai flavours with a modern twist, and then throwing Korean flavours into the mix creating a fusion menu that was exciting and unexpected. MiMi’s Thai-Korean fusion menu was filled with delicious dishes that we had the pleasure of devouring time (The New Thai on the Block) and time again (A Very Very Good Chef's Special Selection), so we (Amanda and Taylor) had no doubt this visit would live up to past experiences.

During the COVID-19 lockdown when dining restrictions were placed on the hospitality industry, the team at MiMi decided to close it’s doors and reflect on their direction as a restaurant. With no better time to make changes than during the lockdown, the MiMi team decided to focus on their strengths. With two of Adelaide’s most popular Korean restaurants, Plus 82 POCHA and Plus 82 GoGi, under their belt, a new Korean menu and direction was curated for the restaurant.

Head chef and co-owner Napachama Hongsakaola, is still leading the kitchen behind MiMi, but is now joined by former sous chef at Plus 82 POCHA, Donghwa Park. With Hongsakaola, Park brings traditional Korean recipes with a fresh take, best described as 'Korean Tapas' by the team.

Kimchi Arancini (3pc) $9

The crazed kimchi fans that we are, we started our Korean Tapas feast with the fried kimchi rice balls with aioli and nori. This Korean take on an Italian arancini encapsulated the satisfying contrast between the super crunchy outer and soft and fluffy inner. The distinct kimchi flavour and kick of heat throughout the rice ball was softened and balanced nicely with the creamy aioli. A tasty and exciting start to our meal.

Kimchi Jijimi (Korean pancake) $8

As fans of the kimchi pancake at Plus 82 Pocha, we were intrigued to try MiMi's North Korean style kimchi pancake served with a soy vinaigrette. This smaller, tapas sized pancake had a ridiculously crispy outer, and a soft, slightly gooey kimchi-packed interior, just as a good kimchi pancake should. A perfect size to demolish alone or share between two, this kimchi pancake should be a must on your table at MiMi.

Festival Jeon $14

We were intrigued by the sound of the Festival Jeon, listed under the 'medium' sized dishes on the menu. As explained to us by Steven (co-owner of MiMi), this is a traditional Korean dish served at special celebrations, such as Korean New Year. The pan-fried fish fillet with zucchini and enoki, was served with a sesame soy dipping sauce.

The egg-based batter coating the fish, zucchini and enoki was light, delicate and unlike anything we had tried before. Dipping them into the sesame soy sauce livened up each beautiful bite providing some umami to the dish, however if a dominant egg flavour is not your preference, then this might not be the dish for you.

Bossam Wrap 'Mi' Up $24

We enjoy a little DIY dish from time to time, so we decided to try the Bossam Wrap 'Mi' Up offering under the 'large' section of MiMi's menu. Braised pork belly served with fresh lettuce, ssamjang (spicy dipping sauce), kimchi and house made pickled vegetables, this dish had all the elements to make your own lettuce wraps. Placing a slice of tender pork belly in a lettuce cup, selecting your pickle of choice and topped off with the spicy ssamjang, the completed wrap is a light, fresh and fun dish to devour. Each wrap can take on a whole new flavour profile depending on the pickle of choice or if you decide to hold the ssamjang on one of your wraps.

Korean Fried Chicken (half serve)

If Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) is on the menu, then you have to order it, right?! We succumbed to our weakness for KFC by ordering a half serve to ensure we still had room to try a good variety of new dishes on the MiMi menu. Just like Plus 82 POCHA, MiMi's KFC is delicious! The boneless chicken's crispy (and non-oily) exterior protects the meat perfectly ensuring a juicy and tender chicken within. With house made pickles on the side and a variety of sauces to choose from including the spicy devil BBQ sauce, Yuzu garlic soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce, you will be wondering why you didn't just go the full serve!

With the perfect combination of traditional and modern Korean dishes, MiMi’s new menu is divided into small, medium and large dishes offering something new to the restaurant group's existing Korean offering. Our hardest decision now, is deciding which venue to return to first!

We thoroughly enjoyed the tapas style menu at MiMi, as it allowed us to order a large variety of dishes to share amongst the table, keeping our palates eager and excited along the way. With dining restrictions continuing to lift in Adelaide, MiMi should definitely be on your (no doubt very long) list of restaurants to get to!

Bookmark us on Zomato

The Gallery - New Rooftop Menu

2020-06-29T20:31:00.002+09:30

The Gallery - 30 Waymouth Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000

The Gallery on Waymouth Street has always been that reliable place for us to catch up with friends over a few drinks and nibbles, while enjoying the fun vibe and city views on the rooftop. Our most recent visit in March, just before COVID-19 hit and changed our lives as we knew it, was too memorable not to share. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of The Gallery.

Rooftop Spritzers & Lunch

We (Dani & Amanda) visited The Gallery on a sunny Autumn day to check out the relocation of the ground floor kitchen to the Level Three rooftop, which has resulted in a new rooftop pizza and tapas menu, and a larger Level One Gallery function room. With so many delicious sounding items on the new menu it was difficult not to order one of everything but it was lunch and we had to return to work, so we restrained ourselves and decided on a few select items to try.

Pimm's Spritz, Gin & Elderflower Spritz $16 each

The Gallery’s beverage menu includes a generous selection of cocktails, mocktails and spritzers, along with an impressive array of South Australian wines. Keen to make the most of the sunshine during our lunchtime, we chose a couple of light sparkling and very refreshing spritzers as our aperitif cocktails. The Pimm's Spritz echoed all of the classic flavours of a Pimm's Cup enlivened with a bubbly dash of Prosecco and the Gin and Elderflower Spritz was a delightful balance of sweet floral liqueur with the citrus edge of the gin.

Pumpkin Arancini $14 (front), Greens Salad $10 (back left)

The pumpkin and parmesan arancini topped with pesto were some of the best arancini we’ve had in a long time. These crisp, golden balls were stuffed with flavourful, fluffy and comforting morsels of rice, pumpkin and moreish parmesan. The fresh pesto helped to cut through the richness with a herbaceous zing.

The shaved zucchini, mint pistachios and ricotta green salad was a light, bright, side dish, which worked perfectly with our tapas selection. Raw zucchini ribbons curled around creamy dollops of ricotta in their lemony dressing were a delicious accompaniment. The pistachios were a nice touch; adding sweetness and texture to the dish.

Haloumi $10 & Squid $12

This molten, golden, salty pan seared haloumi with olive oil and mint was perfect in its cheesy simplicity. The lovely golden crust on the haloumi's outside soaked up the delicate flavours of the drizzled olive oil and finely chopped mint surrounding its soft and squishy centre.

The swirling tendrils of lightly floured squid were hot, crisp, tasty and incredibly easy to devour. The wedge of lime was a nice touch, though we felt a creamy aioli or something similar to dip the tender squid into would have rounded out the dish.

