Valentine’s Day: 11 romantic SA dining experiences you’ve probably never heard about
Looking to woo your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Here are 11 of South Australia’s most romantic dining experiences you’ve probably never heard of.
Food & Wine
Don't miss out on the headlines from Food & Wine. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From fine dining on the Adelaide Oval, to tarot card readings at Prospect eatery Rosemont Hall, some of South Australia’s restaurants are pulling out the stops this Valentine’s Day. But what are the other experiences available throughout the year?
Whether you want to spoil your loved one on February 14, or organise an intimate retreat for when they least expect it, here are 11 of the most romantic dining experiences in South Australia that extend beyond a candlelit dinner.
CANAPES IN THE CAVE
McLaren Vale
A star in McLaren Vale’s dining landscape, Maxwell Restaurant pulls out the stops to create a dining experience that’s as memorable for the mind as it is for the tastebuds. Their canapes in a cave experience was such a success last year, they’re bringing it back for Valentine’s Day eve (February 13). Enjoy sparkling wine and canapes, prepared by talented head chef Fabian Lehmann in Maxwell’s 100-year-old limestone cave. Then enjoy a wondrous journey of flavour and texture over a degustation experience inside the restaurant, overlooking the winery grounds.
The canapes in the cave is just an extra $40 on your dinner booking, maxwellwines.com.au
PRIVATE FLY-THRU LUNCH
McLaren Vale
If you really want to make your lover’s heart flutter, take them on a private helicopter ride, with lunch delivered to your “door”. Your day will begin with a wine tasting at Penny’s Hill, where you’ll get to choose your favourite drop to enjoy with lunch (which comes a little later). A 25-minute flight will take you over the Onkaparinga gorge and southern coastline then to The Currant Shed restaurant, where you’ll pick up your pre-ordered meal. After that, it’s off to an exclusive and private location to dine while enjoying sweeping views of the hills and coast. $590pp, helivista.com.au
WINE AND WANDER
McLaren Vale
There are picnics, and then there’s the full blown epicurean lunch you’re served during Gemtree’s Wine and Wander experience. The feast is prepared by nearby restaurant The Salopian Inn (named The Advertiser’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year) and is your reward at the end of a stroll along the wine brand’s ecotrail. The three-hour experience begins at Gemtree’s Tasting Room where you are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine personalised explanation of Gemtree’s organic and biodynamic philosophies and private wine tasting experience. When you finally sit down to eat, it’s in the great, secluded outdoors … with just the local wildlife for company. Gorgeous. $155/pp, gemtreewines.com
SUNSET ON THE CHACE
Flinders Ranges
Want to really up the romance stakes? It doesn’t get much better than enjoying canapes and wine while watching the sun set over the Flinders Ranges. Rawnsley Park Station (which offers luxury eco accommodation and family holiday units) offers a range of outback experiences including a two-hour 4WD Wilpena Pound tour that finishes at a private hilltop summit with the sun setting over the stunning Chace Range. The accompanying canapes are prepared by the property’s Woolshed Restaurant. It’s pretty as a Hans Heysen painting.
From $110pp, rawnsleypark.com.au
IN-HOUSE CHEF AT HUTTON VALE FARM
Barossa Valley
This is a farm-stay but not as you know it. The renovation of the old stone building on Hutton Vale Farm’s beautiful Barossa property is as luxurious as it gets. Enhance your stay with a ‘cook-your-own’ paddock to plate meal (using produce grown on the farm – ethically grown lamb, free range eggs and premium wine). Or, with a week’s notice, Jan can organise an in-house chef to whip up a three-course meal – served to you in the accommodation. The property is a one-hour drive from Adelaide, or take a charter flight which lands on the farm’s private airfield between the Mt Edelstone and the Hutton Vale Farm Shiraz vineyards. The outdoor showers are a romantic touch, too.
BREAKFAST WITH KANGAROOS
Barossa Valley
If a morning spent with native fauna and flora is your idea of heaven, then this one is for you. Stay at The Barossa’s luxury The Louise accommodation to enjoy this breakfast experience – your guide will arrive in the morning to drive you 20 minutes to a conservation park, where you’ll embark on an easy 15-minute walk to find families of kangaroos starting their day. It’s here where you’ll enjoy a gourmet breakfast picnic prepared by Appellation restaurant. The total experience is 2.5 hours, $185pp, thelouise.com.au
GONDOLA CHEESE AND WINE CRUISE
The Riverland
Location, location, location. Third generation citrus and wine grape growers, Rick and Cathy Edmonds run The Frames Luxury Accommodation and have won many-an award for their three private villas, built on a clifftop overlooking the mighty Murray River. You could spend your getaway holed up in your gorgeous hideaway – it has all the trimmings (including gourmet breakfast provisions, a supreme barbecue pack and a three-course meal prepared by the in-house chef) but to really stoke the loving vibes, a two-night all-inclusive stay includes the Sunset Gondola River Cruise with sparkling wine and a cheese platter. You’ll be in the mood in no time. $250pp for the cruise alone; $1000pp all-inclusive accommodation theframesluxuryaccommodation.com.au
PENFOLDS TWILIGHT TOUR AND LUXURY DEGUSTATION
Magill
Long hailed as one of South Australia’s best restaurants, the iconic Penfolds steps things up a notch with its evening guided historical tour. You’ll walk through the Grange Cottage and vintage cellar, as well as the underground drives and original hiding spot of Max Schubert’s Grange. Then, it’s off to the Magill Estate Restaurant for a seven-course degustation matched with wines from the cellar. The 4.5hr experience is $560pp, penfolds.com
ULTIMATE AUTHENTIC BAROSSA EXPERIENCE
Barossa Valley
You’re in safe Barossa hands on this one-day experience. The Angas and Henschke families have been neighbours since the European settlement of South Australia more than 170 years ago and love to show visitors the best of local food and wine. A private plane transports you from Adelaide to the Hutton Vale Farm private airstrip where you will be whisked off to a private tour of the Henschke vineyards (including Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone) and historic winery followed by a tasting in their private winery cellar. This is followed by a leisurely lunch at Hutton Vale Farm. Unforgettable. Inquire for prices (the experience can be tailored to your needs), henschke.com.au
THE COMPLETE FLEURIEU EXPERIENCE
Fleurieu Peninsula
This daylong experience begins with an hour-long scenic helicopter tour, starting at Serafino cellar door in McLaren Vale, and over Lake Alexandrina, Goolwa Beach and Victor Harbor. Cosy up for a picnic lunch, then, back at Serafino, enjoy dinner with paired wines inside the restaurant. Stay the night in their spa suite (inquire about candles and rose petals if you really want to step things up a notch) and enjoy breakfast in bed the next day. $1450 including transfers from Adelaide, serafinowines.com.au
ENCHANTED FIG TREE
Kangaroo Island
While travel restrictions apply, a flight or ferry to Kangaroo Island is the closest we can get to an “overseas” holiday for a while. So, make the most of it. Discover a dining experience like no other under the gnarled branches and lush green leaves of a 120-year-old, colossal fig tree. On Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of February, the Enchanted Fig Tree will turn into a twinkling wonderland with bud lights and candlelight, setting a romantic scene for the night’s degustation menu.
Adelaide bakery’s niche sweet treat takes country by storm
A Port Adelaide bakery is expected to double its production this year as it takes on contracts from the most unusual of clients.
Can a restaurant be better known for its drinks than its food?
A new CBD restaurant is pumping out some delicious eats. But it might just be its drinks offering that leaves an even greater mark.