SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Fino Vino
Opened December 2019
Who David Swain (executive chef and co-owner), Sharon Romeo (co-owner) Vibe A taste of wine country in the city.
Verdict An open kitchen hums with focused energy to deliver a compact menu that places emphasis on seasonal freshness. The bar is busy, stocked with an intelligent wine collection spanning a broad church of regions, flavours and textures. Informed staff suggest appropriate combinations of dishes best shared, from luscious pork cutlet with celeriac purée and toasted quinoa to a winning bowl of braised king mushrooms with riced potatoes. Spare some room for dessert. With food this consistently good, the temptation is to keep grazing.
82 Flinders St, Adelaide, (08) 8232 7919, finovino.net.au
ShoSho
Opened July 2020
Who Adam Liston (chef and co-owner), Simon Kardachi (co-owner) Vibe A fun, flirty snack attack of Japanese flavours.
Verdict The fun-loving little sister to Leigh Street’s celebrated Shobosho, ShoSho focuses unapologetically on tempura, while keeping things fresh and light. The menu brings a smile before the dishes arrive; think shallot pancake with Laughing Cow cheese; scallops and crunchy potatoes for snacks; and tempura whiting with a wasabi tartare sauce. A tempura lattice of scallop, prawn and kohlrabi kakiage is a highlight, best eaten immediately after you’ve poured over hot dashi. A solid wine list sits alongside Japanese liqueurs (umeshu and yuzushu), sake and cocktails.
164 King William Rd, Hyde Park, (08) 8349 0891, shosho.com.au