The Melting Pot

Ph: (08) 8373 2044; Shop 2, 160 King William Rd, HYDE PARK 5061 www.themeltingpot.com.au

Modern Australian, $$ +
Open Dinner: 6.30pm-10pm Tue-Sat. Lunch: Last Fri of the month, Closed Christmas Day; Licensed; AE MC V, Seats inside 35
Chef Adam Liston (26-03-08) Owner Simon Kardachi (26-03-08)

Mietta's Review
This little restaurant has grown in stature over the years. The room is comfortable with carefully ordered rows of small etchings and watercolours stretching down the side walls. The shop window provides movement from the street and the rear is cleverly clothed with golden reflections which lift the drab cloured walls. Service is from the owner, Simon Kardachi, and two efficient waitresses, who might just be more concerned with how they look than your comfort. For the wealthy the wine list is a joy to behold - there are more bottles at $400 than $40 - still they are interesting and well chosen. The crowd appear to be professionals in their 30s who clearly enjoy the place and warm to Simon's low key but well pitched charm. On this visit, what impressed most about the food was its portion control. The evening, thus far mixed, completely disintegrated when Simon announced discreetly that there was a surcharge on Diners Card. It is only a small thing - much less than a normal tip - but it's the impression one takes away.

Other published opinions

Adelaide Advertiser Simon Wilkinson, 26-3-2008 Score: 16.5/20 "A new chef maintains the high standards of this eclectic little gem. Exceptional cellar, which shows in the selection of matched wines"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "A new chef is at the stoves - respected Barossan Sandor Palmai - but the degustation-only menu remains at this small but sophisticated restaurant, as does a stamp of exemplary quality and flair"

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "It takes bravado for a chef to dispense with a normal menu and instead dictate what each and every diner is going to eat on a particular night. But bring together those two little piles of Thai salad (sweet, crisp beef and fish cheeks with a lime dressing), revel in their exquisite play of texture and taste, and everything starts to make sense."

Adelaide Advertiser 2006 "Well-established in one of Adelaide's ritziest shopping strips, this fine diner shows small is beautiful. Calm, olive green walls are lined with local artist Tom Gleghorn's work including his huge namesake melting pot painting under a long banquette."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "With a stylish olive-green dining room, a main wall dominated by the namesake Tom Gleghorn painting, and all the comforts you expect with a great meal, The Melting Pot remains a serious proposition. Service is pitched efficiently yet with enough intimacy to allow waiters to sit beside you on the banquettes to discuss menu choices"

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "This Hyde Park icon has maintained a serious reputation with its intimate and stylish dining room, with designer wine-racking at one wall, a collection of renowned artist Tom Cleghorn's work (including a painting ofthe restaurant's namesake pot) on another."

The Advertiser, food & wine, 31/3/04, Tony Love,Score 16.5/20'A chic,comfortable establishment with excellent service from casual, yet most knowledgeable staff.The food is French influenced, mature,well crafted without tomfoolery. Very good comparable value.'

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 2 Red Stars, Excellent wine list,'You couldn't wish for a more congenial and competent suburban restaurant than this.It's very small but comfortable, with soft seating and subdued lighting, and the craftmanship of both waiters and kitchen is hard to fault...the wine list is still one of the best in the state.'

Virigin Airlines,Adelaide Guide,April/May 2002,'one of Adelaide's most talked about restaurants,with menu options that range from one-course specials to 5 courses with wine'