Sunday night in Carrickalinga and the doc suggests we venture out for dinner which means Normanville, Yankalilla or further afield and mostly slim pickings. Beautiful part of the world but not a gourmet haven, specially for dinner.
I mentioned that Todd the butcher in Normie had told me that the Peninsula was probably the best meal available at this time so we booked and turned up hoping he was right!
I must say that this is probably the only place in the district that actually has a water view, and it is spectacular. Watching the sunset over Normanville is truly beautiful.
Considering that Todd had said the meals were large, we settled in and ordered 2 main courses (rack of lamb for doc and a rare scotch fillet for me) and a bottle of McLaren vale red.
Our wine came out quickly, the two meals took about 50 mins and the place although busy was not packed. I cut into my steak which looked nothing like a scotch fillet and more like a small piece of thinly cut rump to discover it was well and truly well done, anymore and it would have been considered cremated. Served with a so-so pepper sauce and a non seasoned mash and insipid watery veggies. The docs lamb was tiny, three small overcooked lamb cutlets looking lonely on a largish plate. He swore the sauce was out of a packet!
Called the waitress over, a lovely Irish lass from Donegal who agreed that the meat was not as advertised and at $39.90 an expensive disaster and offered to replace the meal. We did decline as we were keen to get an early night and didn't want to hang around for another 50 mins waiting for the replacement. To their credit we were not charged for my meal.
Would we return? No way, although its a real pity, the place has potential and a view to die for. Charging top dollar for sub standard meals is not my idea of a great night out.
The two stars are for the view and for the lovely Irish waitress! read more