Southern style for the East End

The East End corner of Rundle Street will be abuzz when new craft beer and whisky bar Nola opens next door to The Stag in the coming weeks.

“Nola will have a New Orleanean theme and vibe,” says Oliver Brown, one of Nola’s four owners. “NOLA is a common abbreviation for New Orleans Louisiana.”

Brown, a winemaker by trade, travelled to the United States in 2014 and was so inspired by the Creole cuisine and culture that he decided to start a bar with three friends (Joshua Talbot, Alex Marschall and Matthew Orman – all disgruntled engineering graduates who also share a love of craft beer and whisky).

They thought the historic bluestone stables next door to The Stag would be the perfect venue and approached the landlord, Steve Maras, who agreed the bar would be a good fit for the precinct.

Local designer Matiya Marovic (Gondola Gondola, Pink Moon Saloon) was hired to do the fitout of the building, transforming it into a two-level New Orleans-style saloon. It’s painted in vibrant “Jericho Jade” and decked out with leather booths, dry bars with bentwood stools, and neon signs, one of which sets the tone of Nola by proclaiming “Laisez Les Bontemps Rouler!” (French for “Let The Good Times Roll”).

The bar is made from reclaimed jarrah from old Penfolds vats.

“Alex’s uncle, Daryl Groom, was the senior red winemaker at Penfolds and when they made the change to stainless steel he kept some of the old timber,” says Brown. “When the bar was first built, you could smell the red wine.”

The entrepreneurs, all aged in their mid 20s, then mounted a Pozible crowdfunding campaign to help pay for the installation of 16 independently-owned beer taps (with three on nitrogen for a smoother pour) so they could have complete control of the rotating range of beer on offer at Nola.

“The beer is predominantly Australian,” says Brown. “But we’re also bringing in overseas stuff by keg in mixed pallets to show people there’s more than what’s already been seen in Adelaide.”

The kinds of beers you can expect at Nola are pumpkin ale (Smashing Rumpkin from Illawarra Brewing Company), a hibiscus and jasmine-infused IPA (Red Sky from Shenanigans Brewing Company), Vale Ale’s experimental Pineapple Saison and other quirky brews from new Adelaide brewery Little Bang. The top shelf behind the bar will be stocked with up to 70 American and Australian whiskies, including the locally distilled Moonlight by Steam Exchange Brewery. Moonlight is un-aged barrel whisky, otherwise known as “moonshine”, in keeping with Nola’s southern American theme.

Nola will also offer a range of whisky-based cocktails, such as Whisky Sours, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Hurricaines (made with light and dark rum).

“We will also serve Sazerac Rye Whisky, which is very, very New Orleanean,” says Brown, “and a small range of wines on rotation.”

The Nola team has secured chef Adam Hudson (formerly of Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Daniel O’Connell Hotel) to cook up the menu of classic Creole dishes for sharing, including jambalaya, gumbo, fried chicken, po-boys, Mississippi mud pies and beignets.

“New Orleans was once the biggest port in the US, so the cuisine has been influenced by migrants from many cultures,” says Brown. “The cuisine is French-based, but there are Spanish, German, African, Vietnamese and native American influences – it’s a crazy mix.”

Nola will be open for lunch and dinner every day and for breakfast on Sundays. The place is set up and ready for action, but they’re just waiting for the last piece of paperwork to go through before they can officially open their doors. Watch Nola’s Facebook page for progress.

Exclusive rooftop bar goes public

The Mayfair Hotel at the Colonial Mutual Life Building. Photo: supplied

The exclusive bar located on the rooftop of one of Adelaide’s most iconic buildings in King William Street, the Colonial Mutual Life Building, is currently undergoing a full redesign in preparation for its public opening on December 4.

The Hennessy was originally designed only for executive guests staying at the Mayfair Hotel, which now occupies the historic building, but after public demand hotel management has decided to open the doors to non-guests.

The bar’s name does not refer to the famous French Champagne house, but rather is an acknowledgement to Henness & Hennessy, the architects who built the heritage-listed building in 1935.

Offering views east across the city and through to the Adelaide Hills, with a luxurious fit-out and a bar-snack menu designed by The Mayfair’s executive chef Bethany Finn, the Hennessy will no doubt provide some competition for King William Street’s other rooftop bar, 2KW.

Who won the Wilmark Awards?

Jill Trewartha, honey producer at Do Bee Honey. Photo: supplied

Running since 2012, the Wilmark Awards celebrate the stallholders and shoppers of the Willunga Farmers’ Market, recognising the contribution each makes to the market community.

Shoppers vote for their favourite producers across four different categories and “the stallies” also vote for their favourite shoppers. Award winners receive a basket of market produce valued at around $250.

2015 Wilmark Award winners were: From Humble Grounds (Favourite Stall), a mobile coffee stall that uses McLaren Vale-roasted Villere coffee; Do Bee Honey (Best Service), an Aldinga Beach-based husband-and-wife team who stock a number of different honeys from around the state; Bull Creek Garlic (Best Dressed Stall), a certified organic farm based in Bull Creek, just outside of Meadows, specialising in 15 varieties of garlic, but also a wide range of certified organic vegetables; and Small World Bakery sourdough bread (Favourite Product), baked at Langhorne Creek using ancient techniques.

