Red Poles

It’s days off before night shift. I’m ~~trying~~, well attempting to try, to save money for our Europe holiday in September. However I still want to go out with the other half for lunch as the weather is on point.

I reach for the Entertainment Book. I find a voucher for Red Poles at Mclaren Vale. Buy one lunch get one free. There is a god. I have heard great things about this place and today they were confirmed. This place was fantastic.

Red Poles offers a restaurant, gallery and cellar door all in one. There is ample seating outside on the grass surrounded by vines, lavender bushes and the shade of big trees. And then there is where we sat- in directors chairs (super comfy) on the gorgeous covered in verandah.

When I saw that they stocked Dr Pilkingtons cider on the drinks menu and tasting flights of Vale Ale, we knew we were in for a good time.

After spending a long while looking at the menu we settled on a starter of Brian’s olives, Ellis Jamon, Strout Farm almonds and Ellis chorizo. The olives were warm and a little bit spicy, but oh so very delicious. There was ample jamon and chorizo on the plate and the almonds tied the whole platter in together. They pride themselves on using local produce, and this showed in the platter alone.

The main menu consists of 4 options. You might think that’s a bit skint on choice but to be honest when the food is this good they don’t need any more options. They even cater for vegetarians with a gnocchi on the menu. My partner and I both settled on the same dish as we can’t go past a good steak. We had the SA grass fed eye fillet with brisket pastilla, baby onions, horseradish and confit garlic butter topped with kale chips with a side of potatoes.

The steak was flavoursome. The garlic butter was chunky and plentiful. I almost died when I saw pickled onions on the plate. The brisket pastilla melted in my mouth and left me wanting more. The kale chips were crunchy and the perfect combination with the softness of the brisket. Oh and the potatoes on the side. I thought we wouldn’t need them- and to be honest we didn’t, but I am very glad we ordered them as they were bursting full of flavour.