The unassuming corner entrance to The Pangaea Kitchen opens into a warm, welcoming space decked out in earthy browns and a display wall of food quotes, aboriginal art, customer photos, and a map of the fabled Pangaea. The supercontinent of almost 300 million years ago was a single landmass from the time before Earth separated into different continents. It’s a symbol of unity and the reconnection of those continents to celebrate the cultures that now live on them.
The Pangaea Kitchen is a fusion of foods from around the globe, from Turkish kofta to American fries. It’s the passion project of three international chefs who own and run the restaurant, putting food and service before profits. This is evident in the friendly welcome, first rate service, and if time permits, visits to your table by the head chef himself.
Chef Aman Mattoo brings 17 years of experience to the table, having worked in 5-star hotels and resorts in Dubai, UAE. Trevor Fernandes boasts 20 years in hotel management, hospitality and as an Executive Chef in both the USA and UAE, while Brian Lemos’ 11+ years started in top international hotels like the Marriott Birmingham in the UK. These are heavy hitters with a wealth of knowledge and experience. And their food is exquisite.
If it’s a homely feast you want, the stone baked pizzas are some of the best you’ll find, served on a thin crust that lets the toppings speak for themselves. The Pangaea Feast is a sensational combination of meats, mushrooms, olives and more, while the Truffle & Porcini Mushroom pizza is vegetarian heaven as it melts in your mouth and leaves a smooth, creamy aftertaste to savour.
The Mozzarella & Pesto Arancini Balls are savoury but subtle, served in a nap sauce with stringy cheese just for fun, unlike the Chargrilled Chicken Satay skewers that bite back courtesy of some Indonesian spices.
On the main menu, the Dynamite Wasabi Prawns aren’t the challenge you’d expect. These crispy prawns are lightly coated for flavour and are easily devoured without clearing your sinuses. From across the pond, the divine Middle Eastern Chargrilled Kofta Balls bring a taste of Turkey, served with flat bread, hummus, garlic sauce, tzatziki and salad, while the authentic Butter Chicken is distinctly different from the usual Indian dish served at other restaurants. You’ll never go back to westernised Butter Chicken again.
Every dish is memorable and reasonably priced. Mains range from $19.90 to $37.90, pizzas from $19.90 to just $22.90. Salads, schnitzels, pasta, rice dishes, burgers, curries, and slow-cooked ribs round out the varied menu that seems designed to suit all tastes. As an aside, the menu includes country flags to signify the origin of each dish, adding to the ethos of bringing people together.
The dessert selection is small but dangerously good. Both the Chocolate Ooze Cake and Sticky Date Pudding are served warm, with ice cream, They leave one craving for more, especially being priced at less than $12 each. Sundaes and waffles complete the current dessert menu.
For those in the north-eastern metropolitan area, The Pangaea Kitchen offers home delivery through the usual services. For the best experience though, dine in at 73 Muller Rd, Hampstead Gardens. The restaurant offers its own car park and plenty of street parking. Book ahead of time.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
The Pangaea Kitchen
73 Muller Rd, Hampstead Gardens SA 5086
Phone: (08) 7080 9936
Website: https://thepangaeakitchenonline.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepangaeakitchen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepangaeakitchen
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