With a New Year brings new experiences. If you haven’t dined at these five hotspots, Jacqui Lim – a passionate, active advocate of the food and wine industry – shares what’s all the fuss about.
1. Trak
Smalls and Pastas: $24 – $42 | Mains: $45 – $58 | 4 courses: $85
Situated on busy Greenhill Road in the old TRAK cinema building, Trak is a suburban restaurant that encapsulates honest cooking and good old-fashioned hospitality. With a welcoming and warm interior, the food is Mediterranean-inspired using quality South Australian seafood, meat and vegetables. The menu consists of delicious, interesting but uncomplicated offerings like chargrilled octopus, pan-fried barramundi, grilled porterhouse, and excellent pastas. On nicer days there’s the option of alfresco dining.
Find Trak at 375 Greenhill Road, Toorak Gardens or @trak.adl.
2. Sofia
Snacks and Small: $9 – $30 | Larger: $32 – $129 | Set Menus: $46 and $79
At the northern end of Hutt Street, Sofia caters for all people, any time of the day. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine, cocktails and coffee, it’s more a bistro than a café, restaurant or bar. With the same owners, Sofia is considered the slightly more sophisticated sibling to Part Time Lover, with a light and bright inviting space and an enticing menu of snacks and larger dishes. Make sure you try the ‘2-Sheet Lasagne’. The wine list includes local and European wines.
Find Sofia at 16 Hutt St, Adelaide or @sofia.bistro.
3. La Louisiane
Price: Entrees $26 – $38 | Mains: $32 – $65
Originally a pop-up and now here to stay, this basement restaurant and bar is the place to go for French fare and an equally good vibe, with moody lighting and live jazz most nights of the week. Expect French brasserie classics like escargot, steak frites, gruyere cheese soufflé and beef tartare, the menu featuring SA produce. Enjoy French wines, French varietals and cocktails. My favourites – a fun La Lou’s Martini or a good old French 75 with cognac.
Find La Louisiane at 89 King William Street, Adelaide or @lalouisianeadl.
4. Ondeen
Snacks: $6 – $14 | Mains: $26 – $34
Ondeen showcases award-winning Full Circle spirits, whiskies and liqueurs, and beautiful food by chef Kane Pollard. In true Pollard style, the seasonal farm-to-table menu embraces provenance, community and the local surrounds through the use of foraged ingredients and produce from local growers. His food has never been better. The 1850’s property is slowly being transformed and is already looking impressive. Enjoy vodka and gin tasting, a liqueur tasting, a whisky or a non-alcoholic tasting while enjoying the sweeping views.
Find Ondeen at 5 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Verdun or @ondeen.farm.
5. Bar Lune
Snacks and Smalls: $10 – $26 | Larger: $28 – $42 | Tasting Menu: $75pp
Bar Lune is a fun neighbourhood wine bar serving handpicked wines, cocktails and refined share plates based on local and fresh ingredients. Pop in for a drink and snack or head in for lunch or dinner. It’s friendly service and a convivial atmosphere. A long Sunday lunch session is a great option, particularly if the Sunday roast is on offer. For those warmer days there’s outdoor seating in the adjacent laneway.
Find Bar Lune at 303 The Parade, Beulah Park or @barlune_adl.
Follow @jacquisfoodfetish for more insights into the dining plates of Australia’s best restaurant.
