Urban Bistro

Ph: 8331 2400; 160 Fullarton Rd, ROSE PARK 5067 www.urbanbistro.com.au

Modern Australian, $$ +, ** for Ambience
Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-3pm Dinner Tue-Sat 5.30pm-9.30pm; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $15 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT
Chef (Bethany Finn, 2007-10-29) Owner (--)

Mietta's Review
This is a good, businesslike bistro that's honest in what it does and in how much it charges. In attitude it's more Sydney or Melbourne than Adelaide. You'll find it on the ground floor of a large apartment building on busy Fullarton Rd, which its small terrace almost overhangs; there are attractive views of the parkland opposite. Inside there is the discreet bustle of young (spikey-haired) waiters and their female counterparts, both dressed in unflattering brown and cream striped shirts, going about their business. It's all very no-nonsense - you want something, they get it for you, politely. And, it's open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The clientele is mixed, they vary in age and where they come from - some from the building and neighbourhood, some tourists and some who work nearby. The menu is interesting and the food comes as and when it should. This is a professional operation. Recommended. Mains around $23.

Other published opinions

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "Whatever you choose at Urban Bistro, you can be sure it's been crafted with care by the two owner-chefs. An artful entree of sugar-cured wagyu, slow-cooked egg, capers, brioche, cornichons and cabernet dressing could send you into taste and texture heaven"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "More suburban than urban in setting, this breezy, casual diner offers a bit of everything"

Adelaide Advertiser Score: 17/20 "A modern setting with elegant yet casual service and a very smart menu, crossing many cultural boundaries with technical finesse. Good value at this point."

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: * "Urban Bistro is chic and contemporary, yet comfortable and intimate a cocoon of fine food and understated service. Food here is always distinctly seasonal in the produce used and the way it is prepared. A soft crepinette pillow of braised rabbit meat with creamy chanterelle risotto makes fabulous cool-climate comfort food."

Adelaide Advertiser 2006 "This is the sort of place where people go when they can't be bothered cooking at home but don't want to put on airs and graces when they go out. Urban is very much a suburban bistro but with sleek, contemporary style, located on the ground floor of an apartment block overlooking Victoria Park racecourse."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "Sharp-edged contemporary styling, bare timber floors and chocolate-coloured chairs don't alter the fact that at Urban you feel as if you're in someone's private dining room. It's the sort of place where ladies love to lunch, but so do many others from the surrounding apartments and fashionable suburbs."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide * "A sleek, contemporary dining space. Everything is smart about this operation, from the sophisticated furnishings and graphics, to the sassy waiting staff and a menu that looks fresh and enticing without taking too many risks."

SMH GFG 2004, 'With its lovely timber floors,chocolate-cloured chairs and intelligent service, this is Adelaide on a stick. Breakfast is nearly the equal of more substantial offerings,such as peppered duck breast with porcini risotto.'

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Black Star, Excellent wine list, 'is very much a suburban bistro whose style is that of modern-even sharp edged-private dining room.It's comfortable and relaxed...the breakfast menu is one of the best in town...interesting, Mediterranean-style dishes'

The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Living,12/11/02, Nigel Hopkins, 'terrific cooking is matched by equally splendid wine lists.'