The Guardsman — Restaurant in Adelaide

3.5* - Better than 3* but can't justify 4*. Great food, dreadful service... We came here on a Saturday evening for a late-ish dinner and obviously, the Fringe Festival, it was relatively busy (3/4 full).

It is in an odd location, facing out to the inside of Adelaide Railway Station which as any Adelaidian would know, given the aromas and some of the clientele there, it is not the sort of place you would choose to hang around in let alone enjoy a meal. However we had booked to sit inside (highly recommend) and once you are in, they do a very good job in making you forget where you are.

Once we walked inside it was unclear whether we seat ourselves or be seated as despite the vast abundance of staff, no one acknowledged we were there, walking past us, avoiding eye contact and making themselves look busy (arranging piles of menus next to us?!) While we stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

Eventually a staff member came up to us and was surprised no one else had, then when we explained we had a booking she said she had no idea about bookings...we were slightly early and figured our table might not be ready and would be happy to have a drink at the bar beforehand.

Another staff member came up with a clipboard and upon looking at our reservation she abruptly said 'Oh. Well THAT won't be ready now' as if we were a massive inconvenience. Just as we were to suggest we have a drink while waiting, she turned around and saw that infact our table was ready and we were seated.

We were told that we needed to order at the bar which I found a little odd. Given the price of food, decor (which is wonderful) and abundance of staff, I felt that the extra 30 seconds it takes to take an order at the table would have been appropriate.

We ordered at the bar and were told that they had run out of taramasalata which was included in our desired entree. So instead we ordered a different entree. A little while later, the replacement entree AND the previous entree were brought out. When we questioned this, the waiter brought out the receipt showing we were charged for both. He then said 'I'll go and sort it for you' but never returned...

The charcuterie board was fantastic, the quality of meats were superb.

We were sitting there for quite some time after finishing before a waiter came over and said 'Oh, did you want me to tell them to make your mains?'. It is pretty common practice to time when meals are brought out or for waiters to pay attention to tables. We said we were ready for our mains and he left all the empty dishes on the table which left barely enough space for when the main meals arrived and still didn't take the dishes then...

The chicken burger was delicious, one of the best I have had in Adelaide, juicy chicken, great hot sauce and the right proportion of everything. The chips were cold however.

As we finished our meals we were considering ordering another drink but after sitting at the table for 20 minutes or so and the dishes still being there, there would have literally been no space to even place a drink on the table. So we got up and left.

As we were sitting at the table we observed a really weird dynamic with the staff. There were a couple of waiters who were run off their feet, so much so, they were dripping with sweat while other staff were wandering round looking lost, trying to make themselves look busy, arranging and re arranging piles of menus?!, avoiding customers trying to get their attention and doing literally nothing. I am not sure if this is a training problem or if some staff have different roles or whether they are just bad at their job and need to be let go but the workload should have been more evenly shared and someone NEEDED to be greeting customers and showing them to their tables, I watched every group come in and stand awkwardly and uncomfortably for ages before being seated.

The food was very tasty (minus the cold chips). Would I return? Currently no. But add in table service, significantly better trained staff and someone to actually greet and seat us in a friendly...

It is with the greatest pleasure that I record my recent visit to The Guardsman, most handsomely situated within the restored Adelaide Railway Station at SkyCity. The establishment possesses an elegance at once historic and refined, so that one enters with high expectations, and departs with the happy conviction of their fulfilment.

My repast consisted of a trio of hearty classics - each executed with a care and generosity that bespoke true hospitality. The chicken schnitzel, golden and crisp without, yet tender and yielding within, was complemented by fries of pleasing crunch and a salad as fresh as any gentleman’s orchard. The veal parmigiana offered itself with richness and vigour, the sugo and melted cheese combining in so perfect a union that even the most fastidious of diners must approve. And the wagyu smashed patty burger, attended by smoky sauce and tangy pickles, was of such savour that it quite eclipsed the ordinary notion of a “burger” and declared itself a dish of consequence.

To accompany these delicacies, I chose two wines of South Australian distinction. The Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc danced with freshness and fragrance, proving the ideal companion to the schnitzel, whilst the d’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz, bold and commanding, lent noble support to the richness of the veal and burger. One cannot but commend the thought evident in such a carefully curated list - an homage, indeed, to the region’s viticultural prowess.

The service, too, merits high commendation: attentive yet never officious, warm without presumption, and rendered all the more agreeable by the staff’s knowledge and civility. Though the venue was well-frequented, the atmosphere remained entirely congenial, softened by gentle lighting and heritage details that charmed the eye as much as the meal delighted the palate.

In conclusion, The Guardsman distinguishes itself by uniting excellent fare, commendable wine, and a setting of remarkable grace. Whether for casual diversion or a more distinguished occasion, it is most heