Where Chefs Eat: Restaurant Botanic’s Alma Pasalic Can’t Get Enough of This Barbeque Spot

Alma Pasalic knows a thing or two about good drinks.

Pasalic is an ex-beverage manager and current general manager at Restaurant Botanic. Her highly acclaimed non-alcoholic program formed the basis for BTNC , a new line of boutique sodas that taste like Aussie summer.

She spoke to Broadsheet about where – and what – she likes to eat and drink in Adelaide.

What makes Adelaide’s food and drink scene unique?
Adelaide is bursting with creativity and ambition. Our city is full of so many incredible chefs, bartenders, brewers, winemakers and legendary attendants that bring so much heart to what they do. It’s always great to connect and catch up with like-minded, passionate people. I feel there’s a real kind of community-driven creativity amongst us. We’re all cheering each other on, connecting and collaborating in so many ways.

You’re basically sitting in the middle of some of Australia’s best growing regions: the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley. There’s an incredible abundance of fresh produce, seafood, protein and beverages.

What’s your favourite drink on the menu at Restaurant Botanic and why?
Our Native Saké Highball is one of my favourites. We blitz up fresh watermelon with some full-flavoured botanicals like lemon eucalypt, strawberry gum and lemon myrtle. When you strain it, the solids from the watermelon clarifies the beverage too. We carbonate and build it up with some saké. It’s just so fresh, with the perfect level of sweetness from the watermelon. It’s just one of those smashable drinks you can have in any season.

If it’s a special occasion, where are you headed?
La Louisiane is a great little spot to celebrate a special occasion. You can cuddle up with your beau in one of the booths, particularly on the live jazz nights. It’s very cute. There’s a great cocktail offering too. The tiny ’tini is a delight! The food is amazing, Alexis and his team create some incredibly decadent “treat yourself” tasty dishes. Great atmosphere, incredible food and wine offering. It’s easy to happily lose track of time.

Where do you go for a long lunch?
Long lunches for me are à la carte menus where I can get carried away with my ordering and sit there and work through it all with a glass in hand. Magill Estate Kitchen is definitely high on the list for this at the moment. Their new menu is incredible and packed with variety and little snacky bites. There are oysters, caviar, short rib tacos, scallop sausage ! My advice? Order all of them.

Is there a hidden gem you think deserves more hype?
Low & Slow American BBQ in Port Adelaide. They’re pretty well known, but I believe they deserve all the hype. I use any excuse to go. I always order the set menu and your only concern is whether to go the mac’n’cheese or potato salad. Or just get both. Steph and her team are so amazing and welcoming, plus they sling some of the tastiest cocktails.

What’s your favourite spot for a late-night feed?
1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle. It’s such good soup. I’m a huge noodle soup person. My standing order of soup with thick noodles and pickled cabbage hits hard every time. The broth carries so much flavour. It just feels like it’s fixing your soul with every slurp. Plus, as an added bonus, their dumplings have got to be the best in town – perfectly fried on the outside, fresh on the inside. It’s perfect for a late-night feed because it comes out so quickly, so it hits the spot when you’ve sat down absolutely starved.

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