The Little Eastern

We are actually quite spoilt for choice in terms of options for cafe. Yes, there are plenty more in Melbourne tucked in their secret little laneways, but us Adelaideans know a thing or two about coffee and breakfast too. 

A recent visit with "Long White" to The Little Eastern in St. Morris just proves that point - thanks for the recommendation "Running Mum".

The Little Eastern is located on Magill Road right beside Chilli Mojo. Some of you may remember the old location of Burger Foundry - yes there has been definitely a major makeover since! Parking is available either on the street or tucked away behind the shops.

It is a small little shop, but the layout is very funky and chilled. The potted plants and the brown paper make it almost "hip-sterish", however the paper has a dual function - there are crayons available so that the little ones are kept busy and distracted so that you can catch up with friends! Coffee is good too of course (yes that is the point of the review...).

There is actually quite a different selection of dishes available, depending on if you feel more like breakfast, brunch, or lunch! As we headed there close to lunchtime however not having had breakfast yet, we thought it was most appropriate that we had brunch! It was a rather warm day so I decided not to have anything too heavy. "Long white" ended up ordering poached eggs and mushrooms (done perfectly), whilst I ended up getting the Lebanese breakfast (as recommended by staff) - I love it as it was fresh and light, yet satisfying. The bread was toasted just perfectly (not overly crispy) and the sausages were just so tasty with the scrambled eggs. Himalayan salt and cracked pepper are also available if more seasoning is required. 

Don't despair if it is a hot day, as there is also a small selection of juices and cold drinks available. I did end up trying the breakfast smoothie which consisted of muesli, banana, yoghurt, honey and milk - it wasn't as thick as I expected, but it was very nice (and filling as well). And if you have a sweet tooth like me, there is also a big selection of cakes and treats available. We tried the white chocolate and berries brownie (lots of gluten free sweets are available so perfect for coeliacs!) and it was absolutely delicious ~ it was heated up slightly and very moist (incredible!), and because we were sharing, they even divided it into 2 plates for us (now that is service!). 

After this experience, I dare say that I will definitely be back. The staff were all so friendly and nice. Highly recommended especially if you want to catch up with a few friends, or even if you just want some alone time and have breakfast for one!

Enjoy ~ Spooner.

Hoosegow

When I was first introduced to Hoosegow, I had to ask my friend to repeat the name approximately five times by saying "hoose-a-what" and then having it spelled out slowly; in Latin American, it is a slang term for prison. In terms of food genre, it is a fusion of Latin American and Asian (exciting combination) - what I would be expecting here are lots of charred flavours, as well as sweet and spicy mixtures from the Asian influences.  Located in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, this makes it a perfect location to unwind and catch up with friends and family without the hassle of worrying about parking! As a side note: due to recent requests from fellow readers, I will definitely attempt to load more photos of the restaurant layout when writing reviews!

The dark brown-black hues of the walls, contrasting with orange, pink and reds does seem to work for this place. Upon entrance, you are greeted with nice waiting staff (and pretty funky lights hanging). To the right of the restaurant is where the bar (and kitchen) is situated - the wine rack is definitely a stand-out feature of the bar. The layout of Hoosegow is unique - depending on your mood, you can sit right outside at the front for a nice beve on a sunny day, or if you're feeling a bit more secretive yet wanting to enjoy the sunlight, there's the option of the front part where the windows can be opened really wide; for a more formal dining experience, this would be the centre of the restaurant (there are also areas right at the back if you need to get down to real business). 

Like I've mentioned in other posts, the waiting staff in the newer types of restaurants are limited - however they seem to be good in their job. In terms of drinks, there is a cocktail menu along with a wine menu (decent menus, nothing too extensive). In terms of cocktail recommendations, the "hoose passion" is definitely the one to try as it features passionfruit with elderflower liqueur and gin (served in a tall highball glass as pictured below). If you are a fan of amoretto, then the "amoretto sour" is the one for you - simple ingredients, with lime to create the acidity. The cocktail pricelist is not exactly cheap, however the flavour combinations are worth the amount. Also pictured below is the "laurel & hardy"which features blueberries and strawberries (bringing out the colour of the cocktail), malibu, lime and vodka as the spirit.

Bread is served right at the start. What I do like is the different breads - the pumpkin bread with the herbs and spices is really tasty. For starters, the chilli squid with the green salad and citrus dressing is delightful; the chargrilled flavour of the squid with the spicy kick of chilli, relaxed with the citrus flavours make this a very nice dish. The eggplant rolls with a delicious salsa in the middle also makes it another dish to definitely try (not forgetting to mention the beautiful vibrant colours).

If you are not a big meat eater, do not despair as there are dishes which are full of flavours suitable for you. The mushrooms are a good size (and described very well by DT - meaty and delicious!), topped with goats cheese and fresh herbs. The fish dish features a nice piece of barramundi with tahini and roasted almonds (very nice and simple dish). The feature dish of the night however was the meat plate for two (really could possibly feed two to four!) which includes: the hoosegow signature chilli chicken, lamb backstrap, pork ribs, eye fillet and chorizo. The colours on that dish is so vibrant and beautiful that it is definitely a masterpiece. Not only are the colours fantastic, the flavours match as well. The jalapeño aioli and spicy tomato relish only complements and heightens the flavours of the meats. Pictured below are also the sides of brocollini (with tahini dressing) and roasted beetroot salad (rocket with yoghurt dressing - big approval from Mr. T).

Dinner is of course not complete without dessert. There aren't too many to choose from, but that often  means spectacular endings. The pear tart tatin does need preparation time of at least 20 minutes but this is definitely worth the wait: the stickiness and sweetness of the liquid toffee from the pear turning into shards as it contacts your mouth makes it a fantastic way to finish off the night. The chocolate blackberry tart is also another delicious option (with surprising chocolate popping candy scattered on the tart) - I personally would have liked a bit more blackberries and actual tartness (acidity) in the tart as well. The afahoosegow (playful manner with their title selections) is their signature affogato with chocolate ice-cream, espresso and liqueur consisting of grand marnier and cointreau - the biscotti is really delicious too (with orange rind baked into the biscotti). The cheese plate for two is once again a colourful arrangement consisting of fruits, bread and cheeses.

Overall this has been an enjoyable experience and I daresay that a return here is inevitable - there are still so many dishes to try so no doubt there will be another review on Hoosegow.

Happy spooning,

Spooner.