Bar Torino

Small bars, cocktails and tapas seem to be the go in Adelaide and Bar Torino is on the list. It’s quite a lovely place with a great vibe. Well located on Hutt Street so parking is not as much of an issue. Their drinks list is extensive with a good variety of cocktails too. For someone like me who doesn’t drink, the bartender will more than happily make mocktails for you based on your preferred flavours and they are gooooood.
Food here leans towards the tapas style but there are big plates you can order to yourself if you’re not in a sharing mood. Always check the board for specials because that’s how we got some pork belly! The cigars to me are a must, filled veal and tuna mayo it just has such great flavour and texture. We also tried the «toastie» filled with korean beef cheek and cheese which was delicious. We figured empanadas were a must so we ordered that too before our main of the Pork Belly Special with Cabbage. I have to say I find the pricing a little erratic with for eg. $ 5 for 1 small veal and tuna cigar and $ 6.50 for a whole toastie.
It can however get quite noisy in there especially near the bar area at busy times so nab a table outside if you want to chat. Having said that, overall the experience is pretty good and the food is tasty! The place always seems packed when we drive past. We did go on a weekend and turned up early (5.45pm) to get a table though I think within 20 minutes the whole place was full already so take that into account with your plans.

Looking for an extensive drinks list and quality tapas selection then look no further than Bar Torino!
Think crusty bread, prosciutto, olives and fresh Italian cheeses for tapas — absolutely mouth watering and the perfect accompaniment for a glass of red.
Great variety of local & imported wines, beers & ports as well as quality crafted spirits & cocktails.
Perfect cosy spot to catch up with friends or your special one!

What a great place to go after work for drinks and food.
Despite not having an extensive proper menu, Bar Torino still shines with its tapas style platters. Try the papatas bravas (yum), the tortillas (which is actually an omelette tortillas!) and polenta chips (will change your life). The duck and watermelon was a chance that we took and were pleasantly surprised.
The cocktails were also top notch — try the Lemon Meringue Flip! Absolutely delightful. Staff are courteous and lovely too.

Having just been introduced to the Monkey’s Uncle red ale, the red ale on tap* was a easy choice. But what to accompany it with on a very-​warm spring afternoon? Oh yes, this was to be a patatas bravas off. I knew Udaberri’s offering well. Crispy little steam pillows of potato, salted well and served with a moorish dipping sauce. Let’s see what these Torinoites can do.
They can present potatoes pretty well, that’s for starters. The dish arrived on a lovely patterned plate in a sea of red sauce with some waves — a la Modern Australian circa 2006 — of mayo over the top. And a number of those cute little wooden chip fork things you see at music festivals.
The sauce was vibrant and had just the right amount of heat. The potatoes were mostly soggy, with a few redeeming crispy specimens. The mayo was disappointing. Bland, stiff, and calling out for touch of Japan in Kewpie.
Udaberri wins on the bravas. Though I wished they served it more traditionally. Torino gets many points for location and ambiance.
* Guys, get your menu online.

Excellent atmosphere. Perfect for a drink and a relax. Nice outside area to sit in the sun. Decent music. Had a great morning beverage here.

Okay… for being a pub/​front-​house/​bar girl growing up (pur-​lease, not like I started when I was 11 or anything…#awkies…) a bar hasn’t really had the same feels to go to, and to be honest, I never really have given them much of a go. Until this year. I can so adult.
Bar Torino is like a mashup of funky retro exposed-​stone cool, with modern tiled suave and a gas fire to warm your booty beside. It is pretty new, and its so fab that I walked straight past it thinking it was another über cool place where grown ups meet to drink. It was a few doors up that I turned and realised it was the place I was to be…
Now, I was actually surprised by the über technical ear-​piece wearing going on by the staff, but if it works for their system, them I’m all for it. Also, a glass of red was about the same price as a small fish bowl G&T, so as you can imagine, G&T it was (at around 12buckaroos). But it wasn’t your typical G&T… there was a sword-​skewer sliver of pears in that small fish bowl. And it was delish! I want to say, best G&T I’ve ever had… and I don’t say such things often…
So if you need a place to meet your beau or your babe, or a couple of colleagues after work — check this place out. If you want to bring a huge tribe of people… I might suggest a pub/​front-​house/​bar nearby: Bar Torino is a cozy place. So cozy, you can warm your booty up besides the gas fire…
#thumbsup

A new-​ish bar next door to Chianti, it’s run by the brother-​sister duo of Nick and Jess (kids of Chianti’s proprietors). A good place to catch up with friends or for a small bite with easy street parking.
There is a chilled-​out vibe here, that’s why I enjoy catching-​up with friends here earlier in the week on a Tues or Wed night. (My Fridays and Saturdays fav are La Buvette/​Haines & Co these days, and Sundays at Botanic Bar). I have been here once on a Friday night and even in heavy rain, it was packed out. We stayed past midnight that night and I noticed people dropping by for a nightcap.
Service is generally attentive and friendly. You are given a matchbox sports car with a number on it if you choose to open a tab, which I think is the way to go. Then find a spot and the floor staff will go round to take your order of drinks and food. There is a good variety of wines from Australia and Europe by the glass, and even more so by the bottle. I recently had an outstanding 2010 Nebbiolo by the glass from the Piedmont region.
I’ve had a few things on the tapas menu and the food has been tasty enough. But I wouldn’t say that the prices were outstanding value (e.g. the tiny anchovy on a sliver of crispy toast was $ 4 a pop… much better value anchovies at Mothervine) and the steak tartare, while presented beautifully, was not the freshest I’ve had.
Overall, a bar I can see myself returning to from time to time, due to the chilled out vibe, nice wines and when I am not in the mood to navigate parking (or crowds) to get to the East or West End bars.

Well what to say? The new bar on the block, in the fine tradition of Chianti this place brings local food and wine with a Spanish twist this time… Great service cool vibe and amazing food.