5 Places
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Anita’s 5-star review: It was a stinking hot day, 2pm, without lunch in my belly and I was getting really hangry. Using my trusty Yelp App and monocle function (check it out if you haven't already), I looked around to see what options I had for lunch. Ah ha! Japanese, oh yes the only cuisine that shall not only satisfy, but also work well with the heat. There were smashing reviews of EN Izakaya Japanese Bar & Restaurant. So I could not say no. The front of the store is a little misleading, because when you step through it is a really lovely designed restaurant. What I love about Japanese restaurants and cuisine is the attention to detail and great customer services. EN Japanese have laid out the restaurant in a wonderful way sectioning off an area for groups and an intimate back bar section. Oh, and what a bar! The bar top is one long single cut slice of red gum. So gorgeous! Also, to my surprise it features some acrylic resin in a hole in the wood with opals and rocks set into it. Again, there is your attention to detail. The menu is expensive, many options inclusive of traditional Japanese dishes and modern twists. But, I knew what I wanted before I even walked through the doors. Sashimi and seaweed salad with ice cold green tea. And like any good Japanese restaurant, it was on the menu and very affordable. My dishes presentation was beautiful. Wasabi was high quality and placed carefully on top of a leaf. All seafood was brilliantly fresh and cut in well measured slices. The seaweed salad was also fresh and well portioned. As for the staff, well I was very fortunate enough to have a chat to he chef and was looked after very well by the waiter. They both were super friendly and happy to talk about their restaurant. Lovely experience just for a quick lunch. I will be back with others! -
Anita’s 5-star review: So, I am not one of those typical macho chilli fiends that are out there. You know the ones. Doesn't everyone have one friend who thinks they can out chilli everyone? They eat a super hot bum burning chilli sauce on everything, sweat it out and skull a glass of milk afterwards. No sir, not for me. However, I do love chilli. I love enough chilli to still enjoy flavour. My partner is a chilli fiend and demands access to a good selection of sauces at home. I also am going through a buffalo wings stage; This brings me to Chile Mojo. Chilli fiends are like a moth to a flame for this store. It is truly amazing. I have never seen such an awesome selection of sauces, spices, jams, salsas, chilli merch, etc, etc.. The best part about this store is the amazing storeowner. He is so passionate about his store and spreading the chilli love. Last time I went into this store I was looking for a authentic buffalo wing chilli sauce. I got into an in-depth conversation with the storeowner about the best sauce to choose and how to cook the best wings. Then he said, "in fact, I have an amazing authentic southern buffalo wing recipe I can share with you". What? Giving your recipe secrets away? No, he doesn't mind. He just loves his customers that much! He pointed me to Franks Hot Sauce, printed out the recipe and told me to enjoy. And boy did I ever! This buffalo wings recipe kicks butt! This store is such a gem, and I love to support stores like this that care so much about what they are sharing with the community. So next time you are thinking about buying anything to do with chilli, Mexican or spices; skip to supermarket and go to Chile Mojo! -
Anita’s 5-star review: I am never disappointed when I dine at Wasai. But, I know I have to book a table in advance as this Japanese restaurant is truly a local treasure and very popular. If you want quality Japanese and great value for money, this is the restaurant for you. Every time I go there I sample many items on the menu I am always shocked at the bill, it is very well priced! As for the best items on the menu, well it depends on what you are into. I am a huge fan of sashimi and aburi salmon, and they make both really well. Being located close to the Adelaide Central Market I think really impacts on the freshness of the fish and dishes. The sashimi is cut with great precision, not to thick or thin. Go for the sashimi boat if you want a wide selection, it is really well presented, good for groups and great value for money. If this is first time to Wasai I should probably tell you to order a boat. It is a great way to sample the menu, also you will probably get jealous when you see them delivered to other tables. Save yourself the trouble in choosing what to eat. Then fine tune your choices later, as I will guarantee you will be back. Last thing to mention is the karaage chicken. You must try the Wasai version if you like this dish. It is a lot lighter than other versions, almost like a tempura batter but with the flavoursome karaage seasonings. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to a little JFC. -
Anita’s 5-star review: Bipimbap, bipimbap, bipimbap! Did someone say fresh salmon bipimbap? Yes please! I had no idea how amazing this dish is. I love korean food, but for some reason I have never tried a bipimbap. What is a bipimbap you say? Well, it is like a sushi salad without the nori. I guess it is like the Korean version of sushi? So, you have lettuce, sushi rice, cucumber, a hard-boiled egg, fresh salmon (and other options if you wish on the menu), kewpie mayo and chilli sauce. I mentioned to the lovely lady running the store that this was my first bipimbap and was really excited. And what did she do? When my serve was ready she jumped over to my table and showed me how to eat it properly. The idea is to have it mixed properly so the sauces and ingredients are mixed thoroughly. She even mixed it for me! How sweet! She was really excited to see what I thought. I could totally live on this meal. Even though it has Kewpie mayo in it, it is surprisingly light. Maybe it is the addition of the lettuce that freshens it up. I actually love it so much that if I am ever in the area again, I will stop to get one. As for the rest of the menu, the sushi is really fresh and made just before lunch trade. It is rolled in plastic to keep the nori from drying out. This is what a lot of other sushi stores need to learn. So when you eat the sushi the nori is not chewy. The service at this store is really friendly and cheerful. Every time I have been here the owners have been so happy and helpful. It is super busy too, so you might want to get there early if you want a seat for lunch. I know it is out of the way for most, but if you are near Winston Avenue or Goodwood road it is worth stopping by.
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Anita’s 4-star review: Now, I am not really one to review chains. But, after my experience here I feel like I should vouch. There are quite a few Sushi Trains in Adelaide now, and if you are a customer of theirs you will know that some are better than others. I have also found that some of their menus differ as well. So what you might find in one store, you might not find in another. As for this Sushi Train, well I am happy I live close to it. This is probably the freshest sushi I have had through the franchise. The sashimi fish is a great colour, texture and smell. The sushi variety is great. They get really busy in the afternoons, so that means that they turn over their stock quickly. Salmon Amburi was great and so was the miso. The service here is very friendly and fast. So, if you want to order something from the menu be sure to ask! You will not need to wait long. Be sure to remember that Sushi Train is not complicated high quality sushi. More like simple, quick and easy! But always tasty!
