Review: d'arry's Verandah Restaurant

d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant
Osborn Road
McLaren Vale SA
(08) 8329 4848
www.darrysverandah.com.au 
*Lunches Only

I couldn't be more happy than to finally get down to D'arenberg in McLaren Vale, girlfriends in tow. d'arrys Verandah Restaurant had certainly been talked up and is home to two accomplished chefs, Nigel Rich and Peter Reschke. Needless to say I was not disappointed. Not only do you find yourself in a beautiful location overlooking the gorgeous valley, but the food was truly exceptional.  The other obvious advantage of a restaurant in a winery was the fantastic wine on offer and well priced at that.
The menu makes decision making a challenge. All that was on offer sounded fantastic and would accommodate all styles of personal taste. For entree the Lobster Medallion with blue swimmer crab & prawn ravioli and lobster bisque ($29) was divine. The lobster was lovely, the ravioli outstanding and the lobster bisque was sensational. All the components of this dish worked incredibly well and it was topped off with perfect presentation. The other entree tried was the Half shell scallop ceviche and abalone sashimi with white peach and wasabi F.F.R Salad ($24). The presentation of this dish was beautiful. So fresh, alive and intricate. This was a light style of entree with spicy hints of wasabi. It was a fantastic mix of textures both visually and to taste. A very impressive dish.
For Main I had the Slow cooked duck and seared breast with braised fennel, orange and rocket and fennel salad ($33). The duck was also perfectly cooked with crispy skin and succulent meat. The flavours of the whole dish were incredibly well matched and the added orange segments really brought the dish to life.
I also was fortunate enough to sample the Roast pork belly with grilled fig, Miss Merbain and fig salad ($30). I say I was fortunate because this pork belly was amazing. Again, a brilliant balance of flavours. The pork was moist and tender, it had the perfect strength of flavour and the crackling was of course the highlight. There were lots of appealing desserts on the menu. The Soft centred chocolate pudding ($16) was delicious and the gooey centre just oozed out. The highlight of the desserts for me was the Passionfruit souffle ($16). Light, fluffy and an abundance of passionfruit flavour. The Panna Cotta ($15) was nice but no match for the other desserts.
d'arrys verandah restaurant is definitely worth a visit. It's obvious the menu and all the dishes have been well thought about and crafted by experienced chefs. The wine is unquestionably some of the regions best, and having the tasting room next door to come and go throughout the meal had its advantages, particularly when it came down to choice for our meal.  Let's also not forget the fabulous location. The only disappointment of the experience was our waitress who couldn't bear to bring a smile. She unfortunately did not share a hint of the outstandingness of d'arry's verandah restaurant.


The Eatery by CK



The Lobster Medallion



Half shell scallop ceviche



Slow cooked duck



Roast pork belly



desserts



Review: Mandoo Korean Dumplings

Mandoo Korean Dumplings
26 Bank Street Adelaide  
(08) 8231 3303
Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 5pm-9pm

I'd heard a few good things about this small Korean dumpling restaurant in Bank Street, so I was very eager to get there and see what the hype was about.
Mandoo - which is Korean for "dumpling" is a small, authentic and very basic eatery that sells just that - dumplings. The menu is more or less limited to fried or steamed dumplings in either chicken, pork or vegetarian. Aside from these dishes there are one or two other choices but they were either not available on the day or could only be ordered for dinner.
Each plate of dumplings costs about $10. This gets you 8 dumplings, a small lettuce salad, a scoop of mashed potato (odd, I know) and some really good chilli dipping sauce. One plate is sufficiently satisfying for a lunch.

I tried the Steamed mandoo in vegetarian and also in Kimchi, which is a traditional Korean flavour and the Chicken fried mandoo. All of the dumpling were fresh, well made, full of flavour and the fried dumplings were particularly nice.

