Nola

by Jonathan Phoon (subscribe)

Located on Vardon Avenue near Rundle Street, Nola is where you can enjoy New Orleans cuisine alongside a good range of alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. It is known to get very busy on Fridays and weekend nights so arriving early is advised if you don't want to wait too long for a table.

One of the dishes that the bar is known for, their Fried Chicken was very juicy with the crisp coating contrasting well with the flesh. We thought the coating of the Spicy Chicken was crispier compared to the Classic version, with the spicy butter adding a spicy hit that was not too hot. Garlic aioli accompanied the chicken as a dipping sauce.




Their Cajun Roasted Cauliflower still retained a bit of bite and the combination of Cajun spices and sweet sherry vinaigrette made them taste quite moreish. We were able to have the blue cheese omitted as we are not too fond of its flavour. Completing the dish were almonds to provide a bit of crunch.



A dish typically associated with southern United States cuisine, their Cornbread was light and fluffy and was baked sufficiently to give the top a bit of a golden-brown colour. It was also brushed with maple bourbon butter to ensure it was not too dry and also imparted a hint of sweetness.



As its name suggests, the Spicy Corn Ribs featured corn cut in a fashion to make them resemble ribs. This made them easy to eat. The spicy garlic butter and spices complemented the sweetness of the corn well. We were able to have the Parmesan cheese omitted as my father is not fond of its taste.



Another dish that is associated with New Orleans cuisine, the Po'boy range refers to a type of sandwich in which various fillings are served in a small baguette roll. The pulled pork we picked was very juicy and the barbeque sauce gave it a distinctive smoky flavour. Some freshness was provided by the lettuce, green apple and tomato. Jalapeno aioli provided a hint of heat.



The texture of the rice in the Creole Jambalaya was not too gluggy. The house-cured tasso ham and smoked chicken gave the dish a delectable smoky flavour. The dish had a delightful spiced flavour. While the prawns were cooked just right, we thought there could have been a bit more of them. A topping of sour cream acted as a foil to the spiced flavour.



The pickled green tomato that was a key part of the Pickled Green Tomato Salad had a delectable tangy flavour which was balanced by the fresh tomatoes, capsicum and cucumber. A dressing made from the pickling juice from jalapenos added a bit of heat and sourdough croutons added a crunchy element to the salad. Its fresh flavour makes it a good foil to their stronger-tasting dishes.



Compared to French Beignets which are made from choux pastry, New Orleans Beignets are made from a more typical doughnut batter and are usually shaped into rectangular blocks. Nola's Beignets were fried to golden brown and had a fluffy texture. The dusting of icing sugar made them look eye-catching. Served with the Beignets was a butterscotch sauce that included bourbon whiskey for a hint of alcoholic flavour.



For something unique to enjoy with your dishes, there is the Smoked Ginger Lemonade. The lemonade did not taste too sweet and enough ginger was included to provide the characteristic gingery flavour without being too overpowering. Decorating the drink was a skewer of a candied lemon slice and candied ginger.



The décor of the bar gave it a cosy feel. Diners have the choice of either indoor or outdoor seating. If you are looking for a bar in the CBD offering good food different from the usual fare, consider giving Nola a visit.

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When: Tues – Thurs: 4pm – 12am, Fri – Sat: 12pm – 2am, Sun: 12pm – 12am

Website: https://www.nolaadelaide.com

Where: 28 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide, SA

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