Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 10 . ADELAIDE & SOUTH AUSTRALIA
and airy interior, with its cream-colored tablecloths and directors’ chairs, isn’t
too much of a letdown. You might start with the goat’s curd ravioli with red
pesto and chives. Moving on, you could tuck into the roasted duck with hazelnut
risotto. (Close your eyes to the peaceful quacking out on the river if you
can.) The banana and cardamom soufflé for dessert is wicked.
Jolleys Lane. & 08/8223 2891. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$21–A$27 (US$14–US$18). AE,
DC, MC, V. Daily noon–2:30pm; Mon–Sat 6:30–9.30pm.
Matsuri JAPANESE I like the atmosphere in this very good Japanese
restaurant on the popular Gouger Street restaurant strip. The food is prepared
by Takaomi Kitamura, world-famous ice sculptor and sushi master. The sushi
and sashimi dishes are some of the best in Australia. Monday night is “sushi festival
night,” when sushi is half price. During happy hour Wednesday through
Sunday, sushi is 30% off if you place your order before 7pm. (You can pre-order
over the phone and eat later.) Promised too is a 10% discount if you show this
Frommer’s Guide. Other popular dishes include vegetarian and seafood tempura,
yose nobe (a hot pot of vegetables, seafood, and chicken), and chawan
mushi (a steamed custard dish). The service is friendly and considerate. Corkage
fee is a steep A$4.50 (US$2.90) a bottle.
167 Gouger St. & 08/8231 3494. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$8.60–A$28 (US$5.60–
US$18). AE, DC, MC, V. Lunch: Fri noon–2pm; Dinner: Wed–Mon 5:30–10pm.
Mekong Thai THAI/MALAYSIAN/HALAL Value Though this place is not
much to look at—with simple tables and chairs, some outside in a portico—it
has a fiery reputation for good food among in-the-know locals. The food is spicy
and authentic, and the portions are filling. It’s also a vegetarian’s paradise, with
at least 16 meat-free mains on the ethnically varied menu. It’s Adelaide’s only
fully halal (suitable for Muslims) restaurant.
68 Hindley St.&08/8231 2914. Main courses A$11–A$13 (US$7–US$8.40).AE, DC, MC,V. Daily 5:15pm–late.
Rigoni’s Bistro ITALIAN Located on a narrow lane west of King William
Street, this traditional Italian trattoria is often packed at lunch, though less frantic
in the evening. It’s big and bright with high ceilings and russet quarry tiles.
A long bar runs through the middle of the dining room; brass plates mark the
stools of regular diners. The food is very traditional and quite good. The chalkboard
menu often changes, but you are quite likely to find lasagna, veal in white
wine, marinated fish, and various pasta dishes. There’s also an extensive salad bar
with a variety of antipasto and an outside dining area.
27 Leigh St. & 08/8231 5160. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$15–A$22 (US$9.50–US$14);
antipasto bar (lunch only) A$12–A$14 (US$7.50–US$8.90). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon–Fri noon–2:30pm and
6:30–10pm; Sat 6.30–10pm.
Ruby’s Café MODERN AUSTRALIAN Situated in suitably unpretentious
surroundings for a former market cafe catering to the local workers, Ruby’s
is an Adelaide institution. It still has its laminated tables and the “no spitting, no
coarse language” sign behind the bar, despite being far more upmarket than that.
Basically, you get a very good restaurant meal in an old cafe atmosphere at very
good prices. Served up are filling curries and pasta dishes, hearty meals such as
lamb shanks, and quite a few vegetarian options. For dessert I recommend the
toffee pudding with toffee sauce. The menu changes every 6 weeks.
255b Rundle St. & 08/8224 0365. Main courses A$11–A$20 (US$7.15–US$13). AE, MC, V. Daily 6:30–
11.30pm; Sun 9am–5pm.