The Villager

The Villager is made up of a group of writers who love exploring Adelaide. The Blog promotes local businesses, artists and more.

The Villager is a part of Love Adelaide, a not-for-profit org who primarliy help others.

www.loveadelaide.com

Eager Eaters Line Up In The Freeze For eggless!

eggless desserts worth the wait

The only line up I expected to be in was either the line up to a choice club, or the line up to an event. Well there’s another reason people are willing to line up on a winter’s night and grit the chill for up to an hour; and that’s to get into eggless. This quaint little shop on Goodwood Road is getting so famous for its desserts that people are waiting for up to an hour for a table. Last night I was lucky enough to be a part of a group booking and we got there before 8pm and only had to wait 15 minutes to get in (and yes, by “eggless”, I mean eggless desserts, vegan and lacto-vegetarian desserts).

It was a relief to get inside and sit down in the warmth of the neat, cosy, ambient low-lit, toned-down asian styled shop, lanterns included. I glanced over the menu to see about 8 or so choices. Being the chocoholic I am, I tried to find the most decadent chocolate dish on the menu – suffice to say there was only one, a chocolate and hazelnut brownie topped with raspberry sauce and a dollop of choc iced cream… mmm yes it was AMAZING!

I also tried the white chocolate and rose cheesecake topped with pistachio’s and it was an absolute delight! Having both desserts I didn’t feel like I’d over done it, but that I could certainly eat more.

This is all on the plus side of course, the only downside for me was watching all the people outside waiting to get in. I felt like I had an audience, no doubt they were drooling at the site of our food and deciding what they would get; but I’m too sympathetic and couldn’t help feeling sorry for them knowing full well that some had been outside for an hour in the cold; the gas heat lamp would have eased that… a little and getting in would make it all WORTH IT.

We were under no pressure to leave by the staff, but it lingered over me that they would appreciate us leaving after we ate. I didn’t feel that I could sit there for longer just chatting with my friends without at least ordering more food- which by no means is a bad thing considering how amazing the desserts are. 

Also you’ll have to give up your lattes and cappuccinos as there is no barista coffee menu only plunger style; but if you’re a tea person there’s a wide selection, plus the hot chocolates are smooth and silky! Trust me you can go without your frothy coffee when you taste the heaven that is eggless desserts!

eggless is a must see, smell, eat and indulge experience.

More info and for updated menus etc. head to http://www.eggless.com.au/ 

UR kind of cafe

Tucked comfortably in a pocket on the cosmopolitan Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, is a cafe, but not just any cafe. From the exterior, UR cafe boasts confidence and personality. You are immediately drawn to its thick red double doors, black and white artwork, and inviting open plate windows. Once you step inside onto the vinyl floorboards, you are instantly smitten by its charm and character – your eyes won’t know where to look! 

With its art-covered brick walls, funky vintage hanging lights, retro furnishing and mismatched decor, UR cafe is a mecca for the arty. Even the menu is displayed with a creative flair, plastered in chalk over a side wall.

Not one table is the same as the next; take your pick out of the stools, deck chairs or comfy couch on offer. Books line each window-seal and aluminium tinned flowers occupy each table. The coffee cups are big and flamboyant -, the only way coffee should be drunk.

Sipping on a sweet, yet strong, coffee, you are surrounded by fellow coffee lovers; book in hand and conversation at the minimum.This intimate and eclectic atmosphere is perfect for a mid-morning brunch date or an afternoon rendezvous. Or why not cash in some well deserved down time and grab a spot on the couch? - with your favourite book in hand of course!

UR cafe is a breath of fresh air to the idea of a coffee shop experience. It’s not just another Cibo or Gloria Jeans. UR cafe is a must see, must do, whilst in the city of Adelaide; it puts the rad in radelaide!

Amanda Smith for The Villager

image

http://www.urcaffe.com/

A Small Art Factory Holds Big Surprises

Sculptor Anna Small doesn’t have to travel far to get inspiration – it’s right there in her backyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Anna and her husband Warren Pickering design and create laser-cut metal sculptures derived from the natural environment.

