If you’ve ever been to the Adelaide Hills, chances are you’ve had that “I could live here” moment. Its beautiful rolling landscape is a place that has long captured the imagination of artisans, foodies, and creatives who want to escape the city.
Chef Andre Ursini knows this well. Making your name on kitchen master, before building a legacy at Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar, he has since opened Orso restaurant, with Willmott’s Gastronomia deli next door, and Villetta Porcini multi-dimensional culinary concept in Adelaide Hills.
“I grew up in the foothills of the Adelaide Hills,” says Ursini, who now calls the small town of Mylor home. “The Hills hold some of Australia’s best kept secrets. It is a wonderful lifestyle. There’s been an explosion of amazing food and beverage experiences, and lots of great retail options.”
We asked Ursini to highlight a selection of her personal favourites.
STORE
three birds
You never know what you’ll find at this eclectic food and gift shop in the heart of Stirling. “It’s the kind of store where, if you’re on vacation, you spend 45 minutes there and you always find something to take home,” says Ursini. “It’s full of artisan products and small batch foods, all of incredible quality. My wife especially loves it. They also have amazing pickles and preserves, from their own Up the Hill label.”
TO DRINK
Ambleside Distillers
Walking down the tree-lined main street of Hahndorf, proclaimed “Australia’s oldest German town,” is like walking into a European-themed movie set. Nestled between heritage facades and German theatrics is Ambleside Distillers, where founder Matt Dickson uses local botanicals to make a distinctive Adelaide Hills gin.
“Walking around Hahndorf is a bit like being at a performance,” says Ursini, “so it’s good to take a break and have a cheeky G&T. Matt is a former carpenter and is always up for stories. He did a beautiful wood panel design on the building, and the staff are passionate about the drinks they make.”
EAT
fred’s restaurant
Located in Aldgate, a small satellite town of Stirling, Fred Eatery has an ever-changing, Asian-influenced menu with a focus on local ingredients. There’s also an attached home goods store called Fred Living, and the stylish space includes a mezzanine lounge, library, and patio. Dogs are also welcome.
“Fred Eatery is all about freshness and quality,” says Ursini. “They do really good food and they only know hospitality. There are always different cakes on their counter and the coffee is excellent. It would fit perfectly in the CBD of a capital city. I stop there all the time for cake and coffee.”
hokey pokey
When Hokey Pokey Ice Cream Parlor says it sources locally grown produce for its artisan ice cream, you can be sure they mean it. Locals are invited to donate any leftover fruit from their properties, and Hokey Pokey will make ice cream out of whatever comes in. Don’t be surprised to see residents leaving boxes of plums, lemons, rhubarb and freshly cut herbs. Biodynamic milk and cream come from South Australia’s own organic Paris Creek farms.
“One to watch out for is mandarin sorbet,” says Ursini. “My daughter is obsessed with it. They also do a great variety of old-school candy, chocolates and lollipops.”
porcini house
In Mylor Valley, where wild mushrooms flourish, lies a stone cabin nestled within an enchanted forest. This is André Ursini’s Villetta Porcini.
Some call it an “anti-restaurant”. There is no website, no opening hours and getting a reservation can take over a year. After registering a request for dinner, wait for an invitation to arrive in the mail (yes, the real mail). From there, you have seven days to reach the foothills, where you will follow a winding road through butterfly glades and pine trees to this fairytale setting.
“It really captured people’s imaginations,” says Ursini. “They transport you and you never want to leave.”
Eating here tells you what Ursini loves about the Adelaide Hills. There is an abundance of fruit and vegetables growing in the gardens, the air is crisp and the Italian-inspired food pays homage to Ursini’s first restaurant in Adelaide, Andre’s Cucina.
“It’s like walking into a house and experiencing genuine hospitality,” says Ursini. “I love being able to show people this amazing place.”
REMAIN
Tinyhome Bridgewater Private Getaway
If there was one place to stay that reflects Ursini’s vision of warm, personalized hospitality, it’s this chic, minimalist country retreat for two.
Tinyhome is in the middle of an organic farm, so expect the cows to keep you company. A wooden platform links three separate buildings: a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. The space may be small, but it doesn’t skimp on the comforts of home, including a queen-size bed, yoga mats, a coffee machine, and a fire pit for chilly nights. The kitchen even comes stocked with locally sourced craft beer, wine, and breakfast provisions.
“I love the idea of little cabins in places that feel remote, even though this place is only 20 minutes from the CBD,” says Ursini. “It’s pretty special.”
This article is produced by Broadsheet in association with American Express and its Shop Small program, encouraging Australians to support small businesses while traveling within the country. Learn more about Shop Small.