A charming new suburban restaurant has opened on Goodwood Road, and it is the perfect combination of casual dining and elevated Middle Eastern flavours.
Now open for dinner from Wednesday to Friday, and Saturday for a more casual lunch dining and dinner, Asha, is a modern oasis of moody tones and refined style. They have a focus on contemporary Australian dining fused with authentic Middle Eastern flavours, making this an authentic hideaway in Adelaide’s inner southern suburbs.
Asha is the latest creation from a team of hospitality experts, including Mel Holme, Scott Fox, Wilson and Isabelle Shawyer, and Stephen Tzanakis.
“Asha is a bit of an incarnation,” says Mel.
“We have worked in collaboration with Stephen, and Wilson and Isabelle from Good Gilbert. Scott and I are ex-restaurateurs from NSW. We sold our place in 2021 after 20 years and moved to Adelaide to semi-retire! Clearly that didn’t stick. Good Gilbert was one of the first places we went to dine, and we started chatting with Isabelle, and the idea for Asha came about.
“Scott started working at Good Gilbert causally, one day Wilson came to us and said we want to do another little place, a 30-seater, and was wondering if we wanted to come on board, we couldn’t say no.”
Asha has been a real team effort, and with this group at the helm, it’s sure to impress.
The quaint venue is filled with ambient lighting and alluring tones. A rich wooden herringbone floor is complemented by booth seating and a menu that matches perfectly.
The menu is where the Middle Eastern influence is most prominent. With a contemporary twist on traditional flavours, diners can select an indulgent 3-course or 4-course experience, with options to dine more casually at lunchtime.
“It’s Middle Eastern but done in a bit of a different way. It’s got the comforting flavours and spices you’re used to, but with that Australian influence,” Mel shares.
As Head Chef, Scott is drawing from his travels through the Middle East for inspiration, but more importantly, this style is what he’s always loved to cook.
“It’s Scott’s thing, he loves the spices and the flavours, it’s his jam. It was the direction Wilson and the team wanted to go in anyway, so it was a bit serendipitous.”
As for snacks and starters, Mel recommends the duck pastilla and the quail with a mulberry and black pepper molasses glaze and charred radicchio.
“The duck pastillia is amazing. It’s almost like confit duck spring rolls with a sweet almond dipping powder. The quail is also pretty gorgeous.”
Other must-trys are the celeriac starter and lamb rump main. Mel admits the “chook is a favourite” as well.
Asha’s menu is seasonal so as different things come into season, they’ll continue to switch it up.
Asha joins a vibrant lineup of venues on Goodwood Road and is of course only a few doors down from Good Gilbert. Make the most of a night out or elevate date night, and check out the brand new, and simply stunning, venue that is Asha.
Asha
Where: 135 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood SA 5034
When: 5pm Wednesday to Friday. Saturday from 12pm to late
Instagram: @asha.adl
For more information about Asha, click here.
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