The Edinburgh Hotel, Vienna Hot Chocolate

Merkel returned to Edinburgh Hotel (aka The Ed) recently. This is not to be confused with the Edinburgh Castle (aka The Ed Castle) which is currently an Adelaide Fringe venue in the CBD of Adelaide. The Edinburgh is tucked away in High Street Mitcham.

Merkel ordered the Vienna hot chocolate after trying both the standard hot chocolate and the iced chocolate on previous visits. The hot chocolate was served in a tall stemmed glass with a handle. It was topped with a good looking swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate powder. It was served on a saucer with a pink and white marshmallow. A Vienna hot chocolate needs to be reasonably rich and chocolaty to counteract the bland cream on top. This one did not quite make the grade. It cost $4.00.

A Little More Light

"A Little More Light" was the pyrotechnic spectacular that was put on by Group F of France for the opening weekend of the Adelaide Festival 2010. A huge crowd assembled at the Southern end of Victoria Park racecourse in front of a backdrop of gum trees. This was an entertaining and cohesive work using lights, fire and fireworks in tight synchronization with a wonderful original music backing.

Victoria Park worked well as a venue with thousands of people making the trek from all directions. The catering was fairly minimal although the free water and glow sticks from sponsors Adelaide Bank and Santos were a bonus. The van from Trak Catering Services was there offering coffees and hot chocolate but the queue was far too long to attract your reviewer.

Smokin Joe's

This is a little snack bar in the corner of Da Costa arcade next to Boston's Café. In the days when smoking in snack bars was legal it did attract some smokers but these days it is smoke free although smokers can still buy cigarettes at the counter. The walls of the snack bar are adorned with an interesting collection of sporting memorabilia. Customers can buy simple sandwhiches and drinks at Smokin Joe's.

The hot chocolate comes with a cup and saucer. It is served with a white froth and a liberal sprinkling of chocolate powder. The flavour is dark but the drink was not sufficiently rich. The cost was probably $3.20.

The Deli

The Deli at 54a George Street Thebarton is a converted old shop and a busy Adelaide Fringe venue just over the road from the Wheatsheaf Hotel. It has lounge chairs and a couple of tables inside and a shaded area out the back where most of the entertainment happens. Live shows performing there are The Deli Burlesque, Sound Cinema and Temple of Venus. The photography exhibition "The Sea of Faces" commences on March 4, 2010.

Currently being exhibited at The Deli is the work of artist Peter Andrews. This is an anarchic and diverse collection of mixed media works. The artist enjoys reusing products sticking "junk" together in different ways. Even the catalogue of artworks is produced on reused paper. If you enjoy this sort of work you will need to get to The Deli before the "Sea of Faces" exhibition is mounted.

The hot chocolate came in the same style dainty cup as was used at Coopers 1862 and the Urban Bistro. It came with a white froth and a sprinkle of chocolate powder. The drink was weak and watery but this was almost totally excused because it came with a sliver of Lindt 70% Cocoa chocolate ensuring that your reviewer did not miss the bittersweet chocolate flavour completely. The cost was $3.50.

Tin Cat Café

The Tin Cat Café has been exhibiting local artists for many years. The Café is spread through a number of rooms and the garden in an old house. The furnishings are the Laminex, vinyl and polished steel of the 1950s and 60s. This is a fine dining experience in an environment filled with character.

The Adelaide Fringe exhibitor at Tin Cat Café is Juniper Darling. She has produced a series of vibrant colourful paintings featuring little girls and a fairytale world. The pictures are enhanced with cut-outs and text. These were not so much expressions of deep emotions but the reminiscences of childhood and an imaginative world.

The hot chocolate cost $3.50. It came in a glass and was topped with froth and a sprinkle of chocolate powder. The chocolate was tasty but your reviewer would have preferred it a bit richer.

Dimi's Gourmet Luncheonette

Merkel went to visit the Tin Cat Café in Kent Town for the Adelaide Fringe and found it was closed on Tuesdays. Fortunately Dimi's was just down the road and open for lunch at 78 Rundle Street, Kent Town. This is a small Café with one table inside and few outside.

The hot chocolate cost $3.20 and came in a glass with a wire handle. The hot chocolate was present with a white froth and chocolate powder on top. The taste was chocolaty and of good standard.

Coopers 1862 Bar & Bistro

Coopers 1862 is another Adelaide Fringe venue. It can be found at 121 Pirie St and also includes The Wine Underground Restaurant and Bar in the cellar. The Bar & Bistro sells a short menu of upmarket dishes and provides good table service and cloth serviettes. The Fringe act performing there is piano led boogie woogie show Rhumboogie which your review missed on this occasion.

The hot chocolate came in a dainty cup and saucer with a white froth and plenty of chocolate powder on top. The taste was good and chocolaty and the drink cost only three dollars.