The Little Rickshaw

Our reaction after we finally managed to score a table ... OMG - what an amazing feast that was!

Given how spoilt we are for choice for fine dining in the McLaren Vale region, this reaction of ours does really mean something.

The old area of Aldinga is quickly changing into a relaxed dining and shopping district; it is where you find the original shop of the Home Grain Bakery, as well as Maxwell's Grocery (and Cafe) plus a taphouse (Kick Back Brewing), the newly renovated Aldinga Hotel and Fall from Grace (a wine bar & bottle shop). 

All offering an opportunity for grabbing a bite to eat or cheeky drink (and therewith having a great back-up in case you try your luck to score a walk-in only table on the front lawn of The Little Rickshaw). 

And if you are after a bit of retail therapy, there is Miss Gladys on Sea and a few other small shops.

But back to The Little Rickshaw: tucked away in an old tin shed (they even call themselves a "tin shed eatery", rather than a restaurant) and only about 100 m from the (relative) buzz at the round-about , it is pretty unassuming from the outside - and the rustic and simple charm continues inside; clearly, the focus here is about the food.

It is all South-East Asian (and mostly Vietnamese) food here - traditional favourites and many more with a modern take on it. All bursting with flavour and colour.

On our first visit, we have just picked a few small and large plates between the two of us, from kingfish sashimi, pork & cabbage shumai and glazed eggplant, to kim chi fried rice and more. 

All a feast for the eyes and absolutely delicious.

We certainly had a hard time deciding on the favourite - and on our next visit, we took the easy way out and simply chose the Feed Me menu. Amazing value and the food just kept coming. Not a single dish to disappoint.

And for those on a gluten-free diet - that was probably the first time that all of us on the table almost envied Friederike: her gluten-free dishes (when the original wasn't available as gluten-free) was anything but a 'poor' substitute but looked as intriguing (and tasted as delicious) as everything else.

In short - if you are a lover of Asian food, enjoy a rustic atmosphere for a casual lunch or dinner - this is the place to go. 

And if you don't fancy Asian food - give it a try and you will be converted. Promised