Our most anticipated restaurant openings of 2019 - and what’s to come
The next-gen offshoot of iconic Vietnam restaurant was one of Adelaide’s hotly anticipated restaurant openings of 2019. Here’s some more - and what’s to come, writes Jessica Galletly.
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Anticipation for the opening of Viet Next Door stepped up a notch when the restaurant won an interior design award – 18 months before the public was able to dine there.
The contemporary offshoot of the family-run Vietnam Restaurant in Pennington took out the Best Restaurant Design category at the 2017 Eat Drink Design Awards, but only opened in April this year. It’s one of dozens of new eateries that have enhanced South Australia’s dining scene in 2019, from laneway bars and an up-market chicken shop, to dining destinations in the Hills.
As we reveal this year’s delicious.100– South Australia’s 100 most delicious restaurants – we shine a light on some of the newcomers, as well as the hottest openings still to come.
VIET NEXT DOOR
Next-gen siblings Ben and Linda Phan are putting a contemporary spin on the Vietnamese food they grew up with at this compact, eye-catching diner. Its award-winning design is full of meaningful stories and surfaces (check out the fragments of egg shells inlaid in the tabletops), and the menu traipses between more familiar flavours – try the lightly cured kingfish with aromatic leaves and a ripper ginger nuoc cham – to those inspired by Japanese, American and even Italian cuisine.
Their signature bo kho gnocchi, for example, pairs the traditional beef stew with the pasta instead of noodles or bread.
“We’re working how Dad’s taught us, providing wonderful service and delicious food... but we’re having fun with it,” Linda says. “It’s something that is true to us.”
73A Addison Rd, Pennington, 8447 7799, vietnextdoor.com
MADRE
Self-proclaimed pizza tosser Ettore Bertonati is so passionate about his dough, he’s using Mediterranean seawater to make a base he says is a close replica to those made in Italy before
World War I.
The result? Well, you won’t find a better pizza anywhere in town.
While the menu is traditional Neapolitan through and through, the restaurant itself is more Milan than Naples, from the elegant curves to the powder-puff shades of musk and beige with a bold blue trim. For something special to finish, try a slice of the pastiera Napoletana for dessert – you’d be hard pressed to find it anywhere else.
57 Gilbert St, city, 0413 776 616, madre-adl.com
PART TIME LOVER
Set behind Adelaide Town Hall, this is a cubby house for adults to escape the humdrum of the work day.
Stewart Wesson’s menu has a signature mix of naughty deep-fried bits alongside expansive share plates brimming with leaves and herbs, this time split into three equally weighted sections for plants, seafood and meat.
From fabulous fried haloumi, to “Egyptian celebration rice” boasting shredded chicken and lamb, these are meals worthy of any occasion.
Throw in a glass of wine or beer and a quick shared feast will come in at less than $50.
Pilgrim Lane, city, 0488 448 807, parttimelover.com.au
JOYBIRD
Not even King William Rd roadworks could deter the hungry hordes from this retro-look diner, which takes the classic chook shop to the next level.
The magic is in the ever-changing starters and sides, like the stuffing butty – a herby, lightly-fried mix sandwiched in soft, white bread and served with chicken bone gravy for dipping.
Larger items might include Middle Eastern lamb shoulder or yiros, the latter boasting incredible slow-cooked lamb, lightly pickled cucumber among more typical salady bits, a special not-so-hot sauce and chips, which add texture you never knew you wanted. Wash it down with a can of craft beer, and you mightn’t visit another chicken
shop again.
164 King William Rd, Hyde Park, 8349 0891, joybird.com.au
ALLEGRA
Federico and Melissa Pisanelli, of much-loved pizzeria Etica, opened the doors to their upper level restaurant quietly, but its impact on Adelaide’s dining scene is set to be great.
Allegra is Adelaide’s first vegan fine diner, serving up the likes of grilled celeriac “steak” and glossy aquafaba meringue in a polished setting, with service to match.
It’s a five-course experience and, at $70, good value, too.
Level 1, 125 Gilles St, city, allegradiningroom.com
LOT 100
Mismatch Brewing, Adelaide Hills Distillery, VNTLPR, Ashton Valley Fresh and Hills Cider Co come together in this drinks-led dining experience that’s drawing trendsetters and families alike. There’s pizza (thanks to Tom Bubner of Pizza e Mozzarella fame) and more elaborate plates (cue former Orana chef Shannon Fleming). Among the highlights is Port Lincoln sardine fillets, grilled until their skins have blistered, and laid on a sauce of squished tomato. Take a wander around the property before squeezing in a dessert, perhaps roasted stone fruit segments, Woodside buffalo curd and
roasted hazelnuts.
68 Chambers Rd, Hay Valley, 7077 2888, lot100.com.au
Opening soon
VILLETTA PORCINI
7Andre Ursini has come a long way since the first season of MasterChef, in 2009. His new baby will be hidden in his own Mylor property. It will be intimate (around 20 guests) and very produce-driven.
Mylor, villettaporcini
FINO VINO
8Power duo David Swain and Sharon Romeo’s city version of their regional Fino at Seppeltsfield is tipped to be a favourite. “People will feel like they’re at home, because it’s our home,” Sharon says.
82 Flinders St, city, finovino.net.au
NOI VIETNAMESE EATERY
9From brunch at Devour, to desserts at Shibui – anything Quang Nguyen does has foodies coming in droves. So there are high hopes for his next project – a family-run diner that goes back to his roots.
306 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton, noivietnamese.eatery
GAJA BY SASHI
10Sashi Cheliah , the genial winner of MasterChef Australia 2018, ran a pop-up in Melbourne and is now ready for his debut restaurant serving his innovative Indian-Malaysian-Singaporean cuisine.
Cnr Chesser and Pirie streets, city, gajabysashiadl
