Wasai (Adelaide)

By St

Where there's Timmy, there is going to be Japanese. You have to edge closer to Gouger Street and the Central Market to find Wasai Japanese Kitchen tucked away in a side street. Inside Timmy and I discuss how we both have "Asian wooden tables" and how expensive they are when we were ushered to one. Of course the restaurant tables are not the real thing but does give the place a smart authentic look combined with some Japanese screen banners.

"Asian wooden tables"

We weren't too hungry so ordered a few things. Timmy's favourite was the Aburi salmon roll (Wasai's special California rolls). I particularly liked the Tori mayonnaise (the grilled chicken was so soft and tasry from the teriyaki sauce and garlic chive mayonnaise) but the accompanying vegetables were served cold. 

We had walked 20 minutes in the rain with a tiny umbrella to get here so I felt like some ramen but I felt Jigoku ramen was not spicy at all and lacked that warm satisfied feeling you get from a good ramen. (I've been spoiled by Gumshara and Menya).

Aburi salmon rolls $10.80

Karaage chicken $8

Tori mayonnaise $14.50

Jigoku ramen $11.80

Wokking rating/5:

Wasai Japanese Kitchen

1/9-15 Field St
Adelaide 

08 8221 6606

La Trattoria (Adelaide)

By St

Word of mouth and peer-reviews are what we are about so us Radelaide crew (as Becc calls it) were glad that Natalie suggested we go hit La Trattoria. We had the bruscette Monte Blanco to start which I loved on it's garlic pizza base and big round discs of boccaccini. We then ordered 4 medium pizzas to heartily share among 5 people: Andy's pizza with the lot, the Speciale, Romana and the drum rolll... Andy's Marinara Fresh Seafood. According to the menu, this pizza was the winner of the "Best Gourmet Pizza" competition in South Australia, then Australian all the way to the Big Apple. It lived up to expectations so perhaps we might see it starring opposite SJP in the next SATC sequel.

Bruscette Monte Blanco

Andy's pizza with the lot

Romana

Pizza Speciale

Andy's Marinara Fresh Seafood

It seems like all restaurants in Adelaide are huge, with plenty of seating and La Trattoria is not different. As soon as you walk in, you will be astounded by the many photo frames on the left wall. There were too many Wallys to pick in this view, but I did manage to see Mick Jagger and Glen McGrath. If only I had a professional camera, you can pick out the gliterrati party that have flocked to the restaurant from the photo below.

Undoubtedly it was busy, so that might explain why the staff took a while to warm up to us. Even still, oddly they don't pour out your wine here, so lucky we had the fab Mon to help us out.

Mon and our red red winnnnnnne

Great vibrant atmosphere if you're feeling some Italiano. 

Wokking rating/5:

La Trattoria

346 King William St

Adelaide

08 8212 3327

Mekong Thai (Adelaide)

By St

This was the place that we passed on the first night with the 20minutes wait. Being a Monday night, we knew our chances of scoring a table was high and we were right. The restaurant was half full at 7pm with few more streaming in when we were eating.

Everybody has a favourite Thai joint and everybody knows what good Thai is. How will we rate this busy Thai restaurant? We ordered bits and pieces from all over the menu, with the sambal dish especially for Dan to try since he isn't big on spicyness - the description reads "combination of seafood, not for the light-hearted, an exotic combination of chilli and tamarind with mixed vegetables, flavoured with fresh herbs". 

Vegetarian spring rolls $8.50

Satay chicken skewers $8.50

Sambal lautan $18.90

Ayam masak merah $16.90

Mee goreng $11.50

The stand-outs were the satay chicken and mee goreng. We all wanted to try the ayam masek merah which was the tomato based chicken curry but it lacked flavour usually found in the coconut milk- based curries. The sambal lautan, like the curry, was ok but did not deliver knock-out flavour nor the hot hot hotness described in the menu. So although Becc and I thought it was mild, even a bit sweet, Dan's only bite was quickly followed by a glass of water lol. Good on you for trying! Wokking rating /5:

Mekong Thai

68 Hindley St
Adelaide  

08 8231 2914

The Apothecary 1878 (Adelaide)

By St

When you walk past Apothecary 1878, don't let the bar fool you. It looks like a small French salon-style bar on ground level but a stylish room greets you downstairs where the restaurant takes hold against an impressive wine cellar. No wonder it's a heritage-listed building.

