One of Adelaide’s most popular restaurants, Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar, is making a comeback.
Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar – the first restaurant opened by Andre Ursini – is making a comeback, five years after the popular venue closed its Frome Street doors.
But it’s here for a good time, not a long time, as a pop-up on Rymill Park Lake across from Gluttony’s Champagne Island during Adelaide Fringe.
Andre, who was the first MasterChef Australia contestant to open a restaurant following his appearance on the original 2009 season, will return some of his biggest hits from the Polenta Bar’s successful 10-year run.
“I get so many people who still come up to me and cite specific dishes they had there,” says Andre, who has since opened restaurants Orso, Lost Pheonix Farm and Villetta Porcini.
“I’ve gone back to the plates people still talk to me about – the meals that created special moments and lasting memories. They’re bold, comforting flavours that truly represent what the restaurant was about.”
Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar will run a $75 “menu fisso” or fixed menu – among the dishes on offer will be bagna cauda (vegetable crudites with warm anchovy sauce), beef carpaccio and, of course, the restaurant’s signature polenta.
“That’s what we became known for,” Andre says. There’ll be two versions – one with truffled mushroom, taleggio and basil pesto, and another with beef ragu.
The restaurant will join Botanic Lodge as the drawcard dining options at this year’s Champagne Island concept.
It will be open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday for the duration of the Fringe, from February 20-March 22.
