After the thrill of exploring Kangaroo Island we arrive at Kingscote airport for our short flight to Adelaide airport where we’ll stay the night. The flight is a mere 20 minutes and after arriving in Adelaide, we check into the Medina Grand Treasury, a heritage listed sandstone building which was originally the office for the State Treasury. And did you know that the Beatles ran through the courtyard of the building in 1964 to elude fans?
The location is very good, right next to the Town Hall and opposite the GPO and Mr NQN and I go upstairs to room 56, a lovely suite overlooking King William street and Victoria Square. More of an apartment than a hotel room there are nice touches reminiscent of Parisian apartment with large windows, elegant colours and Louis XVI style chairs. There is also a kitchen and mini bar. The bathroom has a shower bath combination and toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. Internet is fast although pricey at $24.95 for 24 hours and you can connect up to two devices. But no time to explore as we’re expected downstairs for dinner!
We all craved something casual, spicy and lighter for our final night so Philip sought the advice of Ann Oliver who recommended the Chinese at Citi Zen. Now a Chinese restaurant inside an Irish pub might not be what you would expect. This one has a striking Chinese lantern lighting feature in the centre of the room and a walk over fish pond underneath it.
We take a seat at the enormous table with the lazy Susan in the centre and the task falls to me to order. I’m worried about choosing because I’ve never been here before so I don’t necessarily know what to order and there are so many tastes to cater for! I want to order everything from the back pages (i.e. the freaky exotic selection) but we come to a mix of items that would hopefully please most.
Prawn dumplings $10 for 3
No meal is complete without dumplings of some sort and we go for the yum cha selection with steamer trays full of scallop, chive and spinach dumplings. The prawn dumplings, pricier than at lunchtime yum cha are nevertheless excellent. The prawns in them generously portioned and juicy and fresh although the outer skin was a tad floury.
Chive dumplings $10 for 3
The chive dumplings are always a favourite of mine and these don’t let down and surprisingly the outer skin on these aren’t floury at all, they have that appealing thinness and light stickiness. The filling is well seasoned and moreish.
Spinach dumplings $10 for 3
The square spinach dumplings weren’t bad although out of the chive and the spinach I preferred the chive.
Shanghai wonton soup $40
With so many of us sporting colds and flu, a big serve of the won ton soup was ordered. It is usually served in a large pot but these were ladled out into small bowls by the kitchen with a half a boiled chicken that we fished out and pulled apart and ate-waste not! The won tons inside were excellent and full of flavour.
Chicken and Cashew nuts $18
A request for chicken and cashew nuts was made by Dick who said that he loves cashews and it’s a nice dish with tender chicken pieces, carrot and celery (perhaps a bit too much celery for me) and a sprinkling of cashew nuts on top.
Mixed vegetables $13
We thought that we’d order two types of vegetables as we had been eating so richly and we fell upon both vegetable dishes. They are well cooked and simply done with a good variety. No complaints here.
Seasonal Chinese vegetables $13
There’s something about gleaming green Chinese greens that is so soothing and welcoming when just served simply with oyster sauce. I enjoyed these on top of the rice.
Special fried rice $12
There were a few kinds of fried rice and we chose the special one which had prawns although I would have preferred a bit more char siew or Chinese sausage.
Salted egg yolk prawns $28
OK this was my controversial choice – not controversial in itself because salted egg batter is delicious but I didn’t realise that they would be serving these head and shell on and battered which was a tad too much for some. I really liked them, especially the heads which were packed with flavour but I felt bad because some didn’t like these as much (and to be honest I think salted egg yolk batter is best on crab.
Fried stuffed tofu $22
Two tofu dishes were chosen in an effort to select lighter choices (classics like crab and Peking Duck voted out as we wanted a quick, light meal). The fried tofu was stuffed with prawn meat and fried and served as squares with a glossy, sweet sauce on top.
Pipa tofu $22
Pipa tofu is my favourite tofu dish and every time my parents buy in takeaway, it is my one request. Pipa tofu is soft tofu mixed with Chinese sausage and scallops and then fried and covered in a delicious sauce. And I must say that the serve of this is enormous and the pipa tofu hits the spot like no other dish.
There’s complimentary dessert, a fruit plate and some delicious sago and coconut jelly wedges and some mango jelly wedges too. It was just what we needed and we take the quick walk back to the hotel where we collapse into bed and sleep like babies. A most fitting and nice way to end our South Australia trip!
So tell me Dear Reader, when you order, do you choose from the “freaky exotic” back pages or the regular mainstream list? And do you like the free fruit at the end or do you also order dessert at Chinese restaurants?
NQN and Mr NQN travelled to and explored South Australia as a guest of the South Australian Tourism Commission and Audi
Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury
2 Flinders St Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: +61 (08) 8112 0000
CitiZen
401 King William Street Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: +61 (08)8212 8383
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32 Comments | Add your own
Interesting review, thank you! The salted egg crumb is my favourite too, but I’m astonished at the price of the wonton soup – even for a big bowl, $40 seems a lot!
The first time I took the Glam Teens to Hong Kong I ordered from the “Freaky exotic” pages. I wanted them to try everything – snake, chickens feet ( which I love) and 1000 year old eggs. But dumplings are my favourite. GG
I love getting an education in Chinese food from you. I’ve never had salted egg yolk prawns nor Pipa Tofu. Will try both if ever exposed to them. All the dumplings look great.
I’m definitely the “freaky exotic” type–and no, I usually dont order desserts in Chinese (or Indian) restaurants, though I do love those tiny Chinese dumplings filled with black sesame paste in sweet ginger broth. Yum.
It’s always lovely when you walk into your hotel room and it’s more than just a hotel room. I love the Chinese light fitting with the walk-over fish tank – great ideas. What a variety of food! Definitely something for everyone there. I like ordering a wide variety of dishes and it’s good to try new things it’s just sometimes when they come out you can be shocked like you were expecting the meat cooked but it’s presented raw! xx
Hi Lorraine, it’s a lot of pressure when you are given the task of ordering as it can be tricky ordering to keep everyone happy. I love salty egg and would have happily tucked into the prawns head and all! We generally order from the regular section when with family although having said that when we are with friends we’ve ordered what I think are regular dishes but they have deemed to be exotic…I guess it’s what you are use to eating. At Chinese restaurants after a usually bug meal with family we like to have fruit.
I mean big not bug
Having lived in Adelaie almost all of my life, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never been to Citi Zen, even though its been around for ages. From the look of this I’ll have to get there!
Sounds like a great trip NQN. I’ve never head of pipa tofu before but will look out for it from now on!
This post in weirdly coincidental! I live in Adelaide and have been having weird coincidences with this restaurant being brought up all week! I’m thinking it’s a sign to go there, no? (;
My husband is famous among friends for ordering unique items from the menu…and they all remember one outing which ended with quite fortune (good thing they were all close friends). I on the other hand like similar things all the time, so we’re both on the extreme end. I do not necesarily like the fruits (choice is not my favorite) but I do love warm soup that some restaurants serve. I get extra happy when kids decide not to drink it then I get 3 bowls of sweet soup.
If no soup, we’d go to some dessert place afterwards. By the way, I agree with you about fried rice, and salted egg yolk preference. 
If this is Sunday, Lorraine will have a moreish post
! That goes without saying!! Like the contrast of the old building and modern setup: looks practical and pleasant. Love the dinner menu, especially the look of all of the dumplings, and, oh those wonderful tofu dishes, especially the pipa tofu 
! Have never had it, would so like to taste!! And the Chinese vegetables 
! And the complimentary fruit plate is exactly up my alley, as I don’t normally order dessert in Chinese restaurants. As to what to order: I believe in balance – so it would be some known, but CERTAINLY dishes I do not know but are special or recommended on order 
! Thank you for a fab Sunday post, Lorraine – you have made the beginning of my day!
Have you tried salted egg yolk squid? It’s really delicious.
i have been to Citi Zen in Adelaide and the Peking Duck is fabulous. it is for 2 although it would feed three or we have had it when a group of ten with other dishes… i highly recommend it
I remember frequenting this place when it was an Irish pub so I am not sure I could think of it the same as a Chinese Restaurant…although the food does look pretty good!
I think I’d enjoy Citi Zen but I’ll admit that I’m not a hugely freaky diner. I’m much better doing that at home and then if I hate it I don’t have to eat it.
I always look to order something I haven’t tried. So its safe to say I go for the “freaky exotic”.
The jelly wedges sound amazing!
The wanton soup and fried rice look so good to me.Australia has so much to offer…..hoping to make a trip next year. Lets see.
In the name of all that is holy, when will Australia cotton on to the fact that not having free wifi in hotels IS TERRIBLE AND MAKES TOURISTS HATE US. And makes me hate us. Ugh. Though our hotel in Rutherglen had free wifi, so that was win.
Love the food – it looks so fresh and bright.
The Boy and I definitely go for the back page. If there is something on the menu either one of us haven’t tried before….we simply HAVE to order it.
Gorgeous…
Ohhh I am loving that chair!!!
And those dumplings.. Hungry.
YOu know I have never tried spinach dumpling, need to try these..
Wow….I have been living in Adelaide since 2004 and have never heard of this place. It’s twice the price of anywhere else which is probably why. Outrageous prices by Adelaide standards….try somewhere else next time!
Sounds like a fun trip my friend, this restaurant being a highlight – it has lovely presentation and awesome flavours
Love the lights, it looks gorgeous!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Great tip for a central Adelaide hotel it looks lovely and love the look of the dumplings as well.
Hotel room did look nice. shame you probably didn’t even get to see it really. A nice variety of dishes. i really like the look of those prawns. people can be so unadventurous and i hate ordering for a group of people because of this. You did well
I want to try dumplings!
The chive dumplings… oh, they do look sublime, along with all other dishes. I love salted egg yolk prawns/crabs too. And I understand with the whole shell on thing. I prefer my prawns whole… heads and all.
Depending on which restaurant or whom I go with, I’d choose the non-mainstream dishes. But very often I find they’re written in Chinese. And my Chinese is pretty much non-existent.
I rarely order dessert at Chinese restaurant because I’m normally very full at the end, but I suppose, a platter of fresh fruits would be alright
Those prwns look good to me..
We ate crocodile at Liu Rose in North Strathfield on Saturday.
We were out with some family members we dont see often, thankfully they are almost as food mad as us & it was so nice to be able to order “weird” food & have everyone at the table be enthusiastic.
I’m not quite adventurous enough to order from the exotic end but one day…
I wouldn’t have expected the prawns to be fried in full form either! I guess it saves on work for them.
what’s up with the prices of the dumplings!?
WOW $40 for wontons? That’s just about the most expensive wontons I’ve seen…:O In China, wonton soup is a cheap staple dish that just about every family knows how to make…just doesn’t seem right! :/
The dishes do look yummy though.
I’m glad Adelaide didn’t disappoint! I am tempted to go there now, especially to try the pipa tofu. I’ve never had free fruit at the end of my meal, but then again, I rarely eat out at Chinese restaurants.
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