Mushroom Pizza $18

We have tried our fair share of pizza at On The Chopping Board, so we couldn’t pass up the classic flavour combination of mushrooms and truffle from The Gallery’s new menu. The thin crusted base was generously topped with sautéed mushrooms, mozzarella and goats cheese and wasn’t too oily, despite the rich toppings. The fresh rocket on top also assisted to cut through the decadence of the mushroom, truffle and goats cheese blend.

The Gallery currently offers a $25 ‘Dough + Drink’ deal of any pizza on their menu with a pint of tap beer or glass of house wine. We will definitely be heading back for a relaxed lunch or evening on the rooftop to try one of the other 8 pizza topping options on offer.

Level One Gallery Function Room

Level Two Waymouth Function Room

With social restrictions easing across the state, we’re keen to get out for a party, and The Gallery are certainly ready to accommodate. We have heard many favourable secondhand reviews of small CBD weddings and have been fortunate to attend a few work functions in their established Level Two Waymouth function room for 180 pax (140 seated).

The Gallery has now freshly renovated their Level One Gallery function room which can hold 120 pax (standing). The room’s large windows let the natural light stream in and local artists are featured on the walls to provide an engaging and ever-changing visual display.

Our visit to The Gallery had us leaving excited to return. Everything we tried from the new menu was delicious, well presented, and hot and fresh straight from the rooftop kitchen! Relocating the kitchen from the ground floor to the rooftop was definitely a wise choice. So dust off those going out clothes and make your return to dining out worth your while with a visit to The Gallery.

Bookmark us on Zomato

QUICK CHOP – DIY PIZZA KIT FROM PIZZA E MOZZARELLA

2020-04-20T17:11:00.000+09:30

Pizza e Mozzarella Bar - 33 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000

DIY Pizza Kit $30

With restaurants closed at the moment, home cooking is becoming a lot more popular but sometimes it pays to have the help of the experts to make sure your attempts at dinner are successful. It’s also highly likely that you and your significant other are at the stage of isolation where your Netflix choices are getting rather random (such as certain tiger docuseries), you’ve got RSI from rolling dice and shuffling cards and your thighs are burning from either a multitude of home workouts or the effort of getting up off the couch after being in the same position for 8 hours, and you’re keen for a new activity to try together.

The team at Pizza e Mozzarella Bar have come to our rescue with their new DIY pizza kits. For just $30 you will get four pillowy-soft 72-hour slow-fermented dough balls, authentic Italian sugo, fior di latte cheese and a fragrant handful of fresh basil.

Stretching the dough

I (Dani) couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to create these incredible pizzas at home - in less than 30 minutes from opening the box we had dinner on the table! With the oven pre-heating, all you need to do is stretch out the dough, spread over a layer of aromatic sugo, sprinkle on some pieces of milky fior di latte and add a few decorative touches of basil. You are, of course, welcome to buy and add your own additional toppings, however Pizza e Mozzarella recommends keeping them to a maximum of 4. I certainly agree, as the quality and flavour of the ingredients provided are incredibly satisfying just by themselves.

Ready for the oven

Pop your culinary creation into the oven for 15 minutes and you’ll have a perfect, crispy crusted pizza which wafts the heavenly flavours of bubbling cheese and savoury tomato sauce throughout your house. Perfect for an iso-friendly date night, and we cooked and enjoyed the extra two pizza dough balls for lunch the next day!

Our homemade masterpiece!

The kits are available for delivery through Ubereats, Menulog, Deliveroo or Easi or you can contact Pizza e Mozzarella directly on 8164 1003 for a social distancing safe pick up or delivery from their Pirie Street storefront. If you’re still not sold on the idea of making a pizza yourself, the Pizza e Mozzarella team are also still happy to cook a pizza from their takeaway menu for you. Their current opening hours are Monday-Friday 12-8pm and Saturday 5:30-8:30pm.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Sprout at Home - cooking classes in your own kitchen!

2020-04-15T15:18:00.000+09:30

Sprout at Home - Online Cooking Classes

Many of us are finding ourselves with a few spare hours up our sleeves at the moment due to the current coronavirus pandemic. The hours we would normally spend stuck in peak hour traffic on the commute to work, visiting family and friends, running errands on the weekends or even eating out at cafés and restaurants, are now extra hours we have to spend staying at home. For many of us, these extra hours are being spent in the kitchen. However, even with all the extra time, it can often be hard to find the inspiration in our own kitchens to create new meals and learn new skills. That’s where Sprout at Home comes in!

Sprout have been delivering 100% hands-on cooking classes in their purpose-built kitchen in Adelaide for the better part of a decade, with the aim to teach delicious, healthy dishes and valuable skills to their students.

Just like their hands-on live cooking classes, Sprout at Home is bringing quick, easy and healthy recipes straight to your kitchen, with fun and informative videos to guide you through the whole process.

Unsure where to start? The Sprout at Home online cooking classes feature a great range of recipes suited for those new in the kitchen as well as more confident cooks. Whether it’s chicken fajitas with tomato salsa and lime yoghurt, ricotta gnocchi with basil, olive and tomatoes or pork san choy bau with carrot and cucumber salad, there’s a meal everyone will love, many of which are sure to become household favourites.

Time poor or unable to get yourself to the shops right now? Sprout have thought of that, too! For all of Sprout’s online cooking classes, ingredient packs are able to be purchased and delivered straight to your door.

Sprout at Home ingredients package

Over the long weekend, I (Taylor) was lucky enough to try out one of the Sprout at Home cooking classes. The online cooking class, recipe and all ingredients were kindly provided on behalf of Sprout. The recipe I learnt to cook was barramundi with pomegranate and quinoa tabouli and herb yoghurt.

Set up and ready to cook with the online cooking class video in my own kitchen!

The nutritious dish was packed full of fresh seasonal veggies and herbs, and taught me a few tricks for cooking fish that I hadn’t tried before at home. The recipe was easy to follow, and the video was clear, and most importantly, fun to watch! The positive energy Themis and Emilee brought to the screen was fantastic, making me want to download and watch more videos straight away.

My finished dish - Barramundi with pomegranate & quinoa tabouli and herb yoghurt

With Sprout at Home online cooking classes available instantly to experience anywhere, anytime, there’s never been a better time to learn some new skills in the kitchen. Online cooking classes are available from just $5 per class, with ingredients available per serve for an additional yet affordable cost.

For a bit of fun, why not choose a recipe with a group of friends and all cook it together (in your own homes) this weekend and host a virtual dinner party? Or organise a cooking class and the ingredients to be delivered to a friend or family member as a surprise gift.

Visit Sprout for all of the details about Sprout at Home, and check out our Instagram @onthechoppingboard to cook step-by-step with us in our stories!

