Tag Archives: @Things to do in Adelaide

NNQ restaurant for a taste of Vietnam – Adelaide

August 15, 2016 OurWorldinReview 2 Comments

Travelling throughout the world, there is one piece of advice that I’ve learnt which I would like to share with you. Sometimes the gems are hidden in the suburbs! During exploration in a new city we have come across a place that has that special quality on many occasions. Nghi Ngan Quan or NNQ restaurant is one of those hidden gems not too far from the Adelaide city centre. NNQ is located at 65 Woodville Road, Woodville. It is inside a glorious old heritage bank building and offers Vietnamese cuisine of the highest quality.

On a recent night out we decided to stop by at NNQ for a quick meal before attending a local music concert. It is important to know that NNQ don’t do bookings for groups under six people. For small groups they work on a first in, first served basis. This seems to work well for them as they always have people popping in for a quick bite. Don’t be put off by not being able to book because the number of tables allows them to turn over their customers quickly. If you do happen to wait they have a nice comfortable bar area, where you can order some pre dinner drinks. Waiting times can vary, but we haven’t waited longer than ten minutes to be seated.

On this occasion we were shown straight to a corner table and given time to read the menus before being offered further service. NNQ’s food menu is extremely large with maybe ten pages of available dishes. Much the same can be said for their drinks menu, with various quality wines to choose from. Take your time, and select the dish that best appeals to you. Then match it with a nice glass of wine and enjoy.

The restaurant’s floor plan is pretty big, with seating available across two floors and an outdoor al fresco area. The restaurant is nicely decorated with neutral grey colours and comfy wicker styled chairs. There are numerous pictures hanging on the walls depicting Vietnamese culture and scenery. These pictures always encourage me to go on a holiday (but, that could be just me).

stone tables, wicker chairs restaurant setting — NNQ’s neutral colour decor and wall hangings. Where do I sit?

With such a large restaurant the service staff do a great job of ensuring they look after everyone. Our lovely waitress was extremely helpful and encouraged us to try something off their new menu. We ordered entrées, selecting the chicken satay skewers and the suggested wonton soup. For our mains we decided on the grilled lemon-grass and chilli chicken and a serving of the salt and pepper soft-shelled crab. These dishes were accompanied by a side of rice.

It isn’t too long before our entrées arrive. The two chicken satay skewers are covered with a rich peanut sauce. The chicken thigh meat looks overcooked, but on tasting, it proves to be perfectly cooked. The wonton soup is a lovely flavoured broth topped with coriander and spring onions. Additionally those wonton parcels are delicately simple but tasty.

Chicken Satay with peanut sauce from NNQ — NNQ’s Chicken Satay Skewers topped with Peanut Sauce

Once you start consuming your food, the NNQ staff are so efficient that they ensure that your table isn’t too long without food. This doesn’t have to be the case, but you may want to tell them to take their time bringing out each course ordered. Our mains are quickly brought to us and the lemon-grass and chilli chicken has a subtle sweet and spicy flavour with a delayed little chilli kick for your taste buds.

Plate of food — Lemon-grass and Chilli Chicken, watch the chilli kick you may need a glass of water!

The salt and pepper soft-shelled crab is superb, the crab is well coated and has a balanced salt and pepper flavour. The dish is beautifully cooked with no excess oil dripping off the crab portions. The dish is accompanied with an onion salad, topped with coriander.

soft shelled crab on plate — NNQ’s salt and pepper soft-shelled crab

NNQ does have numerous desserts you can choose from and their fried ice cream is to die for (but not on this occasion, we have a concert to attend).

Overall NNQ is that gem that when you visit Adelaide you should definitely give a try. The price of they food is excellent with main dishes ranging from AUD$12 – AUD$40, but most main dishes are around $AUD16. Exceptional value for the quality of food you are receiving. Take away is also available if you prefer.

To get there, it is a short train ride from the Adelaide Railway Station on either the Outer Harbor or Grange lines to Woodville. Once you get to Woodville, head south down Woodville Road. NNQ is the first building on the right and you should be able to see the sign. There is plenty of free parking available if you are driving.

NNQ also has a sister store in the city called Little NNQ located at 125 Gouger Street, Adelaide. So when you are in Adelaide and decide to try this hidden gem, tell them Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)

Decor = 9
Atmosphere = 9
Service = 9
Price = 9
Food =9

Overall = 9

Australia, Restaurants

Kingz Restaurant in Semaphore, Adelaide

July 28, 2016 OurWorldinReview Leave a comment

Adelaide is well-known for it’s many churches and pristine white beaches and the beach side suburb of Semaphore has been steadily growing into one of the city’s up and coming locations. Many new restaurants have opened over the last few years along Semaphore Road. It is a popular local strip that offers a wide range of cuisines. Kingz Restaurant at 39a Semaphore Rd, is one of those newly opened establishments serving delicious Indian food.

One of our favourite cuisines has always been Indian food. Often when the vegetarian in our house suggests we indulge in something other than home cooking, Kingz Restaurant is our choice. The difference this time was that we decided that we’d eat in rather than having takeaway.

