Sliders on Rundle

Dinner with friends saw me at my new 'go to' for group gatherings, Sliders on Rundle. As mentioned in my previous reviews this place is perfect for large group gatherings and dinners where you need to accommodate a variety of tastes/cuisine choices. On this occasion I left just as satisfied as every other visit, having eaten delicious food and served quickly and efficiently. I honestly think this is one of the best mid range, Italian/American casual mid range eateries in Adelaide, it ticks all the right boxes for me... great range of choice, quality food, spacious, friendly service, family friendly, value for money and in the CBD!

One of my friend's ordered the 'Bowl Me Over' milkshake which the menu described as being a combo of Caramello Koala, vanilla gelati, whipped cream, marshmallows, rainbow sprinkles and blue cola sauce. We all tried this and agreed it was amazing! A really old fashioned malty vanilla flavour and a sweet, bright blue syrup. My friend was suitably impressed with her choice of drink, especially as it included sprinkles, and really who doesn't love sprinkles? Only downside was there was no obvious koala... we weren't sure if it supposed to be blended in or in the jar.

One of the group ordered the grilled chicken burger (marinated grilled chicken, bacon, American cheese, lettuce and sweet chili aioli) minus tomato. First positive, the burger arrived minus tomato :) it's always great when a restaurant accommodates requests and gets them right. Second positive, my friend really enjoyed this. A great rendition of a classic burger combo with crispy, golden fries.

For my meal I spilt a yiros pizza and the Bello pasta with another friend (So many delicious choices and I couldn't make up my mind!). The yiros pizza was too good, I had seen the pizza's here before and they had always looked fantastic but this was even better than expected. The crust was crisp with no burnt or soggy parts and the toppings were in just the right amount to not be heavy but still generous enough to be filling and to cover the base well. All the elements of a yiros, but much lighter and no greasiness! The sauce on this was delicious, with great garlic flavour that was not overpowering and the meat was super tender. Although not the same level as say Melt Pizzeria, Sliders do a fantastic, if notthe best pizza for their price point, it was much, much better than what I've tried at other mid range Italian eateries. If you are looking for a delicious, value for money wood oven cooked pizza in the CBD with a great range of toppings look no further.

Next up the Bello pasta, We choose to have this with gnocchi and I'm so glad we did. Not only was the gnocchi some of the best I have eaten, it went perfectly with the combination of grilled chicken, pesto, pumpkin, capsicum, onion and garlic cream sauce. The gnocchi itself was pillowy, not at all rubbery or soggy and had that dense but soft, giving texture good gnocchi should. Each bite left me wanting more, gnocchi is so hard to get right and I think Sliders did a really good job, I've had horrid gnocchi for twice the price! Just like every other dish that I've tried here with pumpkin it was cooked to perfection, not overcooked and mushy but not rock hard. All the other ingredients were well balanced, the flavour was rich, the dish was seasoned well, the sauce thick and creamy and the portion size huge. Overall a really delicious meal.

The last meal of the night was the pasta sliders, three 'mini' bowls of pasta each with a different flavour/pasta combination. My friend said that every one was delicious and also described the gnocchi as being some of the best she has had. The portions were so generous (she ended up taking some home as she couldn't bare to leave her leftovers!) and her view on her meal/experience here? ' I can't wait to go back'.

So, my overall review of this visit? 10/10 again. Don't be mistaken, this is no high end fine dining establishment, it is delicious, well executed mid range food that is excellent value for money. This place will pretty much be my go to any time I need to take a group somewhere or am eating with someone who I am unsure of their food preferences. Such a fantastic range of food, and the best part? Every aspect is done well.. from burgers to pizza, every time I have eaten here I have been well looked after both in terms of tasty food and good customer service. I spoke to the manager on this visit and they are looking at making some changes to focus more on the wood oven they have on site, they've also been working really hard on their customer service as they have had mixed reviews in the past. I honestly can't say I've ever had an issue, this family run and owned business is one of my favourites, they really have a winning formula going on here and I hope they don't change toooo much ;)

Koko Black

Being in Rundle Mall on a cold, wet and windy day for an appointment saw me 'drop in' to the new KoKo Black store (I swear it was because it was warm in there!). The retail side of the store is set up well, there is plenty of space to gaze over the stunningly presented chocolate without the cramped or rushed feeling I often get at the Haighs Rundle Mall store. We headed into the cafe section, it was signed that we could take a seat but that table service was provided. I thought this was a great idea, sometimes you find yourself unsure of a restaurant's table service policy and end up waiting and waiting only to be told you have to order at a counter etc.