Quick Chop - New salad menu at Recess

2020-03-06T17:18:00.000+10:30

Recess - 21 Bank Street, Adelaide SA 5000

The thoroughfare of Bank Street, connecting the foot traffic of the Adelaide Railway Station and North Terrace to Hindley Street and the extended CBD, is a stretch many of us have commuted up and down. With the Adelaide Fringe encouraging late nights out and less meal prep, your morning or lunchtime journey through this area may currently be in search of something quick and convenient to pick up and take away to eat in the sunshine or back at your desk on a particularly busy day.

Recess storefront on Bank Street

Shaun Campbell and Simon Orders, the co-founders of popular bar Bank Street Social, saw the need for tastier and healthier options along a strip hosting a high volume of fast food establishments and as a result, opened Recess in late 2019. Their menu offers a range of gastronomic delights in the form of salads and ‘sangas’, which are full of enough veggies to help you feel good about your life choices, but also enough fresh flavours and cheesy goodness to satisfy those with more discerning palates. We were recently invited to take a seat at one of their storefront café tables to try their new summer salad menu in the midday sunshine.

Balsamic-grilled peach w. mozzarella, basil and grains $12 (we added the prosciutto for $3)

Ripe, juicy peach slices have a gorgeous zebra pattern from the grill which caramelises their natural sugars against the soft flesh. Their sweetness contrasts delightfully with the salty prosciutto and creamy mozzarella, resulting in a complex and vibrant palate, which is invigorated by additional bursts of flavour and texture thanks to a sprinkling of almonds and goji berries.

Orecchiette pasta, greens, chilli and pecorino $12 (option to add prosciutto for $3)

If you’re looking for a healthy option, don’t let the pasta nomenclature dissuade you from this dish. The density of the perfectly cooked pasta is lightened by delicate florets of blanched broccoli beneath its webbing of melting cheese. Pops of lemon, chilli and basil cut through the richness of the creamy dressing. Perfect for fromage fanatics or if you want some carbs, but not the usual feeling of needing a nap afterwards!

Roast cauliflower, baba ghanoush, pomegranate and flat bread $12 (option to add chicken for $3)

Velvety baba ghanoush weaves its smoky tones around the sweetness of the roasted cauliflower. Recess cleverly plays with textures, adding more eggplant and cauliflower in the form of thinly sliced strips and a fine dice respectively. The flat bread is still warm from the grill and is perfect for facilitating each pomegranate bejeweled mouthful from plate to eagerly waiting mouth.

Pearl couscous, tomato, cucumber, mint and feta $12 (option to add chicken for $3)

Light and bright – this dish radiates summer. The couscous has a defined structure which delightfully melts away to a soft creaminess after the first couple of chews. With cool flavours of mint and cucumber, an array of ruby-toned cherry tomatoes and salty chunks of feta, this is a perfect light lunch.

Recess offers a very affordable, restaurant-like experience from their tiny 16 square metre frontage. It is perfect for those tired of the standard sushi or pho quick fixes which predominantly make up the more nutritious choices in this part of the CBD and is wonderfully easy to pick up quickly if you have to stay on the move. I’ll (Dani) definitely be back for their divine orecchiette and am very excited to see what seasonal selections will be served up in future.

Bookmark us on Zomato

Sean's Kitchen - 2020 Lunar New Year with Cheong Liew

2020-02-14T13:50:00.002+10:30

Sean's Kitchen - Adelaide Casino, North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000

When I (Amanda) discovered that the legendary Cheong Liew was bringing a special one night only menu to Sean's Kitchen to celebrate the 2020 Lunar New Year, I couldn't make a booking quick enough! A long time fan, I look forward to the few exclusive events Cheong appears at, and knew this collaboration dinner with Sean Connolly couldn't be missed.

Chefs - Cheong Liew & Sean Connolly

With a full house turning up to try Cheong's special menu to celebrate the year of the rat, we were so lucky and honoured to find that there was only room for us at the chef's table right inside the kitchen! Taking a seat a few steps from the action, we quickly realise just how hot a chef's job is in the kitchen, especially for those cooking over the fire pit. Settling into our rockstar seats, we take an excited sip of our champagne, while the first lunar new year dish is presented to us by Cheong.

Yu Shang Lunar New Year Raw Fish Salad $22

The first dish named "Great to be Alive to Bring in the New Year" is a Yu Shang raw fish salad that Cheong tells us is a southeast Asian traditional new year dish. He informs us that this dish is normally made with carp but tonight he used a combination of raw salmon and kingfish. The dish is then made even more exciting when Cheong tells us we all need to toss the salad with our chopsticks and make a wish for the new year. This tradition of mixing the salad together symbolises an abundance of luck, prosperity and happiness for the new year. Sounds like a great start to dinner to me!

Once Cheong gives us the green light to stop mixing and start eating, we are met with a satisfying mouthful of fresh, flavourful and textural elements. With a combination of fresh and pickled ingredients including daikon, beetroot, carrot, ginger, herbs and crispy fried pastry, pulled together with a Japanese salted plum sauce also using plums from Cheong's own back garden, we were in awe of this delicious good luck dish with every single bite.

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay

Deciding to share some of the lunar new year prosperity and strength with the Adelaide Hills community recently devastated by bushfires, we decide on the Shaw + Smith 2018 M3 Chardonnay to accompany our next course, which is a medley of vegetarian dishes. If your first thought is that you're not a chardonnay lover, then take one sip of this one and tell me it doesn't change your mind in an instant. One of my favourite wines (and this is coming from someone who is not a fan of chardonnay).

Bean Curd Rolls

The first of the vegetarian dishes is a bean curd roll, which Cheong made himself at home. He made the bean curd with the aim of making the texture similar to that of eating meat... and we think he succeeded. It really was the best bean curd I've ever eaten, so thanks Cheong, I'm never going to be able to eat bean curd anywhere else ever again, so I hope he won't mind me popping over for Sunday family dinners! Paired with the freshness and heat from the apple and cucumber salad with a chilli mustard dressing, it was a great accompaniment to complement the flavour and texture of the almost meaty bean curd roll.

Silken Tofu

The next vegetarian dish to amaze our tastebuds was the organic fresh silken tofu, served with smoked soy bean (smoked at home by Cheong) with Wakame seaweed, honey and a black bean chilli oil and topped with fried enoki. Again, Cheong masters the perfect balance of texture and flavours with the soft freshness of the silky tofu, the depth of flavour in the smokiness of the soy bean, the kick of heat with the chilli and the crisp texture of the delicate enoki. An absolute winner of a dish.

Eggplant Tarts

The third vegetarian morsel was the sweet and sour eggplant tart. The delicate pastry shell hand made by one of the talented chefs at Sean's Kitchen, was perfectly crisp and flakey and held the sweet and sour eggplant, enhanced with the surprise addition of hazelnuts.

