Tag: Adelaide

The Arkaba Hotel, part of the Hurley Hotel Group, is the first venue in South Australia to introduce ‘Quiet Dinners’ on the first Monday of every month, as a result of a partnership between Autism SA and the Australian Hotels Association SA who are working together to make South Australian venues more inclusive and accessible.

Almost 60% of autistic people and their families avoid going to pubs and bars. Bright lights, loud noises, crowded venues, and overpowering smells can all add to a sensory overload for people on the spectrum. 

To make dining out more accessible and inclusive for the Autistic community, the Quiet Dinners will take place on the first Monday of each month from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. 

A section of the venue will have lights dimmed, a reduced volume of music, a private bar to order from, and the dinners will be located in a place where people can easily enter and exit without having to walk through crowds.

Hurley Hotel Group Publican, Anna Hurley, is looking forward to launching the first Quiet Dinner on Monday.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people to our first Quiet Dinner and provide them with a calm and welcoming space to enjoy a classic pub meal with their friends and family,” Anna said. 

Autism SA’s CEO Helen Graham says it is a great initiative to help the Autistic community feel more welcomed, comfortable and importantly, included.  

“Many people don’t think twice about going out for dinner, but for the Autistic community it can be an overwhelming experience. The Quiet Dinner at the Arkaba could make all the difference for someone who might otherwise choose to stay at home, it allows them to participate and be included.”

Australian Hotels Association SA CEO Anna Moeller says that pubs have always been a reflection of our community.  

“They are a place where people congregate, celebrate and sometimes even commiserate.  

“The Quiet Night dining experience being pioneered by the Arkaba is an opportunity to make the hotel experience more inclusive and accessible to as many in our community as possible,” says Ms Moeller.

Assistant Minister for Autism Emily Bourke says initiatives like the new Arkaba ‘Quiet Dinners’ will build knowledge of autism and help the autistic and autism communities better enjoy what many take for granted – enjoying a pub meal with friends and family.

“I am constantly hearing from families the difficulties they face in being able to attend a venue or event as a family unit and from autistic adults about having sensory inclusive environments to go out and celebrate a birthday or special event.”

Arkaba Quiet Dinners start on Monday 5 February 2024, head here to book. 

Overlooking beautiful Hurtle Square, A Prayer for the Wild at Heart takes inspiration from Tennessee Williams’ play The Stairs to the Roof, embodying the Wild at Heart misfits who don’t quite fit within the confines of convention.

Located on the ground floor of Hurtle & Co, the space is fitted with modern and refined finishings and opulent creature comforts, like sound engineering and plush banquettes.

Mornings are filled with the aromatics of coffee grounds and fresh croissants, whilst lunch and dinner sees a transition into a beautifully bold brasserie.

Like its award-winning sister business, coffee roastery My Kingdom for a Horse, A Prayer for the Wild at Heart is the brainchild of Emily Raven, who saw the CBD worthy of a great neighbourhood restaurant.

Head Chef Stéphane Brizard brings his French heritage and extensive experience into the kitchen, with beautifully executed brasserie classics and the best of what is in season from SA.  

Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, Mathilde Tytgat utilises her expertise in wine and service to present a drinks list that showcases an impressive selection of evolving local and international wines, gins and spirits.

Careful waste management, conscientious sourcing of ingredients and packaging are all part of this business, whose ethos lives and breathes sustainable practice and care for community.

A Prayer for the Wild at Heart – Open: Mon & Tues, 7am-4pm | Wed-Fri, 7am-late | Sat & Sun, 8am-late (closed public holidays) | 44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide SA | 08 7221 2249

Mamacita, a new concept in Mexican cuisine and drink, has opened at TRYP by Wyndham on Pulteney Street, setting itself up to become a hot new destination for foodies and bar goers.

If you’re a tequila afficionado its where you’ll want to be, with shelves devoted to a collection of more than 50 tequilas (and climbing).

Guests can choose from an enviable range of margaritas – or to build their own – and to heat their meal with chilli sauces featured on a scale ranging from mild to eye-wateringly hot, one of which requires a waiver to taste.

Mexican classics including delicious tacos, quesadillas, nachos, chipotle marinated chicken, chicken wings and pork ribs all feature on the menu, alongside more adventurous choices for the gastronome: carne asada with 12-hour slow roasted and marinated scotch fillet, cured king fish in lemon and lime, and yuca fries made from the yuca root, commonly found in South America and the Pacific.

The mouthwatering menu has been created by Director of Food and Beverage, Valentin Corchado, a food and beverage leader with extensive experience across Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, and Chef Somerled Mackay, who lived in South America for several years before settling in Adelaide.

“The team at Mamacita has done extensive research into what makes the most flavoursome food, picked out some truly incredible and distinctive tequilas, and experimented with the best food and drink combinations to develop culinary itineraries capable of taking guests on a journey,” says Chef Corchado.

“Mamacita is set to bring some spice to the Mexican scene in Adelaide and we know guests will be impressed”.

Alongside the plentiful tequilas, Mamacita offers mezcals, which feature a scrumptious smokiness developed during the distillation process.

The Mamacita bar is capable of hosting events for up to 120 people and features private areas ideal for smaller groups.

Breakfast and lunch feature a smaller menu and are served inside TRYP at the ground floor, with dinner served from the restaurant and bar on the first level of the hotel.

See more on Mamacita here.