Food Drink

New Restaurant And Bar: Inside The Den, The City’s Seriously Stylish New Bistro

By Jil Hogan

Posted on January 8, 2019

Located right in the heart of town, it’s a casual bistro with all-day dining, top quality food and drink, and a seriously stylish fit-out.

We may only be a couple of days into 2019, but Adelaide has already welcomed its newest venue.

Located right in the heart of town at the Mayfair Hotel, The Den is a casual bistro with all-day dining, top quality food and drink, and a seriously stylish fit-out.

It’s the third venue for the inner city boutique hotel, joining chic rooftop bar Hennessy, and the upmarket Mayflower Restaurant.

Head down the sweeping staircase from reception and you won’t be able to miss it, sitting just outside Mayflower.

The space has been given a luxurious fit-out, a contemporary take on the hotel’s glamorous art deco styling. Darker tones are lifted by a dramatic mirror-tiled wall, and lit overhead by iconic Louis Poulsen Ph ‘artichoke’ lights. The fit-out was done by Adelaide’s Pinnacle, who are also behind venues like The Noble Gentleman, The Bavarian, Betty’s Burgers and Jamie’s Italian.

Open 10am-10pm daily, you can sink into an emerald green suede booth for anything from a morning coffee, to a casual lunch or dinner, an afternoon cake and cuppa, or just a relaxed glass of wine.

The menu includes simple but high-quality bistro options, ranging from snacks and oysters, to lighter dishes great for sharing, hand-held snacks and more heartier meals.

The ‘Something Light’ section will get you kingfish sashimi, locally sourced, served up with a gentle soy dressing plus a kick of green chilli, or fennel South Australian king prawns, grilled in the shell, served with steamed rice.

Or you can wrap your hands and mouth around a gourmet steak sandwich, served on a soft brioche bun with a premium cut of beef, beetroot relish, melted cheese and onion rings with a satisfying crunch.

For more substantial lunch or dinner options, there’s chicken salad with prosciutto, rocket and charred stone fruit, the confit duck leg with peas and speck resting on a dijon cream sauce, a crispy pork belly with crunchy salad, green mango and Thai dressing, or the eye-catching traditional veal schnitzel, served topped with a fried egg and anchovy.

If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be able to miss the decadent display of gateaux and pastries on the way in. All made in-house, it’s The Den’s take on the Mayflower Restaurant’s famous dessert trolley. With full table service, it’s a cosy spot to settle in for a luxe afternoon coffee and cake.

The Den is open seven days with all day dining, from 10am – 10pm. For more, click here.