Weekend Fling with Adelaide

Adelaide, well you’ve certainly taken me by surprise and I think I owe you an apology… I’ve cursed your name for luring one of my besties back into your arms from Sydney for way too long, and wines aren’t really my thing so I placed you in the ‘why bother to visit’ category.

I thought you’d be boring, old and out of touch.

Well I was wrong.

I now have a crush and I can’t wait to return to explore more (well more than food…).

So here it is, as promised, my round up of where to stay and where to eat while visiting for a quick 48 hours.

Where to stay

The Mayfair www.mayfairhotel.com.au

I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels and most tick the usual boxes: functional, clean, maybe a cool pic on the wall BUT The Mayfair goes so much further than that.

Every single facet of this hotel, located so conveniently in the city, has been well planned and thought out. The fittings, the furniture, the extra large TV, the oh so chic bathroom which I want to replicate at home, to even the brand of toiletries they supply.

Epic.

Yes this high-end hotel is in a 19th-century building and yes it’s a 5 star hotel but it is far from being snobby. The staffs are seriously friendly and went over and above (we may have made then get our car out of valet parking about 5 times a day – sorry guys….) and gave us everything we could ever need while staying with a baby.

And then there is the roof top bar. Next level in every way. If you don’t stay here, make sure you at least have a drink here.

Where to eat

by night…

Gin Long Canteen

Location: 42 O’Connell St, North Adelaide

Website: http://ginlongcanteen.com.au/

We arrived, we checked in, then we headed straight to Gin Long for dinner. Even a whiny wriggly baby (I’m looking at you Jet) couldn’t spoil this epic feast!

From Bahn Hoi (roast pork, lettuce, vermicelli, spring onions), Prawn Dumpling in a mild red curry sauce (I’d go back to SA for these alone), to Very Exciting Beef (thai eggplant, rocket salad, lemongrass, mint), Shredded Port Ribs and a few too many sides, this meal was the definition of delicious.

We topped the meal off with a cocktail each and a Ginger Crème Brulee to share (which was full of lemongrass, black sesame crumble and butterscotch) for good measure. This was a 10/10 for sure.

Press Food And Wine

Location: : 40 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000

Website: http://pressfoodandwine.com.au/index.html

We ate here for my friends birthday dinner and scored a large round table right at the front, which was perfect for sharing food and chatting. Dim lighting sets the scene for a luxe feel and the menu is full of choices to suit all eating styles. We all shared some smaller plates to start with going for the likes Quinoa and lentil, pomegranate molasses, goat’s curd and other tasty morsels then for my main I had the most perfectly cooked Roast pork belly, cucumber salad & celeriac puree.

by day…

Whistle and Flute

Location: 136 Greenhill Road, Unley

Website: http://www.whistleandflute.com.au/

Our first breakfast feast (and when I mean feast, I mean at least 6 plates on the table for 2 people. All in the name of research of course…

Think Maple Roasted Granola with lemon curd, mascarpone and blueberries, Poached eggs with avo, lime, minted ricotta, dukkah, Crispy bacon with scrambled eggs. And those sides I was telling you about? Possibly the best, softest, gooiest haloumi I’ve every had, chili kale and then a bowl of herb mushrooms. Coffee also gets a big tick of approval.

My friend booked a table for us which I thought was a little odd because, you know, would anywhere really be that busy (sorry told you I was neive!) BUT once 9am rolled in and we were heading out, the place was absolutely packed!!

303 By the Sea

Loaction: 303 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach

Website: http://www.303bythesea.com.au/

As you can see breaky is our thing. We rarely actually go out for lunch or dinner, and yes, I keep telling myself to expand to other meals (oh the options we miss out on) but, as early risers, the pros of getting in early always win. Our last day in Adelaide we decided on 303 By The Sea and it didn’t disappoint. While I went for the oh so sensible and healthy Smashed: Dark rye with avo, pumkin, feta and herb smash, beetroot relish (yum) with a poached egg and ancient seed salad, the hubby went the Pulled Pork (BBQ pulled pork, crispy apple slaw on a ciabatta bun. Oh and also the Apple crumble pie French toast to ‘share’. And by share I mean I had one tiny bite before it was demolished.

Loved the atmosphere of this one perched right on the beach. So did Jet.

Public

Location: 12 Franklin Street

Website: www.publiccbd.com.au

Ok so while I didn’t actually eat here, I did have an awesome chat to the owner James and I love what they are doing! Located in the CBD this one has to be on the list. Go for brunch and you really must order the Cucumber and Lemon Myrtle Iced Tea made with lemon myrtle tea, cucmber, lemon slices and Hendricks Gin. All my loves in one delish drink.

Argo on the Parade

Location: 212 The Parade

Trust me when I tell you that this menu is out of control. Pages upon pages of healthy combos you have never thought of. Too many smoothies to choose from, I mean you will actually get overwhelmed by all the options, juices, raw deserts, salads and burgers. Just to change it up, we got take away burgers and sweet potato fries to eat in the park before flying out. Oh. God. I couldn’t have been more pleased with our last meal in SA, I had the chili beef burger (or something along those lines). Just yum.

The line to get in was pretty insane, a sign that this place is no hidden gem in Adelaide but a well loved institute, and one that I kinda want to be expanded to Sydney stat.

Tell Henry

Location: 20 The Parade W, Kent Town

Website: https://www.facebook.com/tellhenry/

While I didn’t get to eat at Tell Henry, we did grab a take-away coffee which again was delish. My only negative was that I didn’t have time to eat there!

Nutrition Republic

Location: 1/100 King William Road, Goodwood

Website: http://www.nutritionrepublic.com.au/

I met Nicole the brains (and beauty) behind Nutrition Republic for a quick meeting, and not only is she divine, but her vision which is coming to life before our very eyes is pretty amazing. Their homemade Turmeric latte which I not so elegantly drank in one gulp was dam tasty.

The Nourish’d Kitchen

Location: 3 Ann St, Stepney

Website: http://www.thenourishdkitchen.com.au/

We stopped here in a mad dash in-between meetings (and in-between meals) but couldn’t walk away without a take away coffee (for Shaun) and a green juice and raw treat for me. Again, you are spoilt for choice and I get the vibe that Adelaide is one health conscious city and very on trend.

The Market Shed

Location: 1 Holland St, Adelaide SA

Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Market-Shed-on-Holland

Open every Sunday this market is all about local and organic food and is everything I could ever want in one place. Fresh produce, juices, ice-cream sandwiches… if you go to breakfast before hand just make sure you save space because you sure as hell are going to find at least 3 things you need in your life (I mean in your belly…). Love love love the vibes.