If you enjoy dumplings, this place is for you. The simplicity of Mandoo works well on all levels and adds to the appeal of the place.
Mandoo Korean Dumplings, worth a visit if you happen to be around Bank Street in the city.

The Eatery By CK 



Korean Mandoo (dumplings)



Review: The Coterie - Woodstock Winery

The Coterie - Woodstock Winery

Douglas Gully Rd, McLaren Flat
(08) 8383 0156
http://www.woodstockwine.com.au/

I recently met a couple of friends for an afternoon platter and a glass of vino at The Coterie Restaurant at Woodstock Winery in McLaren Vale. On a beautiful day this winery is a must. The restaurant is opened up so make sure you request a table outside. (If you go in winter I find the inside of the restaurant to be a little dark and you kind of feel like you’re back in the 70’s.) Outside, you are surrounded by beautiful gum trees and native bushland. The smell of eucalyptus from some of the surrounding trees really is intoxicating.
The Coterie serves a Regional Platter for $25pp (serves two people) and is full of local produce; Locally Smoked Meats, Chorizo, Aldinga Turkey, Turkey Muscat Pate, Brie, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Marinated Mushrooms, Capsicum and Herb Polenta, Vegetable Layered Frittata, Seasonal Fruit, Olive Oil and Breads. ………. All of the food on the platter is good and my only criticism was that there was not enough of the toasted crusty bread.... which bugs me! We also shared the dips platter with a couple of really nice dips and very good flat bread to mop them up (there was enough of this bread).
Enjoy the platters, or any other of The Coterie’s food with a few glasses of their gutsy reds. The 2008 Woodstock Shiraz was particularly nice. It was smooth, well rounded and goes well with food. Of course the best thing to do is go to the tasting room and decide what you like there before you purchase in the restaurant.
Woodstock during the warmer weather is good for younger kids with a playground that blends into the surroundings and some grassed area to run/explore.


The Eatery by CK

Review: Grace The Establishment

Grace The Establishment

127 The Parade Norwood
(08) 8333 1007
http://www.thegrace.net.au/


From the people who brought you The Manse and Sparrow, comes their new venture, Grace The Establishment. I must begin by commenting that its about time Norwood has some sort of a drinking bar that isn't a pub. I'm still dumb founded by the fact that The Parade has next to no wine or cocktail bars and only a few good eating spots. Bring back the "George Wine Bar" in its entirety, I say.
Upon hearing that a nice tapas style bar had opened on the Parade I was more than excited to test run "the establishment".

Friday night and they were certainly pulling in the crowd early, a mix of ages however, quite the scene. The venue itself is fantastic, a long bar stretching almost the length of the narrow room, opening out into more of a sit down dining area, and then out into a beautiful courtyard complete with a gorgeous tree catching the setting sun's rays. I was most impressed and happy to be there.

Then came the sangria. There were a few options to choose from and we selected the "Pink Sangria" for $25 a jug (about 3 large glasses). This was really nice, fresh and exactly as sangria should be. We also tried the "Grace in Cider" which again was beautifully fresh and very easy to drink.

Unfortunately when it came to food, the price was no match for what I ate. Grace has a selection of tapas style meals which are incredibly small. You can also choose from a selection of steak or fish which comes completely alone on its plate. If you order these meals, you have to purchase one of the sides to go with them and in my opinion they are completely overpriced. On this occasion, and although I did see a beautiful looking steak at someone else's table, I chose not to pay $35 to cut a steak into bits and share with my friends. Instead we ordered the Yellow tail king fish ($8) which consisted of four very small mouthfuls of the raw fish. It came with a jar of a ginger and shallot dressing which we were told to shake up and pour over. The ginger and lime flavour in the dressing gave the kingfish a gorgeous freshness that cut through the saltiness of the soy flavour which appeared to be the base for the dressing.

