The Pickled Duck

A popular restaurant and bar overlooking Civic Park, The Pickled Duck is a must for the penny-pinching university student. Located just across the road from Westfield’s Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre, The Duck is one of the area’s newest family-friendly foody attractions in Modbury.

Open from 9am on weekends and 9:30am Monday to Friday, it is already a popular venue for casual dining or small informal functions.

I went there for a feed and caught up with Spencer Loughry, an apprentice chef who has been with The Duck since it opened in January of 2016 to tell us a little about himself and his business. With menu prices that can be compared with competing gourmet burger joints around Adelaide, he is certainly worth a visit!

Whether you’re after one of their delicious 9 or 12 inch gourmet pizzas, grass-fed beef burgers, filling salads, or a loaded dessert for those with a sweet tooth, The Pickled Duck has something to fit your bill! For those with eating preferences or allergies, vegan and gluten free options are available.

For the pizza connoisseur, their rustic style pizzas range from the traditional ham and pineapple to more inspired, bolder flavours.

A traditional burger lover? Spencer recommends the Tropico chicken or the Americana as notable options; if you’re more adventurous, the Pulled Pork or the Middle Eastern Lamb burgers are groovy alternatives.

The Duck also caters for the little ones with their “Ducklings” menu; with cheeseburgers, little beef burgers and sliders, chicken nuggets and hotdogs all served with chippies will surely keep the kids happy and quiet!

While they do only serve breakfast on weekends and public holidays, they provide a sumptuous sweet or savoury spread. For the hungriest of diners, the Big Duck Breakfast or the Spanish Egg are both something a little different, or for those with a sweet tooth, the Belgian Waffles are bound to excite.

However, if you’re more in the mood for a drink in the sun, take advantage of their extensive wine cellar. Showcasing a superior collection of world renowned and Australian wines, as well as a unique selection of craft beers, ciders, and premium spirits sourced from local Australian microbreweries and distilleries, there is surely something to suit your palate. Check out the blackboard in the restaurant for their wine tasting sessions!

The Duck does not take reservations and does get busy during regular meal times, but with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, just wing it.

If you’re looking for more information on The Duck, or want to check out some more of Spencer’s exploits, check out our interview here: https://youtu.be/Uat1piJS-qA , at 993 North East Road, Modbury; or on www.thepickledduck.com.au.

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Coffylosophy

Opened in 2014, Coffylosophy has dominated the East End coffee scene since its establishment. A venue that will delight and surprise, it is currently the top café in Adelaide listed on Beanhunter.

Located on Hutt Street in a hole in the wall, it is a friendly boutique coffee shop with a small but well thought out and executed menu, as well as delicious internationally sourced coffee from Veneziano coffee roasters. If you get the opportunity try their cold-drip coffee for $6, it’s out of this world and by far their best seller.

Their all-day-meals, breakfast, sandwiches, salads and burgers are sure to deliver, and with gluten or dairy-free and vegan options, and the ability to eat in or take-away, nobody goes home hungry.

While they don’t provide any set daily specials, they do once-off weekly specials. Check out their board out front or their display fridge for information regarding these. When I went I got a chicken Caesar wrap for $9 (usually $14). Otherwise, their menu is very reasonable.

If you want a cup of Adelaide’s best coffee or to visit them, check them out at 198A Hutt Street. They’re open Monday to Friday from 7am-6pm, and 7:30am-5:30pm Saturday and Sunday; however, they may close early on weekends if they’re not too busy, so get in early! They also have a website providing a great run-down of their business and ethics: www.coffylosophy.com.au

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Adelaide’s Balcony Bar

The Blue Galah Backpackers Hostel on King William Street holds a secret. Walk up a nondescript stairway and through the hostel itself, and you find yourself at Adelaide’s Balcony Bar; making it equally difficult to find yet equally rewarding to enjoy.