From small pieces such as garden stakes and wall hangings, through to larger steel pieces, Anna’s work is created with love and evokes feelings of wonderment at the beauty of nature.

The creative starts with Anna sketching the flora that she comes across in her daily life in the beachside suburb of Moana. From these sketches, she creates the designs that are then laser-cut.

“We then hand-form the metal using traditional techniques, allowing the flowers and plants to take their chosen form,” she said. “When completed, the sculptures are placed in our garden where we “water” them every day, allowing for a beautiful rust patina to create a random and self-maintaining finish.”

Recently, Anna and Warren have also moved into high-gloss finishes, creating perfect sculptures for indoor and out. 

“The ongoing delight that our work gives people who place it on their walls has inspired us to develop our ideas further,” Anna said.

“At first our designs were exclusively small, reflecting the littleness of the stuff that life is ultimately made of.  As we have progressed I have found that the events that make meaning may be small but the cumulative life effect is big and so it has been a natural move towards creating larger steel pieces.”

Since starting as a full-time artist about five years ago, the demand for Anna’s work has grown and can now be seem in galleries in both South Australia and Victoria, including the Textile’s and Arts (T’Arts) Gallery in Gays Arcade, The Handorf Academy and Urban Cow Studios.

For more information, or to contact Anna,

visit her website at http://www.asmallartfactory.com.auimageimage

Nicole Leedham

 

(Source: asmallartfactory.com,.au)

From Scotland to Adelaide, one Pirate’s Journey. A plethora of interesting characters flock to Adelaide each year - for festivals, wine, maybe even a bike race - but for one individual it was roller derby that beckoned. Claire ‘Pirate’ Tannahill hails from Scotland and moved to Adelaide in 2010,with only one friend here and armed with the knowledge that it ‘gets hot’.  Her first impression of the city was ‘a quiet seaside town where  everyone knows everyone else, except they don’t really, because it’s    actually quite a big place’.  She felt immediately at home with the laid back attitude for which Adelaide is known, and settled right in to  Adelaide Roller Derby League (ADRD). Pirate had an initially difficult time adjusting, as the league with which she skated in Glasgow trained three times a week, all year round. She arrived here the day after ADRD’s grand final in September, 2010, which meant shut-down mode until January this year. Pirate skated hard through the summer so she could hit the ground running in ADRD’s 2011 season, which had a focus on grass roots derby and the community - a way of giving back to the city and people that support it. In her own words, she had ‘a lot of fun this season. “It’s great to be part of something so huge -  ADRD is definitely a community - it felt wonderful to touch down in a different part of the world and know that you can meet like-minded individuals who are willing to help you out,” she said. Pirate made her mark in the league, with her Scottish flag face paint and determined attitude.  She has become an integral part of her team, the league at large and the Adelaide locals who love the sport - from the children scooting around at the bouts to the grandparents in their camping chairs to the people who hold the stall for animal rights. Away from derby, Pirate has sampled a variety of things that Adelaide has to offer: a job at a rock pub in Adelaide - the Forresters and Squatters Arms - volunteering as part of the Willing Workers On Organic Farms scheme, the festivals, the music scene, the art scene and of course she has been diving with sharks. What began as a one year visit to Adelaide has turned into a sordid love affair, and Pirate is in the process of organising to stay - another colourful addition to our city, another satisfied customer. By Robyn Hall for the Villager pic by Mimby Jones Robinson

From Scotland to Adelaide, one Pirate’s Journey.

A plethora of interesting characters flock to Adelaide each year - for festivals, wine, maybe even a bike race - but for one individual it was roller derby that beckoned.

Claire ‘Pirate’ Tannahill hails from Scotland and moved to Adelaide in 2010,with only one friend here and armed with the knowledge that it ‘gets hot’. 

Her first impression of the city was ‘a quiet seaside town where  everyone knows everyone else, except they don’t really, because it’s    actually quite a big place’.  She felt immediately at home with the laid back attitude for which Adelaide is known, and settled right in to  Adelaide Roller Derby League (ADRD).

