Ruby Red Flamingo

Ruby Red Flamingo has been on my list for years.  I think.  I’m not sure how long it’s been open but it feels like it’s been beckoning to me for far too long.  Now that we’ve been there, that silent subtle beckoning has turned into a full blown stalker-like yelling.  I think about it all the time, and I’m telling you, it wants to me to go back.  Actually, maybe I’m the one with the stalker vibes.  

If you know me, you probably know how much I love Golden Boy, and suggest it for any birthday, anniversary, Friday, Saturday… any day.  Thankfully, Golden Boy and RRF are at different ends of the date night world, otherwise there would be some stiff competition.  Golden Boy is the forever fun friend who shouts for more food, shots, conversations, and is generally a wild clang of activity (in the best way imaginable), RRF is a warm, strong embrace on a cold night that just wants to hold you.  It is the perfect date night destination.

I’m glad we saved RRF for a celebratory date night, because it gave us an excuse to go all out.  What’s wrong with 2 serves of bread, 2 entrees and 3 mains between 2 people?  Nothing.  We did go to the bakery afterwards though, so I will accept some judgement on that.

It filled up about 20 minutes after this - we were there as soon as it opened!

We started with the Manzo Tonnato which was thinly sliced scotch fillet with tuna sauce and little hidden tuna nuggets.  This was 100% out of my comfort zone, and tasted 100% like tuna.  I’m glad I gave it a go, but it just wasn’t my thing.  If you’re a big tuna fan, this one is for you.  Contrary to that, Paul isn’t much of a tuna eater, and he absolutely loved this dish.  So basically, surprise yourself. 

We obviously had to get a pasta, and we finally decided on the Cappellacci, which is a tumeric infused pasta filled with spinach, pumpkin, gorgonzola with leek veloute sauce and a touch of sticky balsamic (I’m reading this from their website - as if I could remember that without cheating).  It tasted like heaven.  It was the most melt in your mouth plate of incredible that I’d ever eaten and I had to genuinely hold myself back from picking up the plate and licking it.  It was at this point that they bought us more bread because they could see us desperately scraping up all the sauce.  I wasn’t even embarrassed.  If you could eat a melody I’m pretty sure that’s what this would taste like. 

The second main I unfortunately couldn’t find a technical description of, but it was a saffron veal osso bucco risotto.  I’m a sucker for a rice dish, and this did not disappoint.  The only disappointing thing about it was that I had to share it.  Paul and I were subtly trying to scrape more and more onto our own plates, and it very nearly turned into a firm discussion about who chose the risotto and therefore should get more of it.  A bullshit argument, but it was desperate times.  I went full Nigella eating this dish, and while I’m ready to string together very suggestive sentences of how this food made me feel, I won’t, because it might make people uncomfortable.

In saying all that about both of these meals, as amazing as they were, they were equally as rich.  I’m glad we went halves in both because I don’t know that I could eat a whole plate of just one.  It  worked out perfect for us because I always end up looking longingly at Paul’s meal until he lets me eat some, so this way I didn’t have to bother making eyes, I could just go right along and take it. 

I mentioned three mains.  The third dish was slow cooked beef cheeks.  Now, I’m not really a fan of beef cheek because it’s flavour is so strong and just down right meaty, but I feel like if you were a fan you’d go to town on these.  Paul hadn't tried them before and figured that if he was going to try them, this would be the place to do it.  They were fall off the fork kind of tender and everything that you would want in a cut of meat like that.  I assume.

All in all, Ruby Red Flamingo is now the equal love of my life with Golden Boy.  Paul understands that he comes a very close third.  I know he understands because on Valentine’s Day he went to the O’Connell Street bakery and got me my favourite baked goods, because what better to say I love you than with tasty treats?  Which is the exact reason you should be at Ruby Red, now. 

 

Chuck Wagon

With Adelaide’s heavy burger scene, and with what feels like endless options, Chuck Wagon definitely stands out, not only for the Americana food but the distinct look it’s created for itself.  Even before you walk in, your eyes are treated to a barrage of superhero/fandom statues, drawings, pictures and posters from the ground to the ceiling, literally.  As well as coming for food and/or a hefty milkshake, there are sights to behold.  I didn't take photos so you'll have to go look for yourselves... or google it.

In truth, we’ve been to Chuck Wagon a few times, and by we, I mean I had been once before and Paul has to hold himself back from going every week.  Paul has a friend who got him (us, totally us) a voucher for Chuck Wagon and needing no convincing, we were on our way (thanks Amanda!).  

The menu is so vast I was in a daze when it came to order.  Last time I was in this situation I had people to guide me through it.  And it’s easy when you know what you feel like, but seriously, 18 burgers to choose from, or wings, hot dogs, pizza fries, nachos, sides or how about one of their 11 different desserts on offer?  I mean come ON.  I am so indecisive with food, my FOMO is real.

