Eat: Lost in a Forest

I suggest to you that pizza is one of life’s great simple pleasures.

I also suggest to you that a trip to Uraidla for a couple of shared pizzas at the intriguingly named Lost in a Forest is an Adelaide must do. Combine your trip with a visit to a local winery and/or nearby Hahndorf and you are well on your way to a quintessential Adelaide day out.

The bonus is that you don’t even need to get lost in a forest to find this place. It’s pretty easy to spot from the road.

What makes this trip worth it is the speck. Perhaps you are wondering if that is a stretch on my part. I guess there is only one way to find out.

We ordered the good doctor (confit garlic, brussel sprouts, SPECK, mozzarella and pecorino) and the buzzbomb (passata, mild soppressa, mozzarella, chilli infused honey).

The wood oven did its thing and produced two delicious pizzas with dough that is the stuff of dreams. That confit garlic stays with you for a few hours. Embrace it. We certainly had no room for dessert but if you do there is the option of a berries and cream dessert pizza. And I would certainly never judge anyone who orders it.

After cleaning our plates, we then rolled across the road for a drink at the Uraidla Hotel. If only a spot on the couch by the fire had been available… I might still be there now.

Lost in a Forest
1203 Greenhill Road
Uraidla SA 5142
08 8390 3444

Eat: Wake up and Grind It

Awake from a slumber! Sleeping is great. Sometimes waking up isn't so great. But breakfast should be. Especially if you can wangle a seat at Grind It on a beautiful sunny autumn weekend.

Grind It at Glenelg is a very popular spot and rightly so. The food is fantastic. The chai lattes are perfect. The find and secure a seat game is strategic. This is not a place for people in a rush or groups of more than four but, if you've got time up your sleeve and friends who don't mind bumping elbows, you will be rewarded. Eventually.

Here's what you might like to order. From top left clockwise – Fruit salad & yoghurt, French toast with fresh pear, Club BLT with avocado & poached egg and Polenta Johnny cakes.

Our share plate spin on the Johnny cakes.

I've been steadily making my way through the menu on each of my visits and I'm yet to be disappointed. Two thumbs up.

Icons: The Leicester's Schnitzels

In Adelaide, there is a place where legends are made. Men and women gather to measure their worth against the might and power of the holy schnitzel. Mysteriously oversized pieces or meat, crumbed and fried to perfection, await their fate.

The Earl of Leicester lies in the leafy streets of Parkside, minutes from the city's edge. Famous or infamous, depending on who you ask, one thing the locals agree on here is that size matters. You might want to start small. I won't assume to know what impresses your friends, but sooner or later the mind games begin.

Choose your prey. Chicken or beef.
Wait patiently. This place gets busy.
Attack. Etiquette, please.
Breathe. It's only a race if someone calls it early.

The challenge is on. But even if you fail, the good news is that you can always come back and try again next week. Even legends are allowed an off day.

Eat: e'nuf Burger Bar

O burger, where art thou?

e’nuf Burgers and summer go together. It’s an undisputed fact. You can just tell that the kids working there love* their summer job, cause they’re working at one of the coolest burger bars around. Unfortunately it’s not literally one of the coolest, it can get pretty hot next to the grill, but this ain’t no sweatshop. This is just fresh, handmade-to-satisfy burgers.

Beachside locations are handy. There’s only so far you want to walk after a lazy day by the water. Conveniently e’nuf Burger Bar’s two locations are Glenelg and Brighton. Very practical.

The menu is huge, with over 25 different burger combinations to choose from. Then there are chips, onion rings and milkshakes to think about. It could be overwhelming. But it isn’t.

Steak – thin strips of tenderised steak, camembert cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramalised onion, bacon & mayo.

eNUF Burger – beef patty, cheese, caramelised onion, bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, relish & mayo.

Drunken Lamb – slow marinated lamb, red onion, lettuce, mint, cucumber, cheese and tzatziki.

Burgers should be simple. Simple and delicious. Which is exactly what e’nuf Burger Bar strives to be. I know you’ve been keeping to your New Year Exercise Regime so it’s ok to treat yourself. And even if you haven’t we all know it’s waaaaay too hot to be in the kitchen.

*There’s a fine line between love and hate anyway.

Eat: Duthy St Deli Cafe

Is it a Deli? Is it a Cafe?

Whichever it is, Duthy St Deli Cafe has been having a hard time of late over on Urbanspoon. Which made me feel overly cautious about choosing it as our Father-Daughter-Brother lunch option. Nevertheless, trepidation aside, we ventured in feeling positive. How can you not when the sky is blue and holidays are well and truly in sight?

For 12.30 on a weekday the place was bustling. In hindsight I should have made a booking but luckily we managed to score the last remaining outside table. We were rewarded with street views and the very popular 'as cars drive by' soundtrack. Lesson learnt. I will make a booking next time. And there will be a next time, all three of us were particularly happy with our menu choices on this occasion.

