The Auswine Forum

OK guys. What's hot or in at the moment? Anything but Asian as I'm holidaying from Asia.

Where is Auge?

JamieBahrain wrote:Where is Auge?

Near the central market, in Grote street almost to Victoria Square.

Northern side of the street, easily accessible.

Thanks Gavin. That's where we dined with Rooview a few years ago?

Was it any good?

JamieBahrain wrote:Thanks Gavin. That's where we dined with Rooview a few years ago?

Correct

and, from memory, you and I stayed sober!

I wasn't that excited by it, but it does get consistently great press!

Shiki in the Hyatt don't normally do BYO but they will make an exception for a special bottle...for the bargain price of $50/bottle!! That's a new record for my Adelaide dining experiences.

I'd second Auge, haven't been there for a year or so, but have enjoyed it every time I've been.

The Red Ochre - Australiana with bush foods, always good in my opinion if somewhat pricey (for Adelaide)

Cos - For a good honest eye fillet for $20, we have had offlines here and it has never disappointed

The Argentinean Grill - Lots of nice big chunks of meat to chose from, not the small sort of stuff that you have to chase around your plate like in Asia

Mezze - Good home cooked Greek food near the market.

Organic Pizza Cafe - Yummy

Jimmies at Crafers - Have heard a lot of good things about this one but haven't made it there yet (lots of Lebanese dishes like goat etc)

I could keep going but am just making myself damn hungry, as I couldn't be bothered driving into McLaren Vale today so it looks like sardines on toast...eeeek, except there's no toast

Sosta on Rundle Street is similar to the Argentinian but cheaper. Good glassware, decanters and wine knowledge.

SOHO is not surprisingly at the top of my list - a fantastic venue with great food, people and value.

The Sauce is an old favourite, although I haven't been there a while - I think Steve used to get mates rates for us there too...

Himalayan Kitchen is a good venue if you like spicy, Tibetan-style food.

One place I haven't been to yet but heard great things from others is Barton's at the Caledonian Hotel - the menu looks great, and it's free BYO Tuesdays. I'll have to check it out soon.

Cheers,
Ian

Ps. Yep, it's getting close to that time to start talking about the next offline too - I'm thinking sometime in November when David & Pam are back from holidays.

Another heart vote for Auge for mine. Never blown away but always left happy and that counts.

A special place, rather close to my heart is Kenji on Hutt Street. Admittedly fusion-esque Japanese/Oz this place is BYO friendly (their wine list isn't exactly stellar) but the food is great, atmopshere is humming and waitresses cute.

Me like.

Wayno wrote:A special place, rather close to my heart is Kenji on Hutt Street. Admittedly fusion-esque Japanese/Oz this place is BYO friendly (their wine list isn't exactly stellar) but the food is great, atmopshere is humming and waitresses cute.

Me like.

Me like also...

Nayan wrote:Sosta on Rundle Street is similar to the Argentinian but cheaper. Good glassware, decanters and wine knowledge.

I like everything about Sosta, except the steaks. I haven't had one I've been happy with

Glen wrote:Cos - For a good honest eye fillet for $20, we have had offlines here and it has never disappointed
[

Check ahead for BYO though. Last time I went there, I called ahead letting them know my party of 4 was bringing 4 bottles and on arrival there proceeded to be a stand off saying only one bottle per table was acceptable. In the end, after much posturing and negotiating the 4 bottles were accepted with us buying a bottle off the list and a round of beers. Moral of the story call ahead at Cos and check! Great steaks, Parisian fries and service otherwise!

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

I am organising a birthday dinner for the wife and as an Adelaide girl she will be quite impressed if I can pull off a great evening- without the knowledge I'm using insider info'.

Soho. What and where is that Ian? I'm around for a few weeks in November if an offline is happening!

JamieBahrain wrote:Soho. What and where is that Ian? I'm around for a few weeks in November if an offline is happening!

You were at the Marathon offline there with John & Mark back in June:
http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=6907

That one was in the large undercover courtyard at the back, but they also have a private room & small booths for smaller groups/parties. If you do want to arrange something there give Bradley & Peta a call in advance.
http://www.soho73.com/

There will be an offline in November, although we're still to set a date - David & Pam suggested their favourite Yum Cha place further west on Gouger Street so that will be a cheaper/more casual venue to the ones we've been having the last couple of months. We're still working out the details to avoid holidays, other tastings, etc - it's looking like a very busy couple of months ahead.