The onion rings were obviously a goer, there was no question on that one.  I had already checked them out on Instagram and they looked all kinds of deep fried crunchy.  And Paul’s go to is sweet potato fries, so sides were sorted before we even got there.  I thought I was going to get the royale with cheese, I was sure of it, pretty much until we ordered and then out of my mouth came grilled cajun chicken.  Paul was having withdrawals from his favourite and ordered the Piglet.

The onion rings - guys - they are the best flipping rings I’ve had.  They’re not battered, but crumbed.  Delicious and crispy and just URGH perfect.  I swear they double coat them or double fry.  There’s some kind of extra trick to their trade.  Sweet potato fries also delicious.  But the onion rings.  Cake taken.  

These burgers were huge.  I was stuck in a mess because my burger was SO juicy that I wanted to put it down to clean up my covered hands, but because I had two hands-ed it everything dripped and the plate was literally wet, I thought I was going to look up and see some kids eating corn on the roof.  I would seriously consider asking for a side plate next time, one to eat over and one to put the burger down on when you need a time out.  

While the taste factor was incredible, I won’t lie, these aren’t my favourite burgers.  They were big, messy, and the bun went soggy.  I prefer that kind of smaller, less is more type that is going around at places like Nordburger and Burger Boss, but the Chuck Wagon burgers are the ones for Paul.  I will definitely go back to Chuck Wagon to try some of the pizza fries on offer, or the mac and cheese (with bacon) or even some ribs. 

Exciting news though - I’ve created my perfect trifecta.  Chuck Wagon onion rings, Nordburger burger, and Burger Boss special fries.  Now if these guys could get together and either open a shop together or open some near each other so I can collect my goods without the others getting cold, that would really help a gal out.  

 

Lucky Lupitas

News that devastated southern Adelaide, particularly Flinders Uni students (from what I hear) was the same news that made my stomach sing.  Lucky Lupitas was coming to my end of town, albeit, for a limited time only.  I’d heard of this place time and time again, so when those mexican delights were dangled in my reach, we hot footed our way there.  

Their temporary restaurant is on O’Connell street, but as soon as you walk through that door you could not be taken further away.  They’ve gone for the warehouse feel and have nailed it.  From the high beamed ceiling, to the ply wood tables and benches, right down to the copious stocks of tomatoes, tequila and beer on the restaurant floor.  It was a very different look and vibe from any other place I had been on O’Connell and I loved it.

Recently I saw a movie that immediately became my all-time favourite.  It’s called Chef, and it was the most upbeat, feel good, food porn frenzy of a movie I have ever seen.  It’s filled with a build up and background of cuban music that just makes you want to move.  It was also filled with food.  So much food.  Two days later I walked into Lucky Lupitas and they were playing tunes so similar that I didn’t stand a chance, I was smitten.  All the feelings that incredible film gave me transferred to this restaurant that I had been waiting for.

The Elote (grilled corn on the cob) was hands down the best damn corn I have ever had.  All warm and grilled to perfection, covered in cheese, maaaaaan.  I took one bite and pretty sure I blacked out for a second, because all of a sudden it was all gone.  If we hadn’t already ordered a stack of other food I would have asked for more.

We then went for the taco de pollo (slow cooked chicken and slaw) and taco de carne (braised beef).  These we shared, but I liked the beef better and Paul preferred the chicken, so it ended up more of a 70-30 split for each.  Which by the way, is a really difficult split to do when you’ve been handing back and forth packed to the brim, juicy tacos.  If anyone knows of a “clean” way to eat tacos, could you please let me know?  Because I ended up with a fallen apart taco all over my plate/the table, and my hands covered in juices (yes, I read that sentence, and yes, I’m sticking by it because I can’t think of another way to describe it).  

taco de pollo

taco de carne

I had heard of many a great burger here, which was intriguing.  It made me wonder what a mexican burger tastes like?  I was expecting a tex mex kind of thing with maybe corn chips and guac or something on there, like when you order a mexican schnitzel, but this burger had a bit of chilli powder, a bit of cumin, and a whole lot of something else that I couldn’t be more specific about.  It was really tasty, but not my kind of personal taste.  Whatever, it was half a burger and you know damn well I ate my whole half.  

Last but certainly not least was the quesadilla de hongo y frijoles.  That’s basically a mushroom quesadilla for those of you playing at home.  Unluckily for us, it was the last thing to come out so I was absolutely stuffed by the time we got to it.  I ate it, obviously, but it was a bit of a struggle.  Mushrooms are kind of a new thing for me, I’ve only introduced them to my stomach in the last 6 months or so.  Just one of those things that as a kid I hated and never gave them another go… but I’m glad I changed my tune.  Like everything else that Lucky Lupitas provided, the quesadilla was so full of flavour!  Every bite you could taste everything together and everything individually too.  The jalapenos in it proved a little much for me, my mouth was on fire, but like a superstar I pushed through.  10/10 would eat again.

Aside from the food, the service was stellar.  Our waiter seemed genuinely happy to have a chat with us, and all the staff were attentive.  To top it all off, it was incredibly priced.  We had all food mentioned, plus some rice and a drink each for $62.  For me, it without doubt lived up to the hype.