McLaren Vale and the south coast
in alphabetical order
Aquacaf
94 Barrage Road
Goolwa South Australia 5214
w www.aquacaf.com.au
e not available
t 8555 1235
Everyone’s favourite, we have received dozens of emails from delighted diners taking the time and trouble to tell us not just how much, but why they love Aquacaf. Owners Ben McLeod (front of house) and Jordon Theordoris (chef) have pitched Aquacaf just right. The have kept things in context with service that is casual, friendly and efficient because after all Aquacaf is a tiny scruffy little beach café that expands into something larger during the summer months with plenty of umbrella shaded outside seating. There is food all day and your dog will be welcomed outside, even given a drink of water. What is pitched way above what one might dare expect, is Theordoris’ really fantastic food. Fresh and seasonal it is a style we wish more Adelaide restaurants would attempt to imitate. Whilst they must be sick of making them their fish pasties are scrumptious, laden with mixed seafood encased in a delicious short crust. Flavour and freshness is nearly always intensified with an extensive use of herbs, grown by Theordoris’ father-in-law, and the intense zesty fresh clean flavours in all their food has become the hallmark of his kitchen. Desserts and cakes are the territory of Theordoris’ wife Stephanie Vasileff and are spectacular. This little café is a jewel and arriving at the weekend at lunchtime without a reservation is asking for the ’Mary and Joseph’ treatment, rest of the day is not such a problem.
Currently, my favourite food in South Australia is Aquacaf and like many other South Australians we just wish you’d move into the city!!!!!
Everyone loves this little establishment — read their review
Currant Shed Restaurant
Ingoldby Road McLaren Flat South Australia 5171
t +61 8 8383 0232
Unpretentious quality generous food with the added pleasure of a blue wren dance right in front of you — read their review
D’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant
Osborne Road
McLaren Vale South Australia 5171
t +61 8 8323 8710
Wonderful vineyard and hills view, relaxed surroundings, quality cooking, excellent winery list confidently standing against some excellent old and new world wines — read their review
Fino
8 Hill Street
Willunga South Australia 5172,
Right next to the Alma Hotel
t +61 8 8556 4488
A humble setting chef owner David Swain’s cooking is pared back perfection. Not everyone gets the sometimes brusque front of house, but business partner Sharon Romeo writes a damned fine list of local and international wines —
read their review
Russell’s Pizza
13 High Street Willunga South Australia 5172
t +61 8 8556 2571
Legendary wood oven pizza, this is a very quirky establishment, dinner only Friday and Saturday 12 months of the year, dinner Thursday nights November till Thursday before January long weekend; book
after 12 noon on a Thursday — bookings required
Saltbush Bistro
164 Esplanade Aldinga Beach South Australia 5173
t +61 8 8556 5546
Not formally reviewed by Galaxy Guides but right on the beach Salt Bush Bistro delivers its promise of simple fresh food in an ambiance that is perfectly pitched and their deck on a good day has a marvellous ocean view. They serve coffee all day and do breakfast, lunch and dinner on the weekends. The team is young enthusiastic and we think doing a pretty good job.
The Kitchen Door
At Penny’s Hill and Mr Riggs Cellars
Main Road
McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
W www.pennyshill.com.au and www.mrriggs.com.au
E not for bookings
T +61 8 8556 4000
F +61 8 8556 4462
OPEN lunch seven days — read their review
Stranded
Not on the water this is yet another quirky place run by a complete eccentric. Food could be regional Australian one day and Mexican and margeuritas another. Stranded is not in the league of Acquacaf, D’Arry’s Verandah, Fino or The Kitchen Door, but it’s a reliable option with genrous portions and a pretty good mostly local wine list — read their review
Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat
www.chapelhillwine.com.au
Our friend and colleague Brett Lanthois is now general manager of the retreat and has recently employed Rebecca Stubbs as their ful time chef and teacher. After just one week they are ripping into the garden planting herbs and leaves and working on a significant new program of cooking classes and weekend events.
The retreat specialises in group hands–on classes including wood oven lessons. A great idea for team bonding or just a good time! email Brett Lanthois
other things to do
Willunga Farmers’ Market
www.willungafarmersmarket.com
Every Saturday from 8.00 am
Coriole Music Festival
The Lloyd family never do anything mediocre. They make fabulous wine, fantastic cheese, brilliant olives and consistently win gold for the extra virgin olive oil. They are the patrons saints of the arts in South Australia and have always organised tremendous events at the picturesque winery. These events are always sell outand whilstitmay seem some distance till May we advise making reservations now!
This year’s Coriole Music Festival will be held on Saturday 1st May and Sunday 2nd May 2010
click here for full details
try the best pastie in south australia at
The Port Elliott Bakery — best pastie in South Australia and expect to queue weekends — read their review
for more south australian
beachside restaurant reviews and tips
Henley Beach —click here
Goolwa — it doesn’t get better than Aquacaf click here
We love Largs were there are plenty of options click here.artprize.com.ad their review
images from top to bottom — prawn, celery and carrot salad at Aquacaf, The wonderful view from D’Arry’s verandah of the wonderful and ever changing Fleurieu Hills, the relaxed atmosphere at Coriole Wines Shakespeare on the lawns held annually in January
