From Orient - 2013
From Orient is somewhat of a quiet achiever in Adelaide’s CBD. Winning numerous awards over the years, this finer dining Chinese restaurant should not be overlooked.
Monday night dinner with two good friends, they suggested From Orient. Armed with my trusty Entertainment Card, I was looking forward to a relaxed dinner after an arduous day’s work.
The restaurant, featuring floor-to-ceiling “birdcage” lights has a luxuriously exotic feel to it. The carefully laid out menu was overflowing with mouthwatering options - after much deliberation we opted for three entrees (to share) and a main each.
The house-made pancake rolls appeared first. An absolute standout - light pastry, filled with fresh veggies, the quality of the presentation certainly equaled the refreshing flavours. Who said pancakes had to be unhealthy?!
Up next, the pork wontons - three crispy, three poached. The crispy wonton was a major disappointment, severely lacking any distinct flavour, it was bland personified. Thankfully, the poached version was a vast improvement - silky smooth, well seasoned, with a clean broth - simple, but oh so compelling.
We also ordered the tofu spring rolls (not pictured). A light and crispy outer with a velvety smooth interior - simply satisfying!
For mains, I couldn’t look past the ribs. Stewed for twelve hours, the beef ribs were succulent and juicy, the meat sliding off the bone. Not the best ribs I’ve encountered (Lucky Lupitas owns the title), but still quite enjoyable.
Kat and Chanel ordered the Spicy Salt Calamari and the Beef with “tingling” sauce. Much like the crispy wontons, I found the calamari rather bland and tasteless - the girls seemed to enjoy it at least!
The beef stir-fry was a highlight - the meat was tender, combining beautifully with the green chilli and peppercorn - the spiciness of the dish was superb, I would happily order the dish on my next visit!
We also ordered a side of Chinese Broccoli - the dish was wonderfully crisp and flavorsome - perfect size for sharing! Never use dining out as an excuse to not eat your daily two and five!
The staff were impeccable - remarkably friendly and sociable, their knowledge of the menu was excellent.
The evening wasn’t without its flaws, but it was still a pleasant experience with an amazing atmosphere. I haven’t graced its closest competitor, Concubine, a visit in over a year - I’d be interested to see how the two compare, but for now - From Orient will definitely warrant another visit from yours truly.
Until next time, happy eats :)