Tomato Gazpacho Shots

To cleanse our palate, Cheong presented a tomato jelly with gazpacho, a cold soup made with raw blended vegetables. This shot of goodness succeeded in doing just that, cleansing our palate with a cold, refreshing burst of flavour.

Vinteloper Touriga Nacional

To accompany our last two dishes we settle on another Adelaide Hills winery Vinteloper, and select the medium bodied red wine, Touriga Nacional. An easy drinking red wine, which worked wonderfully with both the upcoming fish and pork dishes.

Red Roast Barramundi $38

The next new year dish named "Always of Surplus" was a red roast barramundi with a leek fondue, celery. green chilli, spring onion, shaved calamari and snow pea tendrils. This dish was exceptionally moreish. The barramundi was pan fried skin side down in a miso based sauce, which created a crisp and caramelised skin on the stunning juicy fish. The thinly shaved South Australian calamari on top was very lightly cooked, which ensured the delicate calamari melted in our mouths. The creamy decadence of the leek fondue and the freshness of the snow pea tendrils rounded out this dish perfectly.

Suckling Pig $42

Our final savoury course was named "Prosperity with Strength & Smooth Sailing for the Year" and was a suckling pig stuffed with glutinous rice and served with XO sauce. We loved the tender meat surrounding the sticky glutinous rice and earthiness of chestnuts in the centre of a perfectly crisp skin, giving us that clean crunch we were hoping for. Combined with the salty fishy flavours and heat of the XO sauce made for an interesting and delicious dish.

Roasted Pineapple & Coconut Mousse Torte $14

For dessert we had the "Abundance of Profit", a roasted pineapple and coconut mousse torte with bitter chocolate cream and a Smiley Joe. A wonderful way to complete our meal, this dessert embodied everything Cheong aims to incorporate in all his dishes - varying textures, flavours and cultures. We loved the addition of the Smiley Joe, a deep fried sesame ball, made for the new year, bringing a savoury nutty flavour to the sweet, tart and bitter flavours of this delicious dessert.

The Chef's Table

We were immensely glad we made the effort to make a reservation for Cheong's Kitchen Lunar New Year special event at Sean's Kitchen, as it was truly one of the highlight dinners of our life! Having the honour of dining at the chef's table and indulging in a magnificent menu designed by Cheong and executed beautifully by himself and the chefs at Sean's Kitchen, was a night that will forever put a smile on our face.

Sean Connolly signing the Damn Fine Wall

On our departure, we had the opportunity to watch Sean and Cheong sign the 'damn fine wall' located in Sean's Kitchen. This artwork is by typographer and artist Tania DeBono who is based in New York and makes for not only a great place for all the legendary chefs to leave their autograph, but also a fun selfie location!

Cheong Liew signing the Damn Fine Wall

We love to dine at Sean's Kitchen, which is evident in the many reviews we have enjoyed writing over the years. If you are looking for an excuse to visit, then start planning for the upcoming Crab Carnival running at Sean's Kitchen from Tuesday 17 March, until Sunday 12 April 2020. A fantastic event serving up delicious crab dishes such as the Chilli Mud Crab and Louisiana Crab Boil alongside many other crab favourites.

If you want to seek out Cheong Liew, then you will find him being amazing at the Tasting Australia festival on Friday 27 March until Sunday 5 April 2020. To book your spot at Cheong's Glasshouse Kitchen four course dinner visit the Tasting Australia Glasshouse Kitchen event page.

Happy New Year!

Bookmark us on Zomato

Arbour Kitchen - Fresh new lunch menu

2020-01-17T20:08:00.000+10:30

Arbour Kitchen - 150 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000

The season of relaxed morning brunches and languid long lunches is upon us. Already a well known brunch location with their all day breakfast menu; Arbour Kitchen invited us into their restaurant to try their brand new lunch fare. Prioritising seasonal and local produce, they have expanded upon their plant-based options and refining their land-based plates. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of Arbour Kitchen.

Vegan Chicken Caesar $16

Arbour Kitchen embraces the sunny weather in their large open-plan cafe, with natural light streaming through the floor to ceiling length windows, which creates a wonderful sense of space within the venue, with long tables aligned under a jungle of hanging plants.

Enjoying the hit of Vitamin D, we savoured their Vegan Chicken Caesar Salad - still an intensely flavoured, textual affair despite the plant-based substitutions. A smooth, tangy and rich dressing ties together the crispy soy nuggets, crisp lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, cucumber, candied walnuts and vegan parmesan into a satisfying and filling dish.

Along with the vegan Corn Chip and Black Bean Mexican Salad, Asian-inspired Soba Noodle Salad with seared beef and aromatic quinoa and Black Garlic Roasted Chicken Salad, Arbour’s salad selections offers plenty of vegetable-filled options for those looking for a healthier midday meal.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger $19

Here at On The Chopping Board (OTCB), we know and love our burgers, and the variety of brioche bun enclosed options, such as the sriracha aioli covered Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger, vegan Eggplant Schnitzel Burger with sweet caramelised onion, cheesy Wagyu Beef Burger, and tabouli-strewn Yiros Burger at Arbour are all impressively sized, delicious and served with a side of well-seasoned chips. To customise your meal, there are optional additions such as bacon, egg, onion rings and jalapenos and you can request a gluten free bun if required.

Spaghetti (vegan) $18

Arbour also offer a selection of quality house-made pastas, which includes indulgent tagliatelle with smoked pork hock and candied apple, ocean-inspired linguine with local South Australian prawns, traditional pappardelle with pork and fennel sausage and verdantly herbaceous vegan spaghetti.

If you would like to treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage such as a cocktail, bubbles, wine (owner Damon Nagel’s Brackenwood Vineyard varieties from the Adelaide Hills are worth a sip!) or a local beer from breweries such as Pikes, Pirate Life and Prancing Pony on your visit, Arbour is licenced and happy to assist. Alternatively, their coffees from Bean Revolution will put a spring in your step.

Roast Chicken Salad $17

You can find Arbour Kitchen on the Wright Street corner of Whitmore Square, where they are serving their fresh new lunch menu seven days a week.

48 Flavours - Try them all!

2019-12-05T12:51:00.000+10:30

48 Flavours - 78 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000

As the days continue to grow warmer, the idea of ending long summer evenings with an icy treat becomes increasingly appealing. A long time fan of creamy, frozen goodness, I (Dani) have certainly had my fair share of such outings and 48 Flavours is one of my go-to locations for quality, locally made artisan gelato.

Family business 48 Flavours is becoming very popular with Adelaidians – so much so that, in addition to their Magill and Gouger Street stores, they have now opened their third store in Paralowie Village Shopping Centre. They have invited us to their original Gouger Street store to experience their rainbow of options, in particular their new flavours and dairy-free varieties, all of which are made fresh daily.