Open from 4 Tuesday through Saturday, The Balcony Bar is an excellent place to decompress after work, or “compress” before a big night out at one of Adelaide’s larger pubs or clubs.

However, it is worth sticking around. One of the aspects that makes the venue so special is the attached Hostel, providing the opportunity to meet new friendly faces from different countries, creeds, and backgrounds.

There are specials running throughout the week, but their base prices are already pretty bloody cheap. Any day during the week, and this is not during happy hour, one can enjoy $5 base spirits and house wines, and $6 beer and cider on tap. They also offer $2 cheese toasties if you’re feeling peckish.

If you’re a bit strapped for cash, grab some mates and come on up. They’re at 62 King William Street, and well worth the visit. Cheap drinks, friendly people and a great atmosphere? Yeah!

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The General Havelock

The General Havelock, located on leafy Hutt Street, has fast become one of Adelaide’s go-to pubs. Founded in 1873, the charming pub caters for all demographics with its delicious and simple pub grub as well as its international cuisine.

Located in the prime East End of Adelaide, it holds a family restaurant and separate club and dancing areas, as well as two separate function rooms and an extensive range of local and international beverages.

Opening daily from 12pm midday for lunch and dinner services, there is open opportunity to enjoy either a late lunch or an early dinner, with snacking options available in between. Offering food throughout the entire venue, patrons can enjoy their food in the alfresco dining area bordering Hutt Street, on the grassy upstairs balcony (which offers beautiful views up and down the street), or inside their dining and atrium areas.

While their cocktails and fancier food is a little on the pricey side, The Havey holds a generous happy hour Monday to Friday between 5-7pm, offers daily specials on their pub grub ($10 for a massive chicken or chicken schnitzel? Yes please!) And their share plates don’t break the $11 mark.

Want to go there? Check them out at 162 Hutt Street, or browse their website at www.thehavey.com.au

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Ballaboosta

If you find yourself at a loose end in the East End of Adelaide’s CBD, Ballaboosta provides a warm, buzzy, and welcoming atmosphere for anyone to come and enjoy cheap, homemade-style Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean food and coffee.

Opened in 2015, Ballaboosta already holds a loyal and regular following (including yours truly!). An attractive, yet off-the-beaten-track kind of venue, a roaring wood oven in the corner churns out delicious, puffy, and thin flat breads and amazing pizzas, while an impeccably trained barista brews your favourite hot or cold drink.

While their pizzas are a bit heavy on the pocket at $17, they’re massive and are made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients that would easily fill two people!

From sitting outside and enjoying the sun, to inside next to the stunning original wood pizza oven, Ballaboosta has served up beautiful and vibrantly coloured food and delicious coffee since opening on Halifax Street in 2015.

Want to go there? They’re at 289 Halifax Street, open ‘til 9:30 every day (except for Sundays when they close at 4).

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The Crown and Sceptre Hotel

The Crown and Sceptre Hotel is a must for the penny-pinching university student. Located just outside of the city centre on King William Street, The Sceptre boasts one of the most extensive spirit and liquor lists in Adelaide, a wide variety of craft beers on tap, as well as cheap food and snacks with vegetarian options.

For an especially fast, filling, and frugal food choice, look no further than their flame grilled burgers and sandwiches! All priced at $13, they’re as big as your face and delicious!

A much-loved live music venue, The Sceptre holds four separate rooms for entertainment, while a large and comfortable beer garden centres the venue with a stage and room for dancing.

Recognised as a great venue for live music, the hotel has hosted numerous local and international indie bands including the likes of The Cat Empire, and will be hosting “Quaint Attraction” on Friday the 25^th of August.

In the mood for a more laid-back evening? The Sceptre offers board and pub games for patrons; including Scrabble, Operation and Jenga, as well as pool and ping-pong tables and multiple dart boards.

If you’re in the area, they’re at 308 King William Street and are open ‘til 11pm Monday to Thursday, and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Happy hour’s from 4 – 6pm!

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