Cheers,
Ian

Ps. What's the reason for your bias against the local Asian places Jamie? Do you think the quality doesn't measure up to what you have over there, or is it just because of the pure volume of similar dishes you already eat on a regular basis?

Thanks Ian

No bias against Asian food. In fact, my favourite Asian food is often in Australia- due to local produce.

I spend 10 nights a month in China and live above a Hong Kong restaurant district so when holidaying in Oz I become a meat and potatos diner.

Yum Cha place further west on Gouger Street

which one is that?

I just tried the Sauce and they advised a two bottle limit, greater than 10 years old and corkage $16 per bottle.

I have a table of fourteen. Is this a common Adelaide BYO practice now ? Limiting bottles.

If anyone has a suggestion feel free to PM me!

Thanks....

JamieBahrain wrote:I just tried the Sauce and they advised a two bottle limit, greater than 10 years old and corkage $16 per bottle.

I have a table of fourteen. Is this a common Adelaide BYO practice now ? Limiting bottles.

If anyone has a suggestion feel free to PM me!

Thanks....

Per person?

cheers

Carl

Two per person would work Griff.

However, it is a two bottle limit per group!

Auge is out too.

Limit of 4 bottles BYO at $16 per bottle.

Hmmmmm............

Next?

Soho restrictions 2 BYO bottles for 14 people.

Is this a new Adelaide thing?

JamieBahrain wrote:Soho restrictions 2 BYO bottles for 14 people.

Is this a new Adelaide thing?

Geez

I hope not!!!! Pretty ordinary I think.

Tell them you are a wine lover, and entertaining wine friends.

I let them know I'm a wine retailer and entertaining wine folks and I'm usually fine.

Excepting of course the Belgium Beer House, but that's another story!

JamieBahrain wrote:Soho restrictions 2 BYO bottles for 14 people.

Is this a new Adelaide thing?

Did you tell Soho you're part of the auswine forum??

Try this, we have held a number of auswine forum dinners there, as you know, they should look after us with corkage and BYO's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JamieBahrain wrote:I just tried the Sauce and they advised a two bottle limit, greater than 10 years old and corkage $16 per bottle.

I have a table of fourteen. Is this a common Adelaide BYO practice now ? Limiting bottles.

I know they've got to make money, but this is extortionate. $16 per bottle is ludicrous as is the 10 year limit and 2 bottle limit.

Hire a chef, buy some fresh produce and entertain at home.

michaelw wrote:Hire a chef, buy some fresh produce and entertain at home.

Good idea. I'd suggest Zach and Sam Kernow at Two Brothers Catering

michaelw wrote:

JamieBahrain wrote:I just tried the Sauce and they advised a two bottle limit, greater than 10 years old and corkage $16 per bottle.

I have a table of fourteen. Is this a common Adelaide BYO practice now ? Limiting bottles.

I know they've got to make money, but this is extortionate. $16 per bottle is ludicrous as is the 10 year limit and 2 bottle limit.

Hire a chef, buy some fresh produce and entertain at home.

Good idea

but Jamie's home is in

Hong Kong!

From The Age last weekend, there's plenty of Aus chefs in HK these days. Failing that, hire a local chef.

JamieBahrain wrote:I just tried the Sauce and they advised a two bottle limit, greater than 10 years old and corkage $16 per bottle.

I have a table of fourteen. Is this a common Adelaide BYO practice now ? Limiting bottles.

JamieBahrain wrote:Auge is out too.

Limit of 4 bottles BYO at $16 per bottle.

Hmmmmm............

JamieBahrain wrote:Soho restrictions 2 BYO bottles for 14 people.

Is this a new Adelaide thing?

I think someone ringing out of the blue with fourteen people could be the snag here in these cases...

When we've done 1-1-1 set-menu offlines at Soho we've let them know very well in advance, and as they usually lurk around the forum they already know it's an Auswine event with like-minded wine lovers. It's the first I've heard of a bottle limit, so maybe they've made an exception for us (and some other local wine groups).

I've never arranged anything at The Sauce - it's usually been Steve (707) and it's been long-hinted that what we got there were 'mates rates' with a strict set menu. It was a similar thing with Auge - Adrian negotiated with them for quite a while to get the deal we had that night.

If you still have no luck you could ring Barton's at the Caledonian Hotel - they apparently have free BYO Tuesdays, so even if it's not on a Tuesday it may be worth a call to see if you can negotiate a deal with BYO at $??/bottle for your event because they may be flexible.

http://www.caledonianhotel.com.au/home.htm

Cheers,
Ian

Ps. The fact that were moving into the Xmas season could now be a factor too, especially with bigger bookings.