48 Flavours - Gouger Street store

Being just around the corner from the Adelaide Central Market, 48 Flavours is perfectly situated to make the most of fresh, seasonal produce in the creation of their products. Each of the fruit sorbets contains at least 1kg of fresh fruit and the nuts mixed through their concoctions are sourced from one of the nearby vendors. The proximity of Chinatown has been fortuitous with local shop owners helpfully assisting with the selection of the matcha powder in the Green Tea flavour, the refinement of their incredibly popular Durian variety and inspiring their Black Sesame, Taro, Taro and Coconut, Lychee and Pandan flavours.

Plenty of options to choose from at 48 Flavours

With the seasonal markets providing an ever-changing array of options, you can be sure that each visit to the store will reveal a new addition to try. Today I am pleasantly surprised to find Banana, Peanut & Caramel has made its way onto the menu. The bananas have been sourced fresh from the markets and churned into a moreish medley with salted peanuts and caramel biscuit chunks.

In a society of dietary requirements and plant-based ethics, 48 Flavours doesn’t want those who don’t partake in dairy to miss out on the fun. They have a range of oh-so-soft and creamy soy-based flavours which are nearly impossible to differentiate from their cow-based counterparts. The generous scoop of soy Banana, Fig & Walnut that I tuck into is velvety and intense, with a nectarous fig syrup winding its way between the earthy sharpness of the crunchy walnut pieces.

Selection of sorbets and ice cream at 48 Flavours

For something a little more refreshing for the palate, there are usually quite a few dairy-free sorbets available to try as well. I have a taste test of the Blood Orange, bright with sweet aperol spritz impressions, but the temptation of recreating summer in a cone has me layering a bright pink scoop of Watermelon sorbet on top of a Pineapple sorbet. No water is added to the Watermelon, the luscious blend is created from the pure fruit and juices, and I appreciate the complete lack of confectionery quality which often comes from others attempts at imitating the flavour with chemicals. The richness of the Watermelon balances nicely with the Pineapple layered underneath. Small pieces of the yellow fruit are swirled through a well-blended balance of intense sweetness and a tart bite.

Be sure to drop into your local store to treat yourself sometime soon, and keep an eye out in their freezer over the next few weeks for their limited edition White Peach flavour!

RoccoPizza - Affordable artisanal pizzas hidden in the western suburbs

2019-11-20T19:01:00.000+10:30

RoccoPizza - 336 Findon Rd, Kidman Park SA 5025

Unassumingly situated along a quieter stretch of Findon Road in Kidman Park, is a pizza restaurant which may not be on your radar. We walk in past the large outdoor cafeteria-style tables outside to be greeted warmly by a bustling crew of smiling kitchen staff. A large custom-made wood oven glows from the corner of the space and the open preparation space offers views of orders at various stages of completion. Owner Rocco DeAngelis hails us with enthusiasm and a sample of his incredible bread from the front counter. After nearly two decades of international travels, Rocco has refined his considerable culinary knowledge into the creation of what he claims to be the perfect pizza, and he has invited us to come and try it.

Rocco Pizza

His passion is evident not just in his charming and congenial manner, but also in his techniques. With a wife who suffers from gluten intolerance and a young son who is confronted by a fast food based world daily, Rocco is personally aware of the importance of dietary friendly and nutritious menu options. His sourdough bases are free from oil, sugar and yeast and fermented naturally for three days before they are served from the restaurant. This 72 hour proof breaks down the majority of gluten and sugars present in the wheat-based flour, to the point where Rocco has found that many people with gluten sensitivities are unaffected by his end product. Rocco also reduces the overall gluten content by using gluten free polenta, rather than fresh flour, when flattening the dough into the pizza base.

Rocco's bases - prepped and ready to go

The pizza menu at RoccoPizza has remained largely unchanged since they first opened. Classic Italian toppings in both vegetarian and meat based formats are offered (no pineapple shall sully Rocco’s creations). Rocco is happy to collaborate with his customers to ensure that the toppings are as friendly to their dietary requirements as his bases, and will happily substitute or create a entirely new option based on their desires or restrictions. Rocco provides us with expert guidance as we struggle to make a selection from all the delicious options listed and we grab a seat while we wait for the guys in the kitchen to work their magic.

At 400 degrees Rocco’s oven makes quick work of cooking the pizzas, taking only 3 minutes to cook each one. The indoor seating at Rocco’s is spacious and family friendly. Tables of 10+ people can be booked ahead of time and all of Rocco’s menu can be requested as take-away. There is also no corkage if you would like to bring in a bottle of your own wine or another beverage of choice to enjoy with your meal.

Atomica $19.99 (with house pork & fennel salsiccia added)

Despite the delectable aroma and appearance of the toppings, the first thing you notice about Rocco’s pizza is its base. Unlike a lot of the thicker, fluffier Naples style pizzas currently available around Adelaide, Rocco’s pizzas are Roman style - thin and crispy. This crisp crunch has not been achieved by overbaking either – when you bite in the base is still chewy and malleable, with just enough structure to support the weight of the toppings on each slice's journey from table to mouth.

Under it’s fresh rocket coating, the Atomica is layers of hot soppressa salami, gooey fior di latte mozzarella, oven-roasted red peppers, a mascarpone-gorgonzola crema and SA black olives. My dining partner could best be described as ‘carnivorous’, and was very excited to be given the option of adding a pork & fennel salsiccia (sausage) (made to Rocco’s secret recipe by the butcher down the road) to the Mediterranean medley. Though the meats and cheeses are quite rich; the manageable spice, textural rocket and piquant juiciness of the olives create a very well-rounded palate.

Pollo e Pesto $18.99 (with garlic parsley prawns added)

The Pollo e Pesto pops with color and herbaceous wafts of scent. The sous vide chicken thigh is exceptionally tender after it’s white wine marinade and the earthy house-made basil pesto and oven roasted red peppers are intensely flavoursome. We chose to add garlic parsley prawns, which are plump and juicy. A scattering of baby spinach and fior di latte mozzarella freshen the dish.

Funghi $15.99

A crusty polenta-clad base arrives supporting the weight of a moreish, melting blend of mushrooms and cheeses. Fresh mushrooms have been marinated in garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil before being oven roasted and their rich umami flavor is intensified by the nutty toasted parmesan. A thick gooey layer of fior di latte mozzarella melts across my tongue with every bite and as an enthusiastic cheese lover, I can say that Rocco and his team know how to serve formaggio at it’s best.

