A year after opening, The Summertown Aristologist has expanded beyond radiating good vibes as an on-trend hangout to place Adelaide Hills provenance at the centre of every plate. The kitchen’s hands-on commitment is serious, from making smallgoods to pulling vegetables from local plots hours before service. Robust saucisson with Hafod cheddar is a smart starter, segueing to shavings of calamari with lemon verbena and green strawberries, to plump free-range chicken, poached and served in broth with seasonal vegetables. Portion sizes are modest, so helpful staff encourage an array of plates to share. It promotes lingering over wine, with about 400 bottles to ogle – either from winemaker-owners Anton van Klopper and Jasper Button, and their Adelaide Hills buddies, or internationals embracing similar low-intervention methods.
Gourmet Traveller’s star-ratings, which range from zero to three stars, reflect reviewers’ first-hand experiences. The best-rated restaurants form our national Top 100. Our wine ratings, from zero to three stars, are made by wine editor Max Allen on the strength of the quality of the restaurant’s wine list. View our rating key here.