We're lucky that Nate and friends knew of this place and that he had booked us here for dinner as a surprise. (Yes! No need to walk 40 minutes to find a decent place.)

2008 Lawson's 'dry hills' gewurztraminer $9.50

Baked swordfish with caramelised onion and muscatels $14

Pork and fennel sausage, polenta and tomato sugo $13

Fusilli with asparagus, peas, lemon, mint & stracciatella cheese $23 main

Chargrilled Rib Eye 400g with tomato, anchovy & caper panzanella, crisp shallots and mayonnaise $35 main

Brown sugar pannacotta with plum and walnut praline $10

Being such a class act, I had to take Timmy to eat here too. We had the same swordfish and chose to have 3 more sharing savoury dishes since they are of very generous portions and a main to share.

Grilled veal scallopine with fior di latte, snowpeas and horseradish $14

Pork and veal meatballs and parmesan $11

Duck liver parfait with pear and rosemary relish $12

Risotto of farmed rabbit, broad beans, pancetta and pecorino $25 main

The service is superb, with Tash spot on with her recommendations. The bar also provides high tea catering in the afternoon, which is a favorite for small groups or hen's parties. 

Overall, the food is well-priced, there's plenty to eat and the baked swordfish and duck liver parfait shouldn't be missed. (If she wasn't sick, Becc would have devoured the warm dark chocolate pudding which she heard is exquisite.) 

Wokking rating /5: 

The Apothecary 1878
118 Hindley St
Adelaide
08 8212 9099

Wok in a box (Adelaide)

by St

Why do people go to Adelaide? The Barossa Valley, Kangeroo Island, wine tasting, wine, wine and more wine. What about for a work conference? That's how Uli, Dan, Harvi, Mon, Mandy, Becc and I ended up in Adelaide.

The first night was a disaster! We walked along Hindley St and the tapas bar with live music and dancing didn't have sufficient seating for dinner. The Thai place was full and we would have to wait 20 minutes. Every second place seem to be a club with rowdy trashy hoons. After 40 minutes wandering the city, Dan and Becc were going to make a break for it and settle at Maccas. The rest of us sensing defeat and desperation made a last minute decision to try Wok in a box.

My pud thai (yes pud but same as pad) and Becc and her kwai teow, $7.75 & $7.95 (med)

The idea that they cooked everything in a wok upon order gave a false sense we weren't having take-away from a chain store. We all had five different box meals and the verdict: very average, not so tasty. In the end, Maccas would have been less disappointing because you know what to expect.

Wok in a box
Hindley St, cnr King William St
Adelaide
08 8231 0121

Well done Roosters 2010!

Dearest Roosters,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways by St

I love thee when the Dragons 1st try was on the back of Morris clearly hitting the sideline. (OPSM sponsorship sadly not helping the linesman there.)

I love thee when you were forced to do a line drop-out (they couldn't even afford a replay) leading to another red&white try when Sam Perrett was pushed in the back.

I love thee when referees stubbornly refuse to give you penalties (and that's all season too).

You've done so well this season, exceeded all expectations. Who cares about the trophy? What people will remember is: The Game, Roosters vs Tigers 1st week of prelim finals, 30 secs to go and we're way out left and it goes back in and Mini passes the ball to the captain who kicks the most amazing field goal to tie it. It's nervous watching with the many failed field goals in extra time (woah that Farrah one was close) but then Shaun K-D comes up with an intercept to win the game in the 100th minute! That's wok I'm talking about!

 

You might be wondering, how does this relate to food? 

Well the Roosters' main sponsor is Steggles. When they signed on this year, Steggles was going to donate $1,000 to children charities for every point the Roosters beat their opposition by, and the Roosters would also contribute $250. With their fantastic season, they have raised $409,000! Well done team!
(I have to add that Steggles' beer battered nuggets are the bomb! Grab a box next time at the supermarket;)