Jacqui has dined at more than 350 ever-changing Top 100 restaurants around the country over the years, plus a number of the World’s 50 Best and Michelin Star restaurants.
Jacqui has a Master of Arts in Gastronomy, is a judge for the national Eat Easy restaurant, chef and produce awards and is co-owner of award-winning Thai restaurant Soi 38 in Adelaide.
Victor’s Place
At this renovated 1870’s limestone barn with a stunning view of the rolling hills of the Onkaparinga Gorge, Executive Chef Chris Bone has developed a clever, concise regionally focused menu utilising quality seasonal produce from the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Such good dishes it’s hard to choose! Here’s my main of Coorong yelloweye mullet ballotine with chicken-glazed hakurei turnips, lemon myrtle and sunrose. And make sure you try the award-winning Varney Wines made on-site.
Blue Rose
Brought to you by the folks from Gondola Gondola, Blue Rose at Henley Beach is a fun, modern Asian restaurant and bar with a menu of mouth-watering deliciousness.
This Yin-Yang Pork Belly with a Sichuan pepper soy glaze, turmeric-pickled cauliflower, beetroot-pickled nashi and cauliflower puree was juicy, with super-crunchy crackling. Another must-have is the Truffle Mi Goreng!
Shop 28/330 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach
Small plates $8 – $25
Larger $27 – $40
@bluerose_henley
Maxwell Wines
Maxwell Wines remains one of my SA firm favourites. It’s fine dining in McLaren Vale where Executive Chef Fabian Lehmann presents tasting menus of beautifully presented, flavoursome dishes using the highest quality local and seasonal produce.
Here’s the Wagyu with onion and kale served with croffles (croissants done in a waffle iron, brushed with roasted Wagyu fat!), ricotta and parsley. And I was thrilled to score a good shaving of Perigord truffle.
19 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale
Tasting Menu $145
@maxwellwines
Nanyang Cafe
It’s not fancy, but this popular, brightly-lit place tucked away in Renaissance Arcade off Rundle Mall serves delicious authentic Malaysian hawker food. My go-to dish every time – these Roast Duck Tossed Noodles served with soup and pickled green chillies.
I always throw on lashings of chilli oil too. Great value for just $16. You’ll also find other hawker favourites like Hainan Chicken Rice, Laksa and Char Kuay Teow.
Renaissance Arcade, 26/136 Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Mains $13 – $18
@nanyang_cafe
Anchovy Bandit
There’s always a good vibe and good food here. Yes, you could say it’s a pizza and pasta joint but it’s the modern/fusion spin Executive Chef Shane Wilson puts on Italian food that makes these dishes really interesting and super-tasty – like Fettuccine with Butter, Reggiano and Furikake, or snacks like this Spencer Gulf Prawn Sando with garlic and chilli butter.
Snacks/small plates $8 – $25
Pizza/pasta $24 – $34
For more of Jacqui’s food adventures, visit @jacquisfoodfetish
