SA Blogger Q takes us on a getaway in her own backyard.
I watched the peak hour traffic oozing out of the CBD from the safety of my room on the 23rd floor and I silently slid into the realisation that tonight, I am not one of them.
The Adelaide Intercontinental towering over the west end of the train station, casino and festival theatre precinct is hard to miss, yet so much a part of the landscape that locals could be forgiven for never having ventured inside.
The entrance lobby walled and floored in a dark warm marble gives an illusion of dusk even during the early autumn sunlight, perfect if your stay will be leaning toward the romantic side. The rooms are designed with a chic neutral minimalist décor leading your eye to the spectacular views of the rolling Adelaide Hills from the windows facing East and South.
Nibbles at Club Lounge
The beds were power nap perfection and I took advantage of this, whilst waiting for the arrival of a friend. We preceded dinner with a visit to the Club Lounge. Cocktails and canapés are presented each evening prior to dinner in an inviting space with plush couches arranged to cater to small groups of guests staying in executive level rooms.
The entrance to Shiki, in the upper lobby of the hotel, leads you through a tranquil Japanese garden and you emerge into the bustle of the restaurant, with groups of seats arranged around the Teppan grills. The cooking and knife skills of the chefs’ is an experience in itself!
Practised gourmands and newbies alike would be well advised to choose one of the carefully selected set menus on offer as part of their traditional Japanese cuisine adventure. Highlights include kingfish sashimi, crisp prawn and vegetable tempura, grilled Moreton Bay bugs and a clear barramundi soup that delighted with its fresh delicate taste. This staggered approach to dining means each course can be savoured in its own right as well as serve as a tantalising introduction to the next.
Dinner at Shiki
Our evening was perfection and with a warm, full tummy I gladly roll into my hotel room’s deep bed.
A leisurely gourmet breakfast rounded off a fantastic inner city getaway and punctuated the culinary delights delivered by the Club Lounge and Shiki. If you, like me live in Adelaide, and have wandered past and never been inside, it’s time to visit the Adelaide Intercontinental to sample some of the best food our city has to offer. And if you’re from out of town I’d highly recommend the hotel as a great luxury, central stay with a superb dining experience.
