PROFILE BY BEST RESTAURANTS
The Hurley Hotel Group is one of Adelaide's largest and its Arkaba Bistro is a landmark hotel/motel on the accommodation boulevard, Glen Osmond Road. The bistro seats more than 100 diners who can sit in booths or at tables spread throughout several dining areas. Lofty, thatched ceilings with wooden beams open up the space, creating a casual and homely atmosphere. Staff mirror this sentiment with friendly assistance and table service for drinks. Aside from the regular beverage list there is the Ark Cellar Selection, topped with a '71 Penfolds Grange Hermitage. Manager Beau Holt is expert in all things wine, and as a former chef can also steer you through the menu professionally.
There is a sound seafood selection for those not wanting to tread the pedestrian path of schnitzels and steaks. The latter come in the form of South Australian terra rossa beef, so if you're craving a meat fix, you can be assured it will be a quality one. Oysters come at their natural best or Kilpatrick with crispy bacon and the chef's special sauce. Available individually, enjoy a couple on the side or slurp them down with a glass of bubbles upon arrival. If you don't like your prawns doing time in the deep-fryer then indulge in crustaceans in a creamy garlic sauce, served on a bed of steamed rice. Butter-soft salt and pepper squid is consistently well done and presented beautifully on the plate. Desserts are certainly crowd-pleasers with daily blackboard specials also available. Work them off on the dancefloor afterwards in the legendary Top of the Ark nightclub.
Roz Taylor