Being a guest blogger for lifestyle and inspo site Adelady is pretty tough, given most of the time it involves eating. My latest post is no exception…
Nearly two years ago, I became one of those people and emigrated across the border into Victoria. As clear punishment for my Adelaide deflection, I’m haunted religiously by many fond food memories.
With all its fresh produce, Adelaide is a delicious, delectable city with too many culinary exploits to list – a fact that many interstaters need to be educated on. But these are the Adelaide menu staples that, being 736 kilometres away, I consistently pine for:
1. Lucky Lupitas – dish: chipotle mayonesa burger or the taco de pollo
Tucked into a dingy looking strip of shops near Flinders Medical Centre, distinguished only by its neon sign, you wouldn’t expect to find the best tasting Mexican food outside of Mexico here. But, bam! Your tastebuds are about to be assaulted (in a good way). I would (and have) happily join the hoards and line up two hours for a chipotle-dripping burger from Lucky Lupitas. The chicken taco is just as much of a dream boat.
Update: Lucky Lupitas has moved houses and is now located in North Adelaide.
Image credit: @kate_copeland
2. Melt Pizzeria – dish: Turk pizza
I’m not normally a big fan of lamb. Like I avoid it as I would brussels sprouts. But the combo of lamb, pine nuts, pomegranate, yoghurt, mint and sumac works. It works as well as chocolate melted over popcorn. On a recent drive back to Adelaide, I refused to get Tailem Bend Subway for dinner, instead holding out the 200 kilometres for a late-night Turk pizza. By the time I got to King William Road at 8pm, I was a crazed lady snatching at the pizza box, Usain Bolting out the door and sinking into the footpath to devour the first oh my gawd piece.
Image credit: temptingpalates.blogspot.com.au
3. Press* Food & Wine – dish: pork belly
Just like lamb, I don’t really like pork either. Generally I would rather eat a bulb of garlic slathered in fish sauce and paprika than eat pork. The exception to this is absurdly bacon, chorizo and Press* Food & Wine’s pork belly. AMAZING 10 times over.
No, Press* does not normally sport twig centrepieces and table numbers. This photo was from my wedding day, so full credit must be given to my wonderfully wonderful wedding photographer Kerin Burford who took this shot. You can read more about that day here.
4. Parisi’s – dish: campagnola fettuccini
Parisi’s has a little special home in my heart because it’s here that I first laid eyes on my now husband, mid slurping up a big bowl of campagnola fettuccini, with chicken, avocado, pesto, tomato, Spanish onion and rosé sauce. I’m not too sure if I fell in love with his eyes at that moment or if I was just high on carbs.
Image credit: Parisis Restaurant
5. Singapore House – dish: EVERYTHING!
You can’t go wrong with a feast of salt and pepper squid or tofu, butter chicken, potato dumplings, Singapore noodles, soft shell crab and cheese naan at this Asian fusion establishment that’s reminiscent of the colonial era. The only problem is trying to claw back enough table space to fit all the dishes you’ve ordered.
6. Star of Siam – dish: spicy crispy prawn
I may get deported out of Victoria for saying this but Adelaide’s Thai institution on Gouger Street, Star of Siam, satays all over Melbourne’s equivalent, Chin Chin, and doesn’t require you to line up for minimum three hours to be seated. The crispy prawns tossed in homemade curry paste, capsicum and cashew nuts is more heavenly than Liam Hemsworth. A special participation award must also go to the sea star minced prawn, squid and chicken dumplings, which are slathered in a mind-blowing mild red curry sauce.
Image credit: Star of Siam
7. Pantry on Egmont – dish: fresh juices
The watermelon and apple juice at this vintage-vibed café is as good as a Berocca after a big night out at Rocket Bar. A special mention needs to go to the Burger on Egmont, which is equally as good at soaking up the excesses of the night before with its best mate, side of fries.
8. Froth and Fodder – dish: smashed avocado
I’m a big smashed avocado connoisseur (read snob), and you don’t get much better in the avo smash stakes than Froth and Fodder. You’ll be shocked to find the best smashed avocado, poached eggs, grilled haloumi, fresh rocket, sourdough toast combo in the entire land in this cute hipster café that’s tucked in behind a Coles and Kmart in Kurralta Park.
Image credit: @a_girls_gotta_eat_adl
9. Sosta – dish: steak
After a big, stressful week at work it was a little ritual of mine to roll up on Sosta’s doorstep come Friday. A hunk of steak, served with crispy fried potatoes, always restores what’s right in the world again.
Image credit: Sosta
I hate to ask given it will just add to my never-ending Adelaide food dreams but please Adeladians remind me what I’ve missed by commenting below!
