Celsius Restaurant and Bar, Gouger St, Adelaide

Celsius Restaurant and Bar, Gouger St, Adelaide

Opened in 2010 and appearing at #65 in the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards: The top 100, Celsius is a dramatic and appealing addition to the many eateries on Gouger Street.

Head Chef Ayhan Erkoc is a young man with the creativity, talent and deft touch some veteran chefs can only dream of.  His restaurant Celsius embodies his vision; serving organic, fresh and unique dishes that mesmerise the senses.

Unable to decide on what to order, both myself and my partner opted for the eight course degustation menu. At only $120 ($180 if you include matching wines), we couldn’t go pass it. 

Every course was exquisite.

If I had to pick a favourite it would be the caramelised veal sweet breads with forest mushroom, hazelnut and parsnip. The sweet, sticky and gorgeously tender sweetbread was delightfully complimented by the earthy mushrooms and wholesome parsnip. This exquisitely mouth-watering dish was a highlight, and most definitely something I will have again.

I was astounded by the cheese course. Besace Chévre Affine, beetroot, ash, onion, smoke. A smoke filled dome was brought to the table. With a flourish, the dome is removed and aromatic smoke wafts towards you. The smell of something sweet; beetroot, onion and a very rich cheese permeates your senses. The plate is simple and elegant, white cheese dusted in ash, offset by the bright beetroot and miniature caramelised onion rings, edges intentionally burnt. Tiny vivid flowers, delicately placed, finish the dish to creative beauty.

Desert sounded like a simple affair. Carrot, rosemary, beer, walnut, ricotta. This neatly presented desert demonstrated how a simple vegetable can be turned into a gastronomic feast. A moist, rich carrot cake surrounded by gels and jelly was offset by the bittersweet candied rosemary and rosemary sorbet. Crumbled ricotta added a depth of texture while the bed of beer foam finished the delicate flavour of the dish. 

I must commend the excellent and professional manner of the General Manager and waiting staff. I informed our waiter that I was allergic to nuts and he assured me that I would be given either alternate meals or the same with the offending items omitted. Unfortunately, as accidents do occur, half way through our evening (and the sublime sweetbreads) I happened across a nut puree on my plate. There could not have been more apologies. Not only did the staff immediately hover until they were sure my health was fine (oh how anaphylaxis can ruin your dinner…not this time though) and provide another plate of sweetbreads, the general manager apologised in person and brought a complementary cheese course, petit fours, and coffee for myself and my partner. I have never been to a restaurant where such a mistake has been so graciously amended. 

For this alone, we will return to Celsius