Dark Belgian Chocolate & Messy Berries $15.99 (with the optional Nutella topping added)

Despite having a sweet tooth, I’ve never been much of a dessert pizza fan. Pizza is a savoury dish in my mind and I wouldn’t want to potentially miss out on a tiramisu… As I make my way through my second piece of Rocco’s dessert pizza I can see that this perspective will need adjusting. The dark Belgian chocolate and roasted berries have enough bitterness and tartness respectively to balance out the natural sugars. Rocco’s crisp crust is a perfect savoury medley with the delicate saccharinity and the dusting of powdered sugar draws the dish together prettily. If you do prefer to amp up your sweetness, we suggest adding the optional Nutella drizzle which melts into the dish and is rather enjoyable to lick off fingers afterwards.

If you’re in the neighbourhood and looking for a reasonably healthy sit down meal or speedy take-away option for dinner (Henley and Grange beaches are only a 10 minute drive away), Rocco’s artisanal pizzas are a perfect family and budget friendly option.

MELBOURNE! Chocolate Buddha: Sushi, sushi and more sushi (no, not chocolate)

2019-11-17T14:15:00.002+10:30

CHOCOLATE BUDDHA - 8 Federation Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Image credit: Instagram / @chocolatebuddha

When we think of Federation Square in Melbourne we think 'Classic Tourist Attraction'.

And yes you're right, it's the perfect place to meet, you can watch the AFL Grand Final there if none of your mates want to host a BBQ but there is also a killer sushi place that everyone should try.

It goes by the name of Chocolate Buddha and it will take your taste buds straight to Japan and back.

Yes, that is a train and it comes straight to your seat!

The restaurant went on a six-month hiatus and has reopened with a new fit-out by award-winning architect Peter Maddison, so we were very excited to be invited to check out the new interior. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of Chocolate Buddha.

We started our dinner greeted by probably Melbourne's best waiters, Lucas (seriously, even if you don't like sushi you should go to Chocolate Buddha just to have Lucas has your waiter).

He then circled his favourite dishes on the menu and we obviously obliged and ordered his suggestions.

Spicy Edamame - $11

Starting courses like most people do in a Japanese restaurant, we ordered Edamame tossed in an Asian spicy sauce because waiting for your entrees without Edamame just seems wrong.

Aburi Scallops - $24, Salmon Maki Rolls - $19, Steamed Noodle Dumplings - $19

The first courses arrived bursting with colour; Aburi Scallops with steak sauce, tataki pesto and baby coriander did not disappoint with the scallops perfectly seared and the combination of sauces mixing in your mouth.

Salmon Maki Rolls with salmon, nikiri soy, shiso, mayo, cucumber and topped with wasabi masago were next, which were one of our favourites of the evening.

The Steamed Noodle Dumplings freshly prepared in-house with prawn, salmon, water chestnut and chives wrapped in brown rice noodles and steamed, served with a soy, ginger and sesame oil dressing was something entirely new. Think of them as a new take on dumplings as they are gluten free and wrapped in rice noodles instead of the usual dumpling dough.

Prawn Tobiko Maki - $18

The Prawn Tobiko Maki was next to hit our table with carrot, cucumber, avocado and mizuna covered in tempura crumb, tobiko mayo and katsu sauce. So this is when you regret bringing your date to a sushi restaurant because you're trying to shove the entire piece of sushi in your mouth. But you just have to deal with it because you simply must have all of these flavours at once.

Spicy Tempura Salmon Roll - $19

Finally, when we thought we couldn't fit anymore in, Lucas told us we had to try the Spicy Tempura Salmon Roll with zucchini, carrot, asparagus and tobiko with spicy mayo. When you meet Lucas you will also be persuaded to over order because of his charm. But seriously, no regrets with the Spicy Tempura Salmon Roll, it must not be forgotten when you visit.

Choya Apple Crumble - $15

White & Dark Chocolate Spring Rolls - $18

But then the dessert menu came and as usual, there is always room for dessert. We ordered the White and Dark Chocolate Spring Rolls, which were Belgian chocolate filled spring rolls with a caramel miso sauce and cream. To be completely honest, these could have been left off the order. But the Choya Apple Crumble with vanilla ice-cream was perfection. I am not an apple crumble fan at all, but this, had me looking at apple crumble in a whole new light.

Chocolate Buddha has vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options and is open Sunday–Monday 11:30am–09:30pm and Tuesday–Saturday 11:30am–10:00pm.

The Holdy - Nautical Pub Food Fun!

2019-11-05T21:59:00.001+10:30

The Holdy - 83 Brighton Road Glenelg SA 5045

Earlier this year Dani from On The Chopping Board (OTCB) visited The Holdy to review their new menu. So when we were asked to return to try a couple of the refreshed dishes, I (Amanda) was excited to see what The Holdy had to offer. All food and beverages were provided on behalf of The Holdy.

White Wine Starters!

Stepping into the nautical themed restaurant, I felt like I should have brought a sailor hat and slipped on a blue and white striped dress to really immerse myself amongst the ship-like interior at this nearby seaside hotel. To cool us down on this particularly balmy Spring night, we selected two nicely chilled South Australian white wines while we studied the new dish options on the menu.

400g Rib Eye $38

We couldn't pass up the 400g Rib Eye with a garlic and chive butter, served with baked chat potatoes topped with sour cream and cheese and a side of coleslaw. The rib eye was cooked medium and maybe with a little more resting time we might not have had the pool of meat juices oozing into our coleslaw. Thankfully the rib eye was a lovely pink inside, tender and even tastier when spread with the garlic and chive butter.

The baked potatoes were cooked well, almost fluffy inside and a classic baked combination with the sour cream, cheese and coleslaw accompaniments. We prefer our coleslaw a little more tangy and think this creamy version would have benefited from some more acidity to cut through the richness of the potato, sour cream and large piece of meat!

Atlantic Salmon $29

My guest for the night (Lydia) ordered the Seared Atlantic Salmon Fillet with an avocado and mango salsa and coconut rice with lime. Her initial thoughts as the dish was brought to the table was that the presentation was reflective of a fine-dining experience, and not your standard pub fare. With a perfect crispy skin, the salmon was cooked ever so slightly over how we would normally like it, though nothing was compromised in the flavour. The fresh avocado and mango salsa was a perfect accompaniment to the fish, and paired nicely with the subtly flavoured coconut rice.

Overall we had a quick, simple and tasty weeknight pub meal, in a pleasant and comfortable venue conducive to good dinner conversation. With a large menu it was hard to decide which dishes to try on the night, especially with chargrilled souvlaki squid salad, and Texas glazed pork ribs calling our name but now we have another excuse to return. So get onboard the Holdy and check out all the new dishes on offer now.

Quick Chop! Bottega Gelateria

2019-10-23T19:05:00.000+10:30

Bottega Gelateria - 249a Seaview Road, Henley Beach SA, 5021

With Spring here and Summer only a few months away, what better time to visit the beach! And let's be honest, there is never a bad time for gelati.

Bottega Gelateria, located in Henley Beach only a stone's throw away from the beach is a perfect location for your gelati fix.