The cafe area has been designed well, a modern, elegant feel but still on the casual side great for quick catch ups with people in the CBD but still nice enough for a special event dessert or post dinner coffee. There is an upstairs and downstairs section, so there is plenty of space and the staff are attentive and helpful. We sat downstairs which allowed us to see the barista at work, he was the most unflustered, focused barista I have seen in a while, it was evident he took pride in his work and that each drink he made he did so with proficiency. Water was brought to the table straight away, and we were given a fair amount of time to look over the menu, enough to not feel rushed, but not too much to feel forgotten.

The menu had several sections, food, drinks and a complete list of their chocolates. This list also includes descriptions and pictures which I thought was a nice touch, it made it much easier to decide what we wanted/what would suit our tastes. To start with we ordered the sienna strawberry dark and the single malt whiskey truffles.

The dark Sienna was divine, a light shell that cracked perfectly when cut and bitten into that gave way to a creamy, melting centre. The strawberry flavour in the ganache was perfect, distinct but subtle with a true 'fresh' rather then lolly like strawberry taste.

The single malt whiskey was certainly my favourite of the two. The shell on this was a milk chocolate and slightly thicker than the sienna but it still 'cracked' perfectly just like any good tempered chocolate should. The centre was smooth and creamy but slightly more dense then the sienna. The ganache was a milk chocolate base but it was the intense whiskey flavour that won me over. This is the first whiskey based truffle I've tried that really gave me that true whiskey experience, encapsulating the complex tone and warmth you only get with top quality whiskey. Both truffles had a great mouth feel, that giving, melty texture the best kind of chocolate has, both presented with impeccable shine, and amazing depth in flavour and aroma. I was certainly impressed by the two varieties we tried and have my eyes set on tasting several more in the range.

We also ordered two hot chocolates, a hazelnut version for me and the traditional Belgian for my friend. Not only were these beautiful to look at they were generously sized and at perfect drinking temperature. These were both super velvety, frothy and indulgent. The Belgian was well rounded, robust and rich whilst the hazelnut flavour was like someone had crossed a kinder surprise with a huge spoon of nutella, totally delicious. One of the better hot chocolates I've had in Adelaide, clearly made with real chocolate and expertise.

My friend also ordered the house made toasted crumpets with butter and raspberry cacao nib jam. The crumpets were warm, with a golden, slightly crisp exterior and a super soft, fluffy interior. The jam was amazing, very unique as it was sweet but not sickening, a real homemade texture and a raspberry flavour that had a subtle chocolate undertone

Overall I was really impressed by Adelaide's new Koko Black outlet, they have certainly upped the game when it comes to chocolate boutiques/cafes. I'm really glad Adelaide is coming alive with places like this that offer a high quality but still relatively affordable product, a decadent menu and professional service.  If you are in town I'd highly recommend dropping in and checking it out, or if your looking for to spoil someone giving their range of chocolate a go. I will definitely be back to try out the desserts and cakes they offer.

HypnoTHAIzed

Needing a good feed outside of the CBD to fuel several hours of dancing at the Hot Dub Time Machine Concert my friend and I headed to HypnoTHAIzed at Henley Beach. This restaurant has been open for a few months now and is owned and run by the former chef's of Tounge Thai'd, which for many years was  ago to for Thai food post late night work shifts at Bunnings. I rang and booked a table for the 5.30 sitting (they do two sittings a night) as every time I drive past the place is absolutely bursting at the seams full. When we arrived it was very quiet though, quite a few takeaways to start with but it did get much busier as the night progressed.

We were greeted and sat down by the owner of the restaurant, who was not only extremely friendly but also helpful with recommendations and who described the dishes with passion.  The table was already set with water and traditional Thai cups and we started by ordering soft drinks whilst we decided on food.