Pirate had an initially difficult time adjusting, as the league with which she skated in Glasgow trained three times a week, all year round. She arrived here the day after ADRD’s grand final in September, 2010, which meant shut-down mode until January this year.

Pirate skated hard through the summer so she could hit the ground running in ADRD’s 2011 season, which had a focus on grass roots derby and the community - a way of giving back to the city and people that support it.

In her own words, she had ‘a lot of fun this season.

“It’s great to be part of something so huge -  ADRD is definitely a community - it felt wonderful to touch down in a different part of the world and know that you can meet like-minded individuals who are willing to help you out,” she said.

Pirate made her mark in the league, with her Scottish flag face paint and determined attitude.  She has become an integral part of her team, the league at large and the Adelaide locals who love the sport - from the children scooting around at the bouts to the grandparents in their camping chairs to the people who hold the stall for animal rights.

Away from derby, Pirate has sampled a variety of things that Adelaide has to offer: a job at a rock pub in Adelaide - the Forresters and Squatters Arms - volunteering as part of the Willing Workers On Organic Farms scheme, the festivals, the music scene, the art scene and of course she has been diving with sharks.

What began as a one year visit to Adelaide has turned into a sordid love affair, and Pirate is in the process of organising to stay - another colourful addition to our city, another satisfied customer.

By Robyn Hall for the Villager

pic by Mimby Jones Robinson

With a cherry on top, please!  We all get those forbidden late night sweet cravings, but if you’re going to be naughty, then do it the right way!  Maccas run? I think not. Once the clock ticks 8.00pm, slip on those uggies and head down to the Elephant Walk, a late night dessert restaurant that calls Melbourne Street its home.  Elephant Walk is much more than a treat to the tastebuds; it’s an experience in itself. It is seductive, enthralling, funky, hut-like, African influenced and astonishing, and that doesn’t even touch the surface. Elephant Walk screams: ‘I am different, and I am proud.’  Puddings, waffles, icecream sundaes, coffees, and spiders-, yes, spiders – the choices are never ending. The banana and chocolate waffles are a favourite, but why just commit yourself to one?  Elephant Walk has a quiet ambience about it. The dim, mood lighting and intimate booth-style is the perfect setting for that famous first date. Whoever said diamonds were a key to a woman’s heart were wrong, it’s chocolate!  So boys, if you know what’s good for you, take that special someone to Elephant Walk. You will be pleasantly surprised and delighted.  Amanda Smith

With a cherry on top, please! 

We all get those forbidden late night sweet cravings, but if you’re going to be naughty, then do it the right way! 

Maccas run? I think not. Once the clock ticks 8.00pm, slip on those uggies and head down to the Elephant Walk, a late night dessert restaurant that calls Melbourne Street its home. 

Elephant Walk is much more than a treat to the tastebuds; it’s an experience in itself. It is seductive, enthralling, funky, hut-like, African influenced and astonishing, and that doesn’t even touch the surface. Elephant Walk screams: ‘I am different, and I am proud.’ 

Puddings, waffles, icecream sundaes, coffees, and spiders-, yes, spiders – the choices are never ending. The banana and chocolate waffles are a favourite, but why just commit yourself to one? 

Elephant Walk has a quiet ambience about it. The dim, mood lighting and intimate booth-style is the perfect setting for that famous first date. Whoever said diamonds were a key to a woman’s heart were wrong, it’s chocolate! 

So boys, if you know what’s good for you, take that special someone to Elephant Walk. You will be pleasantly surprised and delighted. 

Amanda Smith

Love Adelaide is saying good bye to its current director Craig Hunter. We are undoubtedly losing a great visionary. His great passion to DEMONSTRATE REAL LOVE to Adelaide is only superseded by his big heart for people. Read More…

Love Adelaide is saying good bye to its current director Craig Hunter.

We are undoubtedly losing a great visionary. His great passion to DEMONSTRATE REAL LOVE to Adelaide is only superseded by his big heart for people. Read More…

The Villager Magazine is going online! Will be up this weekend!

—Emmeline Wood, Editor of The Villager Magazine