Kingz restaurant has a small shop front, with big glass bi-fold doors that they can be opened up during the warmer summer months. The restaurant has limited capacity inside and they have some unprotected outdoor tables. It seems unlikely that people will use these tables during the winter as anyone sitting here would be shivering uncontrollably. To take advantage of this extra outdoor space Kingz Restaurant needs to find a way to protect their customers from the elements during winter.

The inside of the store is neatly set out, and they have tried to bring India to the restaurant with some Indian inspired prints on the walls. There’s a big screen television mounted in the corner which plays YouTube music videos of some of India’s popular musicians and Bollywood clips. The tables are well positioned giving everyone enough room to move around, but upgrading the basic wooden chairs would add to the comfort. The atmosphere was lacking, with only our table and one other occupied. There was a steady stream on takeaway customers throughout the meal as this seems to be the restaurant’s mainstay. You can see they are trying to bring a certain style to the place, but I think they miss the mark. Adding some traditional Indian artefacts or wall hanging might improve the atmosphere.

Well positioned tables, uncomfortable chairs

We have eaten their food on many occasions, but this time we opt to try a some dishes that we haven’t had before. We order the Lamb Korma, Chicken Biryani with raita, a serving of basmati rice and a glass of wine each. The menu is extensive and there is a good range of dishes for everyone’s tastes. We already know their Butter Chicken, Chicken Chennai, Daal Makhani, Malai Kofta and Haryali Gosht are excellent. The creamy Lamb Korma was no exception. The flavour and sizeable chunks of lamb soaking in the curry went down a treat. The Chicken Biryani was bright in colour and full of spice, nearly to the point of overpowering. Yet when the freshly made raita is added, those overpowering spices become well-balanced and tasty.

Creamy Lamb Korma, Chicken Biryani and Raita served with Basmati rice

The wine list was quite small with only one option if you happen to be drinking white or red wine by the glass. They do allow their customers to bring your own (BYO) wines so bringing one from home could be a good option.

Kingz Restaurant gives you value for money. Their serving sizes are generous, with us taking home some of each meal as we could not eat it all. Mains prices range between AUD$10.90 for the vegetarian based dishes going up to AUD$25.90 for their Mixed Seafood Curry. They also offer two banquet options for AUD$30 and AUD$40 respectively. A big tick in my book are the staff who are extremely friendly and quick to take your order when you are ready. Their service continued to be attentive throughout the meal without hovering too much.

Overall Kingz Restaurant has massive potential because the food they offer is very good. They are already popular with the locals for takeaway and delivery. With Semaphore’s most popular time being summer, with just a couple of minor fixes I can see everybody lining up to experience their hospitality.

If you are staying in the city, the best way to get to Semaphore is by train. Catch the Outer Harbor train from the Adelaide train station to Glanville. Semaphore is just a short five minute walk down Semaphore Rd. If you happen to try this nice restaurant, tell them Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)

Decor = 6
Atmosphere = 6
Service = 8
Price = 9
Food = 8

Overall = 8

Australia, Events

There’s an Alpine Winter Village in Adelaide?

July 24, 2016 OurWorldinReview Leave a comment

If you happen to be in the city of Adelaide this week, make your way to the Alpine Winter Village. The village is located at the Torrens Parade grounds across the road from Elder Park and the Festival Theatre. I know what your thinking, Alpine? As in snow? But it doesn’t snow in Adelaide! Yet knowing that, during the month of July Adelaide sets up a winter village, full of food, drink and activities for the children. They have an ice skating rink, which is very popular so bookings are essential. I suggest going in early to book a time or book going online. While waiting head off and explore this beautiful city or settle into one of the bars or eateries.

The ice skating rink is open from 10:00am until 11:00pm daily and sessions are 45 minutes in length. Prices range from AUD$30.00 for a family of four to AUD$7.50 for a child aged between 2 and 15 years.

Other things available to entertain the children are face painting, camel rides and pony rides. For the shoppers there are a few small stalls selling their goods at reasonable prices.

Small stalls showing their good for sale

Some of Adelaide’s well known celebrity chefs like Ragini Dey, from the Naya restaurant on Waymouth Street offer us a good selection of foods. The Alpine villages meals range from AUD$10 – AUD$20. The couple of bars available to drink at aren’t very large so finding a seat inside may be an issue when they’re busy. They offer a good range of craft beers and local wines for you to try and provide some live music to keep you going into the night. So if you can’t get a seat inside don’t be too worried, because they have well positioned fire pits to keep you warm on those colder days and nights.

Depending on how open you are to the experience the Alpine Winter Village can be either a fun day out, or it could be a quick walk around and out again within half an hour. If you’re thinking of going to the Alpine Winter Village, then have a plan. So skate, take a camel ride, have something to eat or drink and make a day of it. Entry to the Alpine Winter village is free except for Friday and Saturday nights after 7:00pm, where you will need to pay a AUD$5 admittance fee.