I also tried the Serrano jamon, supposedly aged for 12 months. At $16 a serve I was expecting some pretty amazing Jamon but unfortunately it fell way short and was comparable to the prosciutto I buy at the supermarket for $5. A complete waste of money. The other major disappointment was the Bread and Coriole olive oil ($4.5). The olive oil was beautiful, as expected from Coriole, however I was astounded that they served what seemed like a commercial packaged dry continental loaf, again that you could find in the bread isle of the supermarket.

Another let down was the Chorizo with white beans and tomato ($8.5), it can only be described as average. The chorizo was fried and although pleasant enough to eat, there was nothing special about it. This also goes for the white beans, tomato and chilli that it was served on. Very bland and not a hint of chilli.

My meal was in some way redeemed with a serve of the Rangers Valley beef tartare, with sour dough wafer and creme friache ($5.5). Although the serve was fittingly small, it packed a punch in terms of flavour. At the end of each creamy mouthful you experienced a kind of spicy kick by way of a jalapeno flavour. It was fantastic and presented exceptionally.

As far as food goes there is quite a selection on the menu. To me its the kind of place you go to when you're not hungry or looking for a complete meal but perhaps feel like a snack. I have to comment that the wine and champagne list is also quite pricey.

All in all the verdict on Grace The Establishment is it's the place to go for some sangria, a nibble to get the taste buds fired up and certainly a place to be seen among an easy on the eyes kind of crowd. 

We finished our drinks, vowed only to come back for the sangria and walked across the road to the yiros bar and ate till my stomach told me it was time to go home. 

The Eatery by CK




The court yard of Grace The Establishment






Chorizo with white bean and tomato



Yellow Tail Kingfish



Cocktail Hour

One for me, One for you


A kind young bar tender once wrote down this cocktail recipe for me after he probably drank too much on his shift. This cocktail is simple, fresh, delicious and not too sweet. You could easily spend the night on this one! I particularly like how he specifies to use 7 ice cubes.


6-8 mint leaves
30ml Cointreau
30ml Havana Club
1 (small) scoop of lemon sorbet
1/2 lime squeezed
7 ice cubes


BLEND!


The Eatery by CK

Review: Estia

Estia
255 Seaview Road
Henley Beach Square
(08) 8353 2875

http://www.estia.com.au/


I love Estia during summer in Adelaide. Getting a table outside is a must so you can see the ocean, it is part of the whole experience.
I must say as far as food goes some dishes are fantastic while others just don’t hit the mark. I do however keep going back for the beachside location, great personal service and those particular dishes I just have to order everytime – zucchini croquettes and lamb fillets.
Estia serves greek food and portions are small and designed to be shared with a group. Ask the wait staff to serve your food progressively as it adds to the whole experience.
On my latest visit to Estia, between 5 of us, we shared 2 serves of Kolokithi - zucchini, feta and onion croquettes, served with tzatziki; Gigandes - lima beans baked with tomato salsa, fennel, garlic, parsley, celery and carrot; Tis Skaras Garithes - prawns marinated in olive oil, garlic and wild fennel, Tis Skaras Octapodi - octopus marinated in olive oil, garlic and black pepper, chargrilled; and 2 serves of Tis Skaras Arnaki - lamb fillets marinated in olive oil, lemon and spices, chargrilled.
The croquettes are totally moreish, yum yum yum, the kind of fried food that brings about the "I could live on these" remark. They go particulary well with a Corona or glass of the Pewsey Vale Reisling. The other item on the menu I just cant resist ordering is the lamb fillets. I’m not a big lamb eater but these don’t have a real strong lamb flavour and again I usually go back for a second order of these. They are absolutely delish!
The rest of the food we ordered was little disappointing. The lima beans didn’t seem like they were cooked enough. The prawns were nice although probably left a tad too long on the grill. The same can be said for the octopus which was rather rubbery.
Despite the variations in quality of food on the menu, I will return to Estia when the sun is out and the wine is chilled. Great location, great service, reasonably priced and some yummy dishes to choose from.

The Eatery by CK