With its limited flavour palette, Bottega Gelateria's focus is on quality and not quantity (of flavours). Stick to a limited palette and do it well.

I (Mirko) tend to judge a gelateria (whether rightfully or wrongfully) on their pistachio gelati. If it tastes artificial or looks too green, I have usually found that the rest of the flavours tend to be pretty average. This was definitely not the case with Bottega.

All flavours tasted were delicious and creamy. The pistachio and nocciola didn't have any of the artificial flavouring that I desperately hate, the vanilla not overly sweet and the dark chocolate had that hint of bitterness that one would expect. Very happy with my choices!

Pistachio and Nocciola

Dark Chocolate and Vanilla

If you are in the neighbourhood and looking for a sweet fix, visit Bottega Gelateria, you will not be disappointed!

Madre - A slice of perfection.

2019-09-11T20:16:00.003+09:30

Madre - 7 Gilbert St, Adelaide SA 5000

Though Gilbert Street is within the confines of the CBD, it is a relatively relaxed thoroughfare compared to the consistent bustle of traffic along King William. A local to this area of the city, I (Dani) have often wandered along its length in pursuit of coffee and Mylor pumpkin sourdough at Paddy’s Lantern, gin and a grazing platter at Prohibition, or a cheeky afternoon session of trying out the latest tap selections at the Gilbert Street Hotel. In recent weeks there has been a new, welcoming glow radiating out onto the pavement from the wood-framed windows of Madre – an exciting spin off from the crew behind Pizzateca.

Madre from Gilbert street

A long time fan of the McLaren Vale based restaurant, the news that their exceptional pizza would be within walking distance had me in a frisson of excitement. Since opening, they have introduced an online booking facility which I luckily used, and despite their almost secretive opening a couple of weeks ago, there were very few free tables when we arrived on a weeknight.

The restaurant welcomed us from the cool night air and into its arms with friendly grins from the waiters and laid-back blues tunes gently pouring from its record player (no Spotify here). As we were led to our table, the warm pinks and honey-coloured woods lining the restaurant walls deepened back into oceanic blues and an open kitchen featuring busy chefs, a roaring pizza oven and a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by dramatically dripping candles.

We started by whetting our appetites with an aperitif cocktail. The waiter knowledgeably enquired as to our martini preferences (gin, stirred, dry and dirty, if you please) and the resulting beverage was one of the finer examples I’ve had the pleasure of trying in quite some time. As we sipped at the silky, savoury liquid, we perused the menu. Madre offers a range of antipasto, montanere (small fried pizzas), morzilli (small pizza-bread sandwiches) frittura (fried appetisers), insalata (salads), siamo fritti (calzone), a pasta of the day and dal mare (‘from the sea’ – a dish of marinated octopus).

The main feature of the menu however, and why we are here, is the pizza. Madre’s pizza dough combines sea water imported from Italy, tipo 00 flour and a sourdough starter which has been fermenting since 2013. Unlike the dough of Pizzateca, which has a chewy, crisp finish to its crust; the dappled, air pocket-filled base which is served to our table is pillowy, light and utterly divine. The sauce is simply crushed, flavourful San Marzano tomatoes and the pizza is left uncut after leaving the oven. As my knife tears into the melting cheese and slight resistance of the dough, I experience something which I’m sure is akin to the feelings of those who are tasked with destroying a Buddhist sand mandala.

Marghertia pizza $21

The ‘Margherita’ is a symphony of simplicity. The acidic San Marzano tomato base perfectly complements the mild, creamy warmth of the melting fior di latte cheese and the scattering of basil creates a mouthwatering herbaceousness which bursts into each alternative bite.

Concetta pizza $27

We also try the ‘Concetta’ – pork sausage mince and long slices of fried eggplant, scattered across the leopard-like base and strewn in stringy, piquant scamorza cheese. Rich in contrast to the Margherita, the savoury pork and umami of the eggplant is lifted nicely by the aged, acidic bite of the cheese.

As I sip on a glass of Babo Sangiovese, which blooms from it’s 90% Chianti base with a sweet cherry-driven palate, I have no hesitations to nodding an affirmative to the waiter’s enquiry as to if we would like to see the dessert menu – despite having enthusiastically enjoyed an entire pizza already. As is my usual style when faced by a wavering indecision between dessert (‘dolce’ here) options, I just decided to order both.

Caprese Affagato $14

The Caprese Affogata is served with a shot of freshly brewed espresso, which is slowly drizzled over the simple decadence of the dark chocolate and almond flourless cake by our congenial waiter. The cake itself has a quite light crumb for an almond meal-based recipe, which helps it to soak up the coffee in an almost tiramisu-like fashion. Bitter-sweet diced orange zest bounces through the deep palate, but I feel that a dab of something creamy would have really helped this dessert to shine.

Rhum Baba $15

Then the Rhum Baba – my oh my! Homemade 36 hour naturally fermented baba, dark rhum syrup, house made custard diplomatica strewn with poached cherries. The baba itself is a baked web of light dough, upon which sticky sweet syrup sits like dew on a spiders web, rather than with the heavy moistness you’d find in a tiramisu or pudding. Nestled within it’s centre, the custard diplomatica (essentially a creme patissiere for those more familiar with the French terminology) has a creamy depth which smooths itself into each mouthful like a dairy-based velvet. The cherries give the dish a ‘black forest’ like aesthetic as their tartness mixes with the sweet cream and liquor-infused syrup.

Walking through Madre’s doors is accepting an invitation to an evening of indulgence of the senses. The tasteful decor, enthusiastic staff and, of course, the incredible food makes it easy to relax into an enjoyable evening, and I recommend that you book in to do so yourself sometime soon.

Ambiance: 4/5 - The modern interior, easy tunes and interesting eclectic touches (listen out for the Italian cinema track in the bathroom!) make for a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Service: 5/5 - Very attentive but not to the point of being intrusive.
Food: 9/10 - Madre's respect for traditional cooking techniques and ingredients is evident in their dishes, which demonstrate true artisanal skill.

In total OTCB gives Madre 18/20 chops On The Chopping Board.

Sean's Kitchen - Oyster Festival 2019

2019-08-13T19:51:00.002+09:30

Sean's Kitchen - SKYCITY Casino, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

After starting 2019 with a visit to Coffin Bay, the source of some of the world’s best oysters, we were very excited to experience what the talented team at Sean’s Kitchen at the Adelaide Casino, had created for their annual Oyster Festival menu in 2019. We visited this week to try their creative collection of internationally inspired seafood dishes.