Note: Small World Bakery’s last market will be November 21 as owners Chris Duffy and Emily Jenke prepare to embark on a 12-month research trip working on properties that grow, mill and bake in the one location with the aim to replicate that model here on their return.

Pickle party

Learn the art of pickling, from Christmas cherries to kimchi, at Dirty Girl Kitchen’s Pickle Day at the Market Shed on December 5.

This hands-on workshop will be “one big pickle party”, says pickling expert Rebecca Sullivan, and includes refreshments and light lunch and goodies to take home and put under the tree.

Contact [email protected] for more information, cost and bookings.

What’s on?

Prospect Farmers’ Market 2^nd birthday – November 12
Celebrate Prospect Farmers’ Market’s second year of trading at a family fun day tomorrow from 3pm until 6.30pm. There will be 20 local farmers and producers selling South Australian produce, a Thermomix demonstration and other entertainment.

Meet the Author – Matthew Evans – November 12
Join Gourmet Farmer Matthew Evans at Deviation Road Winery in the Adelaide Hills as he chats about life in Tassie and his new book, Summer on Fat Pig Farm, with seasonal food by Stirling’s The Locavore restaurant and Deviation Road bubbles. Tickets are $65 per person and $120 for couples. See InDaily‘s interview with Evans here.

La Dolce Vita – November 15
Celebrate the Italian lifestyle at a special long lunch event at Longview Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills with selected wines and a seafood menu designed by The Caterers. La Dolce Vita will be hosted by local personality Cosi and feature an auction by Michael Pratt and other fundraising activities in support of six South Australian charities. Tickets are $135 per person.

Meet the Author – Annabel Crabb – November 16
Join journalist and TV personality Annabel Crabb, of ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet, at Deviation Road Winery in the Adelaide Hills as she discusses her new book Special Delivery. Tickets are $15 and include a drink on arrival and nibbles. See InDaily‘s recent story on Crabb’s Adelaide Fringe appearance next year here.

Sidewood Wine Dinner – November 18
Join Owen Inglis (Sidewood owner and vigneron) at the Union Hotel for a three-course dinner plus canapés and cheese matched to nine Sidewood wines and ciders, including the 2013 Sidewood Mappinga Shiraz, gold medal winner at the 2015 Decanter World Wine Awards. Tickets are $85 per head; bookings essential by phoning the Union Hotel on 8231 2144.

Picnic at Marble Hill – November 22
Don’t miss this one-day festival of artisan wine, food and music from the cool heart of the Adelaide Hills. A group of Adelaide Hills wineries and cider makers will showcase their drops alongside a range of local food producers against the stunning backdrop of the historic Marble Hill ruins. Proceeds go to the Cora Barclay Centre for deaf and hearing-impaired children, the Basket Range Primary School and the Cherryville CFS. Tickets are $15 for adults. More information here.

Langhorne Creek Vignerons’ Day – November 22
Food and wine will be a big feature of the Langhorne Creek Vignerons’ Race Day, with Strathalbyn’s Appleseed Café preparing the three-course menu for the Winemakers’ Luncheon ($135 including matched wines, a race book and race entry) and a host of food and wine stalls available to racegoers, including Cheese Please, Squid Ink, Natura Icecream and Finns Fine Foods. Tickets and information can be found here.

Apothecary Annual Champagne and Sparkling Tasting – November 30
The Apothecary 1878 is holding it annual champagne and sparkling tasting on November 30 from 6pm to 7.30pm. Tickets are $58 per person including canapés. Reservations are essential by phoning 8212 9099.

A Table in the Country – December 4
The Maitland Family, which produces Pangkarra Foods, is hosting an on-farm dining experience at its Clare Valley property. Guests will be taken on an epicurean journey from Adelaide to “Anama Park”, where they will enjoy a five-course degustation lunch matched with local beer and wines, plus a visit to a local winery, a farm tour and a crop walk. Limited tickets are available for $175 per person, including transfers (from Adelaide), food, wine and take-home pack of Pangkarra Foods. Bookings can be made here.

GH Mumm Uncorked – December 4
The National Wine Centre’s final Uncorked event for 2015 will feature French champagne from GH Mumm and complimentary cheese platters and oysters with entertainment by Adelaide jazz singer Kate Fuller. Guests can even try their hand at champagne sabering. The event starts at 4.30pm and entry is free.

Le Diner en Blanc – December 5
Adelaide’s third annual Le Diner en Blanc, a posh pop-up picnic at a secret location with a special code, is on December 5. Guests must dress elegantly in white, and “beer and hard liquor are prohibited” at the event, which takes place in more than 60 cities all around their world. To register or for more information, visit the official website here.

Sukhumvit Soi.38 banquet dinner – December 6
To celebrate the 88^th birthday of His Majesty King Rama IX of Thailand, Pulteney Street’s Thai street food restaurant Sukhumvit Soi.38 is hosting a banquet dinner with matching South Australian wines. Head chef Terry Intarakhamhaeng is creating the five-course menu as well as a “royal” cocktail in honour of King Bhumibol. Tickets are $95 per head and seats are limited to 40 guests only. For bookings call 8223 5472.

News, tips and information?

The Forager would love to hear about your news, events and suggestions. Please contact us at [email protected].