I have to note the restaurant itself is stunning, modern, classy and intimate. There is plenty of seating, but I didn't feel cramped and could hold conversation with ease. Decor wise the vibe is trendy without being overdone and still retains elements of traditional Thai culture. With gorgeous mood lighting, soft contemporary background music, subtle room fragrance and an edgy black and red colour scheme the whole feel was perfect for a romantic date or special event meal. It is honestly one of the best fitted out eateries I have been to in a while.

For entree we went with a two person serve of the special entree platter. This dish came with vegetable samosas, spring rolls, fish cakes, chicken satays and mini chicken drumsticks on a bed of crunchy cabbage, garnished with spring onions. I started with the spring roll, it was perfectly crunchy and filled with a well balanced, generous amount of vegetables, noodles and herbs. Next up, the drumstick.. so much flavour, no greasiness and a slightly crispy skin, I could have easily eaten a whole plate of these. The samosa would rate as the best I've had in Adelaide based solely on the light as air, golden, crunchy pastry, but the filling was thick, chunky and delicious as well. My friend loved the satays. The chicken was grilled with no heavy or greasy crumbing, a refreshing change from satay you get at other places whilst the sauce was thick with a really true creamy peanut flavour. My favourite item was most definitely the fish cake though, it was so 'meaty' in texture with complex, but extremely fresh red curry flavours. I would love a recipe for these because they would make an amazing lunch dish with a huge salad!

For main my friend ordered the chicken larb and the pepper, egg, chicken fried rice. Now, my friend is a bit Thai food mad and judges the quality of any Thai restaurant on their rendition of the chicken larb. HypnoTHAIzed's version passed muster with flying colours! Described as 'amazing' the dish was flavourful, super light, well balanced, and generously sized. 

I'm no big fan of fried rice, I tend to find it too heavy and overpowering as a side. This version, recommended as a good complement to our other dishes by the owner, has won me over though! No excessive oil, so many tender, juicy chicken pieces, fluffy, perfectly cooked rice and a unique flavour that made it shine high above your usual fried rice seasoning. This is certainly a winning dish on the menu, and one worth trying if you visit.

My choice of main was the basil vegetable stir fry with chicken. This dish was really what made the night for me, I wanted something substantial but not heavy, and a good kick of chilli, this was all that plus some. The chicken was succulent and well cooked, all of the vegetables were still crispy with a good bite to them (not frozen mix) whilst the combo of basil and chilli was distinct yet perfectly balanced to complement not overpower the protein and vegetables. A really good serving size that was just the right amount for me, it could easily be shared with a side however if you were not as hungry. I would most certainly order this dish again without hesitation.

I also ordered a side of white rice, just like the fried rice it was cooked perfectly. Each mouthful presented me with fluffy, soft and separated grains of carb-filled goodness.

I was really impressed with this local family run restaurant, great pricing, unique, extremely well executed and delicious food and just to top it off fantastic service. The venue is stunning, and I'd have to say they've made their way on my list of favourite places to eat. My friend was also majorly impressed.  I grabbed a take away menu for hubby, and guarantee a revisit in the future (if only to try the amazing range of desserts they had but we were just too full for). If you are looking for something out of town, with great food and passionate, old fashioned service give this place a shot, I'm sure they'll make it a night to remember.

Matsuri Japanese Resturant & Mothers Crepe

Okay, I have been a terrible, terrible food blogger. I seriously have another five posts after this one to write and publish, I really should just write them the next day. I have been super busy with University/PhD ethics applications, lots of training, looking after a new puppy, injury rehabilitation and general wife/friendship duties though so it's not like I've been procrastinating :P. Anyway, on to the reviews, today I have my thoughts on my visit to Matsuri Japanese Restaurant and Mothers Crepe.