Local SA Oysters ($4 each)

Though Coffin Bay oysters are arguably one of the world’s most famous oysters, Sean’s offers the chance to try some other deliciously noteworthy contenders, which are all sourced from South Australian farms. After slurping up some freshly-shucked Coffin Bay samples ‘au naturale’, we used the delicate dropper bottles of Chardonnay and Shiraz based vinegars to flavour some Smoky Bay and Cowell varieties. The sharp tang of vinegar contrasted nicely with the creamy richness of the shellfish’s protein, however the oysters were so fresh and sweet on their own that it almost seemed a shame to add anything to their simple perfection.

In August, from Monday to Friday, 12pm-1pm and 5pm-6pm; Sean’s Kitchen will be offering oysters for just $2 a pop. Now I know they are this good I will definitely be popping by for a seafood inspired happy hour!

Oyster Po Boy ($18)

Sean’s Kitchen has taken this traditional Louisiana sandwich to a whole new level. Freshly shucked oysters have been southern fried to golden perfection and stuffed into a buttery brioche bun. Smothered in a creamy, herbaceous green goddess dressing and sprinkled with crunchy jalapeno, tomato, onion and cucumber salsa, these heavenly creations come two to a serve, but are difficult to share! Each bite is a wonderful blend of meltingly soft brioche, crisp salty oyster and silky aromatic dressing, with the tangy salsa cutting through the richness with a welcome sharpness.

Smoked Oysters ($22)

This sophisticated, Scandinavian inspired starter was beautifully presented on a large white plate amidst swirls of delicate oils. The rye toast was sliced thinly enough to keep the dish light, but still had enough structure to carry it’s moreish topping from plate to mouth. The briny, smokiness of the oysters danced with the creamy warmth of the horseradish cream and small pops of intense flavour from the capers and shallots helped to elevate the palate and brighten the dish nicely.

Beer Battered Oysters ($18)

A surprisingly light beer batter surrounded delicate morsels of perfectly cooked oyster. The beer added a light malty quality and the edges had been cooked to a crisp finish. Sticking to a classic ‘fish & chips’ theme, the oysters had been arranged on a bed of bright mashed peas and sprinkled with small crunchy pieces of extra batter. The touch of malt vinegar in the tender, sweet mash helped to break through the oils of the batter, though a little extra acid or citrus would have really perfected the dish.

Oyster & Leek Chowder $18

I was a little confused by this dish. Having always been a huge fan of chowder, I was honestly a little disappointed when the promised stew arrived in the form of a verdant green soup. The duck fat chips were cooked to golden perfection, however once our server had poured over the chowder in the suggested serving manner they absorbed the liquid and lost a lot of their original texture. The ‘chowder’ itself tasted lovely, with a gentle brine from the oysters and sweetness from the leeks, but the plating, ease of eating and liquid nature of this dish sadly let it down.

Beef Tartare $22

Sean's has given this classic, high end dish an oceanic makeover. After we enjoyed the delicately fried oyster beignet garnishing its peak, we found that the savoury, briny undertones of oyster mixed well with the sweetness of uncooked beef. The crunchy toast and crisp lettuce it was served with acted as a good canvas for the tartare’s buttery texture and a subtle vinaigrette tied everything together.

Carpet bag steak $56

Another culinary classic, this luxurious ‘surf & turf’ dish’s fragrant, savory aromas were absolutely mouth watering. 200 grams of quality Grasslands tenderloin was been stuffed with oysters and wrapped in prosciutto. It had then been seared to caramelised the crust before being oven roasted to medium-well. The saltiness of prosciutto penetrated the umami of the meat and sweetness of the seafood, while herbed Cafe de Paris butter and a refined jus melt into the succulent meat. A bed of tender green kale soaked up the escaping juices. The portion size was well judged, with enough of the dish to satiate and savor without overwhelming you with richness.

Joseph 'd'Elena' Pinot Grigio at Sean's

Sean’s Oyster Festival menu will be available for the rest of August. Their proximity to the Adelaide Festival Centre and small bars of the west end also makes them a perfect option for starting your evening on a high note, so start your ‘happy hour’ a little differently this month and pop in for a taste of some of SA’s best seafood and service.

Adelaide CBD Lunches - Healthy options for getting your ‘2 & 5’

2019-08-12T19:26:00.000+09:30

Adelaide CBD Lunches - Healthy options for getting your ‘2 & 5’

We all know that eating nutritious food is good for us and the Australian Government recommends that adults eat at least 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables per day. However, on a rushed lunch break it can be hard to find healthy options to grab on the go.

Here are our picks for takeaway bowls of rainbow goodness in the Adelaide CBD - all of which will be packaged up for you in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Juice Lovers Juicery - Regent Arcade, 34 Grenfell St, Adelaide SA 5000

Juice Lovers

Tucked away down Regent Arcade, this vegan-friendly cafe only uses fresh, organic and local produce. Their affordable and filling lunch options include an ever changing selection of plant-based burgers, hot pot, wraps and whole food bowls, which can be eaten at the cafe or ordered to take away. They also have a huge range of nourishing juices, smoothies and snacks if you feel like a tasty treat on the side.

Whole Food Bowl at Juice Lovers Juicery $13.90

Juice Lovers Juicery's 'Whole Food Bowl' option on our most recent lunch visit, came with an array of fresh vegetables, marinaded tofu, hearty brown rice and tangy tamari vinaigrette.

Bowlsome - 12 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000

Bowlsome (Franklin St)

After opening their flagship store at Henley Beach last year, Bowlsome have since expanded and can now also be found at Burnside Village and Franklin Street in the Adelaide CBD. Their wholesome bowls can be ordered from a chef curated menu or you can get creative and pick and choose from their large range of proteins, veggies, broths and dressings. If you’re looking for a healthy way to start your day, their breakfast bowls and sweet kefir bio bowls are available from 8am.

'Build Your Own' bowl at Bowlsome $15.00

On The Chopping Board (OTCB) have made frequent lunch time trips to Bowlsome, as their huge range of combinations can be easily tailored to your cravings on the day. On this particular visit, we decided to build our own bowl and enjoyed some turmeric cauliflower rice, hot smoked salmon, roasted and sauteed vegetables with a miso and roasted sesame dressing and a warming sprinkle of dried chili.

Poke Me - 92 Gawler Pl, Adelaide SA 5000

Poke Me

A fantastic option if you would like to choose your own adventure, Poke Me (pronounced ‘poh-kay’) starts from a healthy mixed-grain rice, green tea soba noodles, turmeric quinoa or a vegetable base to which you then add your choice of delicious and unique ingredients. Their Asian-influenced menu items include Tasmanian salmon, slow cooked pulled pork, edamame, kimchi and kinoko-seasoned mushrooms. If you're a little tired of sushi, but still want some fresh Japanese flavours, this is the lunch venue for you.

'Build Your Own' bowl at Poke Me $15.90

On our most recent visit to Poke Me we built our own bowl with the Tasmanian salmon and especially enjoyed the bright tasty toppings of pickled radish, nori and seven-spice.