PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThe stretch of Magill Road leading into the CBD is home to a trio of landmark Adelaide pubs. The old boozers have been there since the turn of last century; the buildings that is, not the bar-flies. In recent times, they have been reborn with stunning makeovers. Again, I refer to the hotels, although their patrons are also now smoother around the edges and modern in their designer fit-outs. The Alma Tavern is one such venue that boasts snazzy bistro lunches and dinners, served in a plush dining room with padded alcove tables and a boutique-sized fire that is built at eye-level into the tiled featured wall.
The menu is commendable gastro pub fare and mashed potato fans will want to take note – you can get a fix of the blessed tuber mix in several ways at the Alma. A side of it comes imbued with roasted garlic. Many would delight in this alone but if you order “Roo’s Rib Cracker” you get a big dollop and 500 grams of tender beef on the bone. Finished with a Shiraz glaze, it is the kitchen’s signature dish. Sweet potato mash can be found underneath the char-grilled pork fillet while braised lamb shanks in tomato and red wine sauce are also humbled by the presence of a magnificent mound of mashed spud. “Surf and Turf” will indulge you with spring onion mash. It is topped with a 300 gram scotch fillet and prawns in garlic cream sauce. A mash-fest is likely to take up well-deserved tummy space so make sure you leave room for a slice of sticky date pudding served warm with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice-cream… hold the mash.
Roz Taylor, June 2008