Ask the chef
Cookbook author, MasterChef alumni and co-owner of restaurant Nido Laura Sharrad gives us a taste of Adelaide.
Where would you take someone on their first night in Adelaide?
To Maybe Mae (maybemae.com) for a drink then to my favourite Thai place in the city, Soi 38 (soi38.com.au), for dinner. It does very good pan-fried chive cakes that are crisp on one side and chewy on the other, served with black vinegar chilli dressing.
Where do you go for after-work drinks?
2KW (2kwbar.com.au) – it has an amazing wine list and does classic cocktails well but it’s really about the view of North Terrace and the parklands. Or
Udaberri (udaberri.com.au), which does great late-night snacks and cocktails.
How about Sunday brunch?
I’m basic with brunch – I like smashed avo, salmon and local cheese on sourdough – and go to a cute place near my house,
Queen Street Cafe (12 Elizabeth Street, Croydon; 0424 099 592).
Hey Jupiter (heyjupiter.com.au) does a fun champagne brunch.
What’s your favourite stall at Adelaide Central Market?
The Asian Green Grocer in the middle of the market (adelaide centralmarket.com.au) sells wonderful Asian herbs. It’s cheap and very high quality.
Marino Meat & Food Store also does exceptional produce – meats and smallgoods, fresh pastas, all the Italian deli things.
Where would you go for a staycation?
The Mayfair Hotel (mayfair hotel.com.au) on King William Street is luxurious, set in an old building but modern inside. And the new Eos by SkyCity (skycityadelaide.com.au) on Festival Drive looks incredible.
Favourite vineyard?
Petaluma (petaluma.com.au) in Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. I’m a fan of chardonnay and it makes some of the best.
If you could only have one wine in your cellar, which would it be?
The Swaby chardonnay by BK
Wines (bkwines.com.au). If you can get the Swaby – it sells out quickly – you’re in for a treat.
Best regional restaurant in SA?
Casa Carboni (casacarboni.com. au) at Angaston in the Barossa Valley. It’s an Italian eatery run by a husband and wife. They do cooking classes on weekends, delicious baked goods for brekkie and the lunches are so good you won’t leave until evening.
What’s the best seat in your restaurant?
At the kitchen bar because you get to watch the boys bicker all night. It’s like having dinner and a show (nidobarpasta.com.au).