Commenting on the story: Vacant CBD buildings ripe for apartments

The city’s heritage character, although challenged greatly by a period of chaotic under planning, is still visible.

Adaptive reuse of empty city space is a commendable plan, as in Amsterdam. It makes sense for the city fringe facing the parklands to be included in new denser living conversations. Rather than back a same old carbon high-rise disaster, as pointed out by UniSA’s Dr David Ness, why not look at the Scandinavian mid-rise housing solutions that are environmentally much kinder ?

SA development visionary Barrie Harrop has done some extraordinary work in bringing these greener, denser concepts to attention in SA and beyond. This includes affordable solutions. There are ‘eighties’ office sites along Greenhill Rd that would lend themselves to this approach and allow what is left of the essential character of our beloved city to be preserved.

We need holistic aesthetic vision as we once had in William Light, plus green thinking. – Elizabeth Ho

Commenting on the story: Student union’s big spend on controversial ‘YouX’ rebrand

Why didn’t they give the rebranding exercise to some final year Marketing students?

They could have been guided by lecturers and tutors, it would have been excellent real world experience they could have included on their CVs, and it would have cost nothing. – Craig Pickering 

Commenting on the story: What ever happened to … Ying Chow?

First, I agree with Josh Fanning’s assessment that the food at Ying Chow remains top shelf. But his puerile piece that lamented the changed culture of Adelaide by using Ying Chow as the example contains inaccuracies and misrepresentations.

Since it opened nearly 30 years ago the place has never been open (officially) until 1.30am; the ribs are Red Vinegar Ribs, not Dry Vinegar Ribs; and while there have been staff with personalities – and some without – who’ve come and gone over the years, the beating heart and living soul of Ying Chow has always been Brian, whether in the kitchen or front of house. He is always there. A true Adelaide legend. If Josh hasn’t sensed his presence in the restaurant over the years I am not sure where he’s been going. Or is it that he is simply too self-absorbed?

But, more broadly, what rock have you been under, Josh? There was a pandemic. The whole business of eating out was reframed by it. Restricted numbers. Staff shortages. Supply issues. Make a booking. But even in that context Ying Chow shone by being open when it was allowed, and into the times when entertainment was cranking up again. They closed the kitchen at 9.30 in the depths of the pandemic, but that was later than most other places. Even La Trattoria. And if you were late walking up from the Festival Theatre you could always ring in your order while on the way; still can. As things have settled down the closing time is edging later. Still not back to 12.30, but certainly later than mostly anywhere else. And that in the face of cost of living pressures affecting eating out; and in winter.

Getting a late night feed from a full menu in Adelaide is an acknowledged problem, and one worth writing about. That said, cheap shots and ill-informed commentary on a place that has always done its best is hardly edifying. – Will Morony