Jacqui's Food Fetish

What an amazing transformation! Adelaide Casino’s Loco Bar on North Terrace has now been turned into a chic bistro eatery and bar – Madame Hanoi.  It’s a fantastic fit out with food to match.  Touting itself as an espresso bar and bistro, it serves both traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes, a smattering of French, plus a blend of the two.

It spans two floors and the upstairs area is huge.  The artwork is by Emma Hack, a local artist.  The gorgeous wall mural combines body paint, photography and a painted background.  You might be familiar with her work from the Gotye “Somebody that I used to know” video clip.

Chef Nic Watt has a penchant for Asian food and has worked at NOBU and the Park Hyatt in London, and more recently, opened a Japanese restaurant in Auckland, Masu.

The printed menu, because it’s right justified and the heading is placed bottom right, looks upside down (you’ll understand what I mean when you see one!). Food-wise, it’s exciting – lots of options to share, both small and large.  The kitchen is open until late which is good to know as I’m often up for a late bite after a gig and it’s hard to find anywhere in Adelaide that opens their kitchen past 9:15pm, even on a weekend.  I was told on a Friday or Saturday the kitchen will be open until at least 11pm.

I was in the mood for a cocktail when I arrived so ordered the Hanoi Hannah – mint, coconut sugar, fresh lychee, hibiscus bitter and bourbon – good stuff – it went down way to easily – I could have had another but alas, I had to drive home later.  After this we had the S.C. Pannell pinot grigio – a bottle, followed by another bottle. As for the food, check out the photos below.  I enjoyed it all and am craving it all over again!  One of my dining partners is half Vietnamese and she was pleased with the food – a good gauge I think.  I particularly liked the Soft Shell Crab Squid Ink Bao with chilli lime mayonnaise – it looked and tasted great – nice meaty crab in a beautiful black bun dough – not as light and fluffy as some I’ve had but it’s something a bit different. And the crispy pork that you wrap in lettuce leaves with vermicelli and fresh herbs – YUM!  Shaking beef is usually cut thinly or cubed and then cooked but Nic cooks a whole steak then slices it quick thickly.  Whatever – I liked it!

It was very attentive service – Clare and Van did a great job at looking after us.  They were eager to please and able to answer any question I threw at them.

I’m really excited that this place has opened.  It’s a good place to drop into.  You can go just for a drink, but in my opinion, you’d be crazy not to try some of this excellent food.

Muc Sua Chien Gion – Crispy fried baby squid, smoked chilli, kaffir lime

Tom Nau Chien – Crispy school prawns, lime, garlic, lemongrass

Bahn Bao Cua Lot – Soft shell crab, coriander, chilli lime mayo

Bahn Bao Cua Lot – Soft shell crab, coriander, chilli lime mayo

The Hanoi Hannah – mint, coconut sugar, fresh lychee, hibiscus bitter, bourbon

So Diep Nuong – grilled Hervey Bay scallops, chilli, lime, soy

Bo Luc Lac – Peppered soy shaking beef, red onion, watercress

Canh ga chien nuoc mam – crispy chicken wings, fish sauce, red chilli, mint

The beautiful wall painting by Emma Hack – Madame Hanoi – body painted and photographed, placed on a painted background

Heo quay cuon rau – crispy pork belly, Vietnamese herbs, hoisin sauce, lettuce cups

Manager Blake modelling the Marou chocolates

So co la chu nhat – Marou chocolate ganache, roasted banana ice cream, condensed milk jelly, palm sugar peanuts

Pho Mai – Fromage Blanc, cherries, vanilla, pistachio