Matsuri Japanese Restaurant

I visited Matsuri on a Friday night before a catch up with friends at a suburban pub. This place  had been recommend by several good friends but I had been hesitant to try it out due to my love for the quality and price of Wasai. Finally after much internal umming and ahhing we booked a table for 5.30pm. The restaurant is divided into two sections, a typical restaurant style area and a traditional section, for which you remove your shoes and sit on the floor. Our booking was early so when we arrived the restaurant was pretty much empty, but it did fill up quickly at around 6.30 so if you want to snag a table in the traditional section I highly recommend making a booking. The restaurant overall is welcoming, clean yet warm and has quite a traditional feel. The more mainstream section is quiet spacey whilst the traditional side is intimate, without being cramped. Atmosphere wise it really was a unique and fun experience to sit bare foot around the low tables in the silk divided 'booths'. I would say this place would be perfect for a romantic date or small gathering of close friends.

When we arrived we were greeted by the most lovely waitress, she was so sweet and friendly and her service throughout our meal was attentive but not overbearing. I honestly would give this place an A++++ for service, Efficient, welcoming and helpful, I couldn't fault it all (plus all the staff are in traditional dress which just added to the venue's atmosphere). We started by ordering a hot house Sake, a green tea and a lime soda bitters for drinks whilst we looked over the menu. These were quickly brought to the table and our order was taken.

For entree we started off with Edamame (salted soya beans), unlike Wasai where these are complementary we did have to order and pay for these, however the serve was huge for two people and I actually preferred the flavour of these to Wasai's, they had a much stronger salty taste and were bigger and juicer. Certainly worth paying for if you enjoy Edamame.

So.... I went to a Japanese restaurant and ordered chips for our other entree. On any other night I would have been pretty ashamed of this however these chips were unique enough and delicious enough for me not to care. Described on the menu as Aonori Chips- fried potato chips with aonori flakes, Shichimi and mayo these were addictive and moreish. The chips were your average probably precut/frozen kind, but they were cooked well with a good crunch and a soft fluffy centre. However, it was the seasoning and mayo that made these amazing. The flavour totally hit all my umami senses and the mayo was creamy and complex. Although quite 'western' I really enjoyed these and would highly recommend them for those unsure/not huge fans of more traditional Japanese food.

For mains we ordered the large Sushi boat which came with a generous selection of Sushi and sashimi, with nigiri and vegetarian options included. A very similar boat to Wasai's deluxe version with some slight variances in the kinds of seafood offered (for example here there is a squid nigiri whereas at Wasai you get oysters). Everything was simply delicious, fresh, clean and all the pieces had good flavour combinations. There was just the right amount of condiments and soft, fluffy rice that had a perfect slightly sticky texture. My favourite pieces were the two that had been grilled/cooked (such rich, smokey flavours) as well as the jumbo rolls.

To sum up my visit to Matsuri, I was very impressed. Absolutely outstanding service with quality, well prepared and delicious food. The pricing here is slightly higher than at Wasai for a very comparable product food wise, however at Matsuri you get such a unique atmosphere, and that extra little bit of personalised service which makes it worth your money. I'd highly recommend Matsuri for anyone that loves their Japanese food, fun and different outside of the box dining experiences and people looking for an intimate and classy dining option.

Mothers Crepe

After dinner we wandered down to Mothers Crepe for a cheap and quick dessert. I ordered the brownie, banana, ice cream and whipped cream crepe with added nutella whilst my friend went with the brownie, strawberries, ice cream, and whipped cream crepe. Just like my previous visits great thin, sugary crepes, plenty of filling (anywhere this generous with nutella makes me super happy) and good value for money. This is the first time I've tried the brownie and ice cream here, the brownie was nice with chewy and soft texture, obviously not the most life changing brownie I've ever had but for a mass produced add in it was much better than expected. The ice cream was also good, we both got the cookies and cream flavour, which was creamy, smooth and had heaps and heaps of cookie pieces. The only fault this visit was that they forget items in both our crepes and we had to remind them to add them in, we also had a pretty decent chunk of time between each crepe..so they made one.. then made a part of someone else's order than made our second one which was a bit odd. It was on the busy side and the girls seemed a little flustered so not a huge negative, they probably just needed one more person on to manage the till/ordering. Mothers Crepe is still my favourite place for crepes in Adelaide and still the only place I feel I can get anything close to the street crepes I indulged in when I was in London :)