As the seasons change, so do the menus being served up in restaurants across our beautiful state! And with our love for food here at Glam Adelaide, it only seemed right that we try out some of the new menus on offer… All in the name of research! So we kicked it all off with the new Autumn menu at Altar Bistro, a stunning venue set in historic Willunga. Our resident Fleurieu Region foodie, Lisa Cahill of ‘A Fleurieu Affair’ (see her Instagram here) got the mouthwatering task and you can read her experience below…
One cool sunny Sunday afternoon seemed the perfect time to give this gorgeous restaurant a go! Set in an old church (hence the name) in historic Willunga town, the Altar has all the makings of a classic European Bistro. The building has been well maintained to hold its original charm with polished floor boards, stone walls, chandelier lighting, and crisp white linen tablecloths.
After spending years in some of England’s best restaurants, preparing delicate, fiddly and minimalistic dishes, the owner and head chef Shane decided it was time to feed the people! Hallelujah!
Whilst maintaining modern skilful techniques and a beautiful presentation, the Altar Bistro manages to serve up inventive and exciting flavours, whilst giving generous servings that will keep the men happy, and offer great value for money.
Sharing is encouraged, and with this in mind, we were able to select a great variety of dishes to graze our way through, right up to the amazing desserts.
We started with a “Flat Bread” topped with basil pesto, crispy kipfler potatoes and baby bocconcini, served with a rocket and parmesan salad. Simple, tasty, and a great way to get the tastebuds going.
Next was a pork belly entrée, served with apple foam, beetroot puree, apple remoulade, beetroot crisps, roasted beetroots and pea shoot tendrils. The pork belly was well cooked, and not too fatty. Just the way I like it. Every texture you could think of was on the plate, which made for interesting eating.
For mains we shared the perfectly pink pan-seared duck breast. It had savoury, sweet, and sour elements. Served with Rhubarb puree, potato, spiced red cabbage, vanilla apples and jus. We then devoured my favourite savoury dish for the day; the pasta. House-made, truffled mushroom puree tortellini, served with wilted spinach, candied walnuts, gorgonzola cream and a cauliflower puree. This was amazing. Whilst it was rich, I couldn’t get enough, and it was visually stunning.
For dessert we indulged in a deeeeeeeelicous coffee crème brulee, served with a chocolate crackle, chocolate mousse and fresh strawberries. Classic flavour combinations, but so well done! The coffee crème was silky smooth, with the contrasting crunchy top, and the chocolate mousse with fresh strawberry cut through nicely. I loved it, and just wanted more!
Just to top it off, was a mango and passionfruit parfait, served with fresh raspberries and coulis. Perfection in a mouthful. Fruity, cool, and super refreshing at the end of a long, rich lunch. (I need the recipe!).
Especially with the cooler weather coming, the Altar Bistro makes for a warm and cozy setting to enjoy a long lunch, or for something really special, a candle-lit dinner. Check out their website and social media for more!