We were walking towards Rundle Mall after spending a fraction of the afternoon in Victoria Square, exploring Central Market and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, and swung by Nic & Rocco for a late snack.
Nic & Rocco is a small espresso bar situated on Rundle Mall and although it may be as such, the cafe provides a unique array of savory and saccharine desserts such as cronuts (a blend of croissant and doughnuts), quiches and muffins. I love the way how the owner had organized the seating arrangements; garden tables were placed in such a way that it wouldn't hinder the queue for order and how the person could sit by the window, sipping a hot drink while watching the people sprint by or even casually investing his time in reading a book.
Small Cappuccino (AUD$3.50) didn't arrive with a stencil; it instead had a comfortable dash of chocolate powder on the foam. It lacked the coffee flavor that I'm accustomed to: that thick punch when one has the first sip, but it contained enough caffeine to keep me surviving through the entire evening.
Flourless Orange and Lime Cake (AUD$2.50) was a tad bit sacchariferous for the both of us, but we believe that the reason lies with the amount of oranges and lime used as balancing elements. The aftertaste of lime punctuated the air that it left hints of lime on my palate, overriding the beautiful zing of oranges. The best part is that it is gluten free and more than suitable for anyone who is allergic to wheat.
Flourless Almond Biscuit (AUD$2.00) had a sweet tang to it, especially with the fragrance of the almond melting in the mouth. Like the Orange and Lime Cake, this biscuit is gluten free as well and contains more piquancy than saccharine.
Nic & Rocco,
6 Rundle Mall,
Adelaide,
SA 5000,
Australia
You're in Adelaide? I've got friends there!
ReplyDeleteYup, suituapui. =) I'm in Adelaide now. ^^
DeleteNever been to Adelaide, only been to Sydney.. hehe..
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool, Hayley! =) I haven't been to Sydney myself, but I heard that it bears the remnants of KL?
Deletewow... you celebrating CNY in Adelaide ??
ReplyDeleteLooks so yummy!
I wish, Chris, but the truth is that I'm here for undergraduate studies.... not just for the CNY season. =)
DeleteOh dear Adelaide. I wish to return one day soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting populated by the international students, Yum List. I take it that you're an Adelaidean? ^^
Deletei remember the rundle mall area, cos i was in adelaide for a friend's wedding in 2003 and spent a week living in a hostel nearby :) i don't remember nic & rocco, but i guess i wasn't into coffee much back then :D hope all is going well with you in every way :)
ReplyDeleteI think the outlook of Rundle Mall is different now because of the upgrading works and stuffs, but it can't differ much, right? Anyway, I doubt Nic & Rocco would've been in Rundle Mall in 2003... it looks like a cafe that hasn't been around for long. Uhh, yeah, things are finally smoother now, Sean. Thanks. =)
DeleteYou will be celebrating CNY in Adelaide? Enjoy ya.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yee Ling, but not only this CNY. =O I'll be spending at least 4 Chinese New Year season here; there's nothing much compared to back home; no liveliness or the yee sang feel...
DeleteYes yes yes!! Aussie posts finally!!
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing a lot of gluten free this, gluten free that lately. What exactly does that mean??
Hahahaha, especially after such a long time waiting for it, right, CL. ^^
DeleteWell, I think gluten free means wheat free. Some people are allergic to gluten as their bodies are unable to process it and end up treating it as invader. You know, like lactose-intolerant?
I can't wait to go back for a visit! Adelaide is a great city.
ReplyDeleteFrom what friends and acquaintances said, it is a perfect city for studies. How true it is, I've no idea and it remains to be seen... but it definitely does not have the hype and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Yum List. =)
DeleteOh I miss Adelaide~ My home for almost 2 years... Still is my home in my heart.
ReplyDeleteNic and Rocco!! You see any one of them? Handsome guys hehehe... Not sure they still have their macaroon shop at Chinatown or not. Rocco was there that time. Eye candy!! ;p
Happy CNY to you!
Nope, Irene, I doubt I saw either one of them... but then again, I wouldn't be sure if I actually saw them, lol. I had a quick peek at their website and nope, the one in Chinatown is closed. The one in Tea Tree Plaza is open, though. =)
DeleteHappy CNY to you too! =)
Well... Adelaide can be boring at times but with great friends around, involving in all sort of activities in uni, it won't be that bad. Many great places to explore too. Definitely not for partying but great for good food and wine and pretty views, clean air, clean city. Very safe. I am never worry about my safety there however still have to take precaution, then again it's one of the safest place.
ReplyDeleteNic & Rocco shoot to fame when they won My Kitchen Rules back in 2011 or 2012 if not mistaken. Never miss the series. They are from Adelaide and made Adelaide proud.
Even MasterChef winner of 2011 or 2012 also from Adelaide. He came to my workplace to dine before.
Hehehe... Can't figure out whether it's 2011 or 2012 as that's the time I was there.
If you are looking for party, just go to Melbourne, not too far away.
The city's okay, but once the clock hits 7 - 8, it gets really quiet, Irene. Yes, I concur about the university activities.... especially Central Market and Victoria Square, right? The place fits me well; I'm not a big fan of parties and stuffs, so yeah. Meh, Melbourne has that complexity which I don't know I can handle.
DeleteWhoa, you must've been so lucky to have met the chap. I mean the MasterChef winner. The only one I know from Adelaide would be Bree and Jessica. =)
Good that it fits you well. It's a good place to stay, I wish I can stay there. Will see if I'll be going back for a holiday in near future. Miss everything there. By the way, I assume you're studying in University of Adelaide? I was in UNISA. Used to stayed at Victoria Street hahaha... Happening street ;p Generally, OZ cities will be quiet after 6pm except Sydney and Melbourne. Enjoy your stay there. A lot to discover, it's so huge that I only managed to go Kangaroo Island and the major beaches nearby and all the other major wine regions.
DeleteYup, I'm in University of Adelaide. =)
DeleteVictoria St? Is that near Hindley St? Ah, yes, most of the cities are quiet by the time it hits 7 - 8; not like us, where the night is just beginning, lol! XD
I hope I'll enjoy my stay here because it'll be a long degree for me. =) I'll start exploring around the places outside the CBD area - once I've settled in my uni. =)
I have not been any to any part of Australia except Melbourne..hahah
ReplyDeleteI bet Adelaide will be a great city to explore. Have a good time there.
I don't think it'll be as fun as Melbourne, but there is some serenity here, Yee Ling. Exploration wise, there definitely are some spots that are worth touring like Glenelg and Central Market. =D
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