Haloumi salad with rocket, roast pumpkin, pine nuts and Duthy St balsamic and tahini dressing.

Lamburger with beetroot salsa.

Chicken, pesto and avocado pita.

The only thing lacking was a glass of wine. Or two. And I’m calling it a cafe, but only if you have to get technical.

Eat: Arriba Grill

The search is over! Found: Good Mexican in Adelaide. Hello Arriba Grill.

It is without question my favourite cultural cuisine and whilst living across the border I was spoilt for choice when it came to high quality Mexican inspired food. For speed and easability, Mad Mex was where it was at. Like for like, Arriba Grill comes pretty close to matching those lofty heights of grande expectations. Cause for celebration indeed! I’ll bring the Coronas, you bring the blender and margarita ingredients. Deal?

Located a tad north of North Adelaide, you might spot Speedy on the sign along Prospect road. Pull over and step into the world of fresh and tasty made-to-order burritos. Think subway style, but a hundred times better. The choice is yours. In five easy steps. Choose your tortilla (or bowl), meat, extras, salsa, salads, guac etc. And voila!

So what makes this place better than others? It’s about quality ingredients really. These boys have done their research and the proof is in the pintos. All the dets on their use of organic ingredients can be read about here.

My one tiny gripe? The HOT sauce barely registered on the scorch scale. But in all other areas this place is plenty hot enough to make up for it.

Go forth and be happy, fellow burrito connoisseurs.

Do: MVBeer Dinner

Here are two things I believe in:

1. Always having something to look forward to
2. Beer

I’d been looking forward to attending one of the McLaren Vale Beer Company’s Beer Dinners since they announced their very first dinner way back in March (even though I lived in Melbourne at the time). It took a little bit longer than expected for things to fall into place but, when the date for Beer Dinner #5 at the Vale Inn was announced, I knew this was the one. My expectations were high.

Without hesitation I ditched my regular Wednesday night commitment and signed us up. Yeah there’s a booking fee but even including all hidden costs $75 for four courses per person is serious value for money.

Time from entering the Inn to beer in hand: one minute. Cheers to getting off to a flying start.
Starters were bought out as we stood and made small talk. And drank.

Before long we seated ourselves at the two long share tables. There was a little intro from Head Brewer Jeff Wright including a game of heads and tails, followed by first course being served. As each course was presented, Head Chef Jamie Laing spoke about the food and Jeff spoke about the accompanying beer. Jeff and Jamie’s bromance is clear. They’ve got it going on.

You don’t need beer goggles to make this look good. Oysters poached in smokey master stock and pork belly served on lemon thyme potato rounds. Paired with Vale Dark.

Quail stuffed with (heavily) spiced farrow, sweet potato puree, ruby chard and honey mead sauce. Paired with Sunner Kolsch from Germany.

Beer jelly(!) served as a palate cleanser.

Chef’s style beef wellington, duck liver pate, spinach and congo potatoes finished with dark chocolate. Paired with Lobethal Bierhaus Chocolate Oatmeal Stout. Brilliant.

 

It’s exciting to hear that Jeff and the team hope to hold the next beer dinner (tentatively scheduled for early next year) in the brand spanking new brewery. Already shaping up as a not to be missed beer event.

Passionfruit and vanilla bean panna cotta with strawberries and raspberry coulis.
Paired with Vale IPA.

I second that Great Things Happen After Dark, but I also believe that great things can happen anytime. Especially if great beer is on tap. Luckily you don’t need to wait for the next beer dinner to fully experience the charm of what happens within the walls of the Vale Inn. The taphouse and kitchen are open for beer tasting and food Thursday to Monday.

Connect the dots.

Eat: Buffalo Wings

Disclaimer: this is not first date food.

But it is delicious food. In all its spicy, tangy glory.

Gilbert Street Hotel hold Bourbon and Buffalo Wing Night every Thursday. There are plenty of people in the know about this special night (judging by the large crowd that gathers here religiously each week) but sadly I was not one of them. With thanks due to The Luxury Pie & Co. for quickly getting me in the loop, I now feel it is my duty to spread the word far and wide.

One kilogram (1KG!) of these beauties will set you back a measly ten bucks ($10!). Please do let me know if you have come across a tastier, value for money, alternative amongst the streets of Adelaide.

If you’re feeling particularly hungry at the moment, may I suggest you look away now.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Eat: Andre's Cucina & Polenta Bar

I almost walked right past Andre’s. Sunken within the unassuming lobby of the Mantra hotel on Frome St, the restaurant itself is small in size but big on heart. Our party managed to sneak in a last minute booking on a recent Friday night, voluntarily signing up for the full experience.

