This was published 5 years ago
Seven dishes you must try in Adelaide: Duncan Welgemoed, Africola
By Julietta Jameson
Afghan style rice, palaw (top right).
The best places to eat out in Adelaide according to South African restaurant Africola chef and owner Duncan Welgemoed.
OXTAIL BROTH, SAIGON GATE
It might not look like much from the outside but Saigon Gate in Kilburn serves a lip-smackingly delicious oxtail broth made with fresh fennel, celery and carrot. It's sweet and clean, unctuous and a must-eat for all who find themselves in the area. See saigongate.com.au
Paella at the markets.
PICKLED OCTOPUS, MEZE MAZI
Top tip at Meze Mazi in Prospect, ask for Andrew's personal stash of seafood – he serves the best pickled octopus I've ever eaten, plus the octopus is locally sourced in South Australia. The dish is served with a crisp mesclun salad and makes a perfect starter for a great meal. See mezemazi.com
PALAW, PARWANA KITCHEN
Chef Duncan Welgemoed.
I consider Parwana a 'second cousin' of Africola in the restaurant game. They serve the best Afghan-style rice, palaw, in two very different styles – both I could argue are the best palaw in the world. They continue to delight me time and time again. See parwana.com.au
PAELLA, COMIDA
Tucked away in the Adelaide Central Markets is a 'glamorous' stall called Comida. Chef Brad Sappenberghs' paella pulls in the punters day in, day out – best part is he uses all the produce from around him in the central markets to put the Spanish dish together. It's definitely one of South Australia's go-to dishes, topped off with a pile of rice, mussels, chicken and sausage. See comidacateringco.com
BREAKFAST MARTINI, HEY JUPITER
This French-inspired cafe in Adelaide's CBD has put together one of the best breakfast cocktails I've had in a long time – The Breakfast Martini. It's quite literally a boozy marmalade mouthful which makes one of five delicious morning sips, perfectly matched with a traditional feed from their brunch menu. See heyjupiter.com.au
STIR-FRIED GOOLWA PIPPIES AND FRIED SAVOURY CHINESE DOUGHNUTS, JOLLEY'S BOATHOUSE
Tony is one of SA's legendary chefs and for 20 years he has been producing some of the most delicious and consistent food offerings in Australia. He has now opened Jolley's Boathouse Restaurant on the banks of the River Torrens. If you're overwhelmed by the scrumptious and extensive selection of bites to choose from, I suggest the stir-fried Goolwa pippies from the entree menu served with a side of sourdough and mixed through tomato, fennel and parsley. Also,the fried savoury Chinese doughnuts were a highlight for me recently. See jolleysboathouse.com
CUSTARD TARTS, CITI ZEN
Perfection doesn't get any better than finishing a sitting of Yum Cha with a fresh, warm and crispy custard tart from Citi-zen. They've perfected the art of getting them not too sweet and not too eggy, as most are. Can't recommend more. See citizenrestaurant.com.au
South African-born Duncan Welgemoed sharpened his craft as a chef in the UK under Michael North at The Goose at Britwell Salome, which achieved a Michelin star during Welgemoed's tenure. Relocating to Adelaide, Welgemoed was one of the founders of the acclaimed Bistro Dom. His restaurant, Africola, continues to garner awards and accolades.
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