steven ter horst chocolatier.

There is chocolate, and then there is chocolate.  One step into Steven Ter Horst and you know they are the latter.  Situated in between Yiros House and Aurum on Rundle Street, their sleek black and white interior and carefully set out dessert displays really set them apart from your average choccy shop.

penny university.

You may have heard about the new 'retro salad' place that's popped up opposite Burger Theory on Union Street, but if you haven't then let me make the formal intros - Penny University, you, you, say hello to Penny University.  Loads of fresh baguettes, wraps and salads adorn the front of the small (and I mean, small) cafe but dine-ins are welcome so long as you don't mind sharing the table with other randoms.

vego & love'n it.

I enjoy vegetables.  I don't love them, but the fact that I can eat them in great quantities (fresh, not deep-fried) and not worry about clogging my arteries is somewhat comforting.  So the concept of a vegetarian restaurant, although ever so slightly daunting because it is a vegetarian restaurant, sits okay with me.  Add in the fact that my eating partner is actually a vegetarian and voila! Vego & Loven It sounded pretty perfect.  It's kind of hidden upstairs on Rundle Street above Naked and next to Sir Cafe, but if you ask any vegetarian or vegan regarding its whereabouts I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction.

birdcage cafe.

Birdcage came to my attention about a month ago and I went to try it out with a friend two weeks later.  Situated on Rundle Street, it's a pretty and quaint desserterie which also offers pastries, pies and sandwiches for the lunch-inclined.

Furnishings live up to the name with a flock of birds painted on the walls, white birdcages on tables and other sophisticated-looking decorations adorning the airy interior.  It's similar to the layout of the Aviary but while the Aviary is cozy and rustic, Birdcage comes off as more chic and fresh.

eros kafe.

A friend and I decided to try out Eros Kafe last week for a late lunch after having walked by it so many times.  It's classier (and pricier) brother, Eros Ouzeri, is right next door but for lunch purposes the Kafe seemed better suited to our student budget.  Not that it's particularly cheap, mind you.

Since we came in after the lunch rush, there were only a few tables occupied and just the one waiter behind the bar.  The menu took some time to get our heads around - it literally was all Greek to me - but we eventually decided on a sharing plate and a main dish to share.  I'm always hesitant when ordering a 'sharing plate' because I never know how big they're going to be.  I wish restaurants would just tell you exactly how many pieces of whatever you're ordering and the waiters can tell you exactly how big the dish will be.  It would make life a lot easier.

Ortikia: chargrilled quail served with honey & orange, beetroot & rocket salad ($15.90)

sir cafe.

Adelaide's newest dessert place, Sir Cafe, has been open on Rundle Street for a few months now, but you'd be forgiven for not even knowing that it was there.  They're located right next to Vego & Lovin' It, which is accessible via the stairs next to the clothing store Naked. 

The cafe has has a bit of an antique Victorian theme going on inside with large mirrors, odd animal decorations and candles to set the mood.  There are also antique-styled chaises and sofas used instead of chairs in the front area which are absolutely perfect for someone my height, but beware of falling asleep during your dessert because they are so soft and very comfortable to lean back on.

We arrived at the little cafe at around 9:30 and it was completely full - all six tables had been taken.  The owner took down my phone number and told me that it could be a 15-20 minute wait, which I probably would have been more happier to do so if it was inside.  However, since there was no space to sit and wait (the place is tiny) my party of three ended up walking around Rundle Street in the cold for about 25 minutes.

Sir Waffle: $11.90