Brightly greeted by a bunch of trendy host and hostesses, we were seated quickly and had beers in hand not long after. We receive a full menu briefing including suggestions for how much to order and what is recommended by our on-the-ball waitress. After much deliberation we are confident with our choices of two appetizers, two vegetable share platters, one platter of meat as well as the compulsory serving of polenta (it is a polenta bar after all).

Food is bought out in waves beginning with the two delicate starters.

Fritto misto di mare – fried Sicilian seafood with lemon aioli.

Ravioli di formaggio con crosta di polenta e salsa picante – polenta crusted cheese ravioli with spicy salsa.

Bagna cauda – fresh raw & blanched vegetable crudités served with hot anchovy dip and crostini.

Assaggini di verdure – all things vegetable including sweet potato crisps, roasted mushrooms, lightly grilled eggplant and zucchini served with jerusalem artichoke puree.

Designed to share, the food is beautifully presented on the table. You really don’t need to order this much, but you probably should.

Delizie del rè, piattata di salumi misti –  selection of finely shaved Italian salami.

Polenta con salsiccia Italiana e salsa – polenta with Italian sausage and tomato salsa.

And then dessert. Bomboloni – banana donuts.

To think that we weren’t even going to order the chocolate mousse! Thank Dad we did.

Chocolate mousse – with nuts and caramel awesomeness.

Andre’s is the kind of place I wouldn’t feel awkward returning to just for dessert. The vibe is right, the place is buzzing and the staff really do know their cuts of meat.

Eat: Show us your mussels

Spring in Adelaide. It’s a beautiful thing. When the sun’s shining, the closest beer garden’s calling. And on this occasion, it was the Belgians. The Belgian Beer Cafe is neatly tucked out of harm’s way in the East End of the CBD. Why get distracted by passers-by when you can instead get distracted by a detailed eight page beer menu?
Drinks ordered. Thirst quenched. We then turned our attention to the food menu. How does a pot full of mussels sound? I’m not certain I even really like mussels but I’m all for the full experience and if mussels are the staple Belgian dish, then mussels it will be. Not to mention they come served in a massive traditional ‘Belgian Kilo Mussel Pot’. What?

Michelle opted for a much more sensible sausage and beer combo deal. But where’s the fun it that? Merguez ‘N’ Beer – Char grilled French beef sausage, caramelised onion, seeded mustard mayonnaise in a crusty bread roll served with pommes frites and a 330ml Stella Artois.

The Pot-O-Mussels comes served in your choice of six broths. I opted for Paddestoel – White wine, field mushroom, confit garlic, spring onion, cream, truffle oil and cracked pepper served with pommes frites and house made mayonnaise. It’s an impressive sight.

The creamy broth was as rich and heavy as it sounds. And although I’m assured this is indeed a serving for one, I didn’t stand a chance.

Reckon you’re up for the challenge? Mussel up boys. I think I’ll stick to the beer menu next time.

Eat: The Store

Spring appears to have come early here in Rads and sunny skies are conducive to long lunches in the streets of North Adelaide. But don’t be too fooled, always remember to pack your cardigan. Especially if you want to fit in along Melbourne Street.

We headed to The Store. Options were plentiful, with indoor, outdoor, terrace or booth seating available. We slid into a green velvet booth and left the wine choice to the expert.

Hats off to whoever’s hiring. Cute and friendly wait staff make a dining experience much more pleasurable.

All the specials sounded very tempting and from the few we saw on their way out from the kitchen, they looked very tempting as well.

Quiche of the day. Chèvre and silverbeet quiche, green salad with hazelnuts.

Homemade baked gnocchi with roasted cauliflower, Gruyere cheese and walnuts.

Grilled free range pork rib eye with coleslaw and caramelised apple balls.

Prior to ordering our mains, I’d already eyed off the dessert options. It was predetermined we’d be sharing a little something sweet.

Warm brioche custard and apple pudding.

Tick, tick, tick. Lovely dishes. Lovely ladies. Lovely day.

Icons: Double Cut Roll

“Would you like that single or double cut?”

Ahh that’s a question I haven’t heard for far too long. Indeed it was music to the ears of a native South Australian who has lived elsewhere for a significant amount of time. Imagine my dismay when five years ago, I discovered that no one across the border had heard of such a thing as a double cut roll. Something that is standard in every sandwich bar across the city and suburbs of Adelaide.

The concept is simple. And fabulous. Order your fillings as per normal. But if you’re feeling hungry you can upgrade your roll to supersize. Instead of your standard one cut through the middle of said roll, now an additional two cuts are made. Hence, ‘double’ cut. Effectively the roll is divided in half and then these halves are halved again. Now you’ve got two spaces to insert your fillings of choice. Essentially two sandwiches on top of each other. But in roll form. Got it?

What follows is a perfect example, created by the talented ladies at Pat-a-Cake. Double cut roll with avocado and salad.

The answer is always double cut. If you’re in a state that offers it.