Restaurant Reviews

The Kitchen Door: Restaurant review

Address

281 Main Rd
McLaren Vale, SA

Hours

Lunch daily noon-3pm

Prices

E $18-$22
M $32-$39
D $15-$16

REVIEW

Fresh from a stint at Maxwell Wines' Ellen Street Restaurant, chef Tom Boden has a new home among the vines and paddocks at Penny's Hill. In keeping with the rural vibe, Boden's food is honest, rustic and bound to sate the hungriest of appetites. A slab of slow-roasted lamb is meltingly tender and delicious with eggplant, chickpea and roast cumin seeds; pork belly is an equally generous serve, teamed simply with chunks of carrot and a handful of dill. There's more finesse in a stack of apple cucumber, smoked kingfish and pink grapefruit topped with a perfectly charred king prawn. Tempura-style zucchini flowers are light and fresh on a salad of pickled zucchini and baked ricotta. It all adds up to a hearty lunch, although more variety on a list heavy on Penny's Hill wines would be a welcome touch. Crème anglaise is the star of a strawberry summer trifle, while fuzzy peach wedges on clotted cream seal the deal on perfectly turned-out tart.
Phone:
(08) 8557 0840
Bookings:
Bookings recommended
Features:
  • BYO
  • Licensed
  • Bar
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Outdoor dining
  • Private room
Accepted card types:
  • Eftpos
  • MasterCard
  • Visa
Chef(s):
Tom Boden
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide's reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.