Reviewed: The Ring Kitchen in Unley
THERE are some delicious finds at a bright newcomer on Unley Rd, writes Dianne Mattsson.
WE spot a newbie on Unley Rd – so new we can’t even find a phone number or website to check what we might be eating. So, it’s an intrepid visit into a mystery space.
The place opened its doors very quietly last month, with not even a proper Facebook page to show us its wares. A liquor licence is still in the throes, and the name gives nothing away. The staff have difficulty explaining it, finally agreeing it’s a Chinese kebab house. Strange but true. Fortunately, the food is simple and not weird at all.
The Ring Kitchen occupies a large Unley Rd dining space long held by Nikitas Greek Restaurant.
Peeking in the window, there’s evidence of a bit of decor love, the tables looking more cucina-like with checked cloths, a wall of wine bottles at the bar, and pops of colour in the art and bright window-ledge cushions. We’re less enthused by fake hydrangeas.
There’s one lone diner about six tables away but we’re the only couple dining in, feeling like pioneers of a new place with a new cuisine mix. While there’s a decent range of music being piped in, buzzy atmosphere is hopefully a thing of the near future. Some locals are on
to it, several popping in for takeaways. It’s understandable, because the food is cheap.
On our visit, a limited menu – which they promise will be extended as the diner finds
its feet – includes a “hot-pot style” dish or all manner of fried kebabs.
Each kebab carries three to four small bites of meat, most 90c each, the prawn or “ham sausage king” $1.50. An earnest waiter suggests we should have two to three of each with steamed rice for an extra $1. Bargain.
We go for two lamb and two duck and add a couple of “New Orleans roast chicken wings”, $4 each, which are strangely named because they seem to have a zingy Sichuan-style punch. Kitchen timing needs a bit of fine tuning. The full and meaty wings are spicy good, but come with no garnish and look a bit lost on the table, arriving last, after other plates have been cleared away.
The specialty dish described as a hot pot, left, is a generous stir-fry of as many ingredients as you like, the vegetables $3 each and the meats $5 each.
Our combo of broccoli, cabbage and mushrooms with beef and chicken, ordered to No. 3 level of heat, equals a meal on its own for $19, plus the $1 rice. Another bargain.
So far, no desserts are offered. Watch the space, as hopefully the menu and the clientele develop.
THE RING KITCHEN
40a Unley Rd, Unley, no phone bookings
FOOD: Chinese kebabs
OWNER/CHEF: Evan Sun
PRICE: Kebabs 90c
each, rice $1, stir-fry about $14-$19
DRINKS: Licence coming
OPEN: From 5pm, seven nights
ATMOSPHERE: Hopefully a work in progress, once more people learn about it.
CROWD: Suits locals and budget-meal seekers.
TRY: The “specialty dish” and oddly named New Orleans chicken wings
TIP: For now, take your own crowd.
SCORE: 6/10