Australia, Events

Winter Fork in the Port

July 17, 2016 OurWorldinReview Leave a comment

The Ourworldinreview team were out and about in Adelaide this weekend so we decided to check out the Winter Fork in the Port food extravaganza. The Winter Fork in the Port is a gathering of some of Adelaide’s finest gourmet food trucks, created by the good people associated with the Fork on the Road.

The Winter Fork in the Port was held at Port Adelaide’s historic Hart’s Mill, which over the years has held many markets, music and cultural events, like the popular St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Hart’s Mill is picturesquely situated alongside the developed Port River area, next to the Port Adelaide TAFE college. There is a cool grass picnic area and a large popular children playground, with climbing equipment and from what I’m told an awesome flying fox. So, if you’re looking for a lunch place, it would be an ideal area for a family day – you may even spot some of the local dolphins playing in the Port River as you eat.

Mobile gourmet food trucks aren’t new to Adelaide, as we once had a South Australian icon called the Great South Australian Pie Cart, which catered to the many “late night party enthusiasts” near the Adelaide Railway station. Since its initial demise in around 2010, there has been a mobile food truck resurgence, influenced by the popularity of gourmet trucks in the United States. To the city’s and party-goers delight, Adelaide has recently seen the resurrection of the Pie Cart on our city streets.

Walking around the area, I was encouraged to see the amount of food trucks available and the support from the number of visitors attending the event on this stunning day. After a quick survey of the gourmet trucks available we split off and headed towards our respective trucks.

Our first selection was by our resident vegetarian, and she decided to chose the AUD$12 Nachos wedges from the Fat Fork gourmet truck. The Nachos wedges contained good pieces of sweet potato and potato wedges, covered with a tomato, onion and coriander salsa, topped with grated cheese and sour cream. The serving size was quite big, and they tasted pretty good. The only negative was there probably wasn’t enough cheese in relation to the amount of wedges supplied.

Our second choice was the a Vietnamese roll, from the popular Tiger Rolls Banh Mi sandwich truck. We selected the crispy pork Vietnamese roll with salad and soft drink combo for AUD$10. Firstly the roll was very fresh, and the crispy outside coating combined with the fluffy texture of the bread was nice. The crispy pork, still had light crackling on top and was delicious, and the chilli gave it a kick to bring it all home. We also tried the large spring rolls with an sweet chilli dipping sauce, which were a filling accompaniment to the meal.

Crispy Pork roll with a spring roll side.

The third choice was from the popular Burger Theory gourmet food truck, and the choice from this truck was the Fried Chicken Sandwich meal combo with fries and a soft drink for AUD$17. There is not much to the sandwich, it is basically a free range chicken patty, topped with pickles and its special Burger Theory sauce.

Although the sandwich doesn’t visually grab you, the patty is crumb coated and succulent, the bun is soft and easy to work with and the special sauce has a BBQ tang to it. I can see why this basic burger is popular, but it if you compare it to other gourmet burgers available it really doesn’t stack up. If you like a plain burger this could be the choice for you. Burger Theory has a lot of potential and I look forward to trying out some of their other dishes as they continue to develop their menu.

Our fourth choice was really no choice. When you go to an event like this, the public help drive your decisions for you. On arrival we couldn’t help but notice the long line up for The Taste of Spain. Everyone wanted some of their Chicken and Chorizo Paella for AUD$12. We lined up for our serving too.

With the cooks creating this lovely paella right in front of your eyes, you can smell the flavours in the air. It is mesmerising and mouth watering. The colours of the fresh produce being cooked is fantastic, you can’t help being sucked into the line to try it. The Taste of Spain’s chicken and chorizo paella not only looks good it matches it in taste. The chicken and chorizo mixes well with the perfectly cooked rice and the nice blend of spices gives it a great taste and vibrant colour. We top it with the mayonnaise but forgo the chilli oil, and it is quickly consumed.

Once we finish our meals we headed back towards The Little Cake Tin dessert truck we spotted earlier. We chose The Sweet and The Salty for AUD$5, which is an almond based fresh vanilla bean cheesecake topped with salted caramel. The second selection was the S’Mores Shot also for AUD$5, which is a layer of chocolate cake, crumbled shortbread biscuit and couverture chocolate mousse topped with toasted meringue.

The Sweet and The Salty with the S'Mores Shot — The Sweet and The Salty alongside the S’Mores Shot

The relatively small desserts were the size of a shot glass, but were both greeted with glee and enthusiasm. Barely a word was muttered while these were eaten and there were still mentions of their deliciousness as we wandered back to our car. If you happen to see this little caravan in your travels at fairs or other events, do yourself a favour and indulge in their glorious cakes.

With more than twenty-five gourmet food and drink trucks we were not able to try something from every one of them, but if you happen to be coming to Adelaide take a look at the Fork in the Roads website (www.forkontheroad.com.au) to find details of their upcoming food events. Each one of the food trucks can also can be found on Facebook which will tell you their latest locations. Remember if you try them, mention Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)

Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)

Our world is an amazing place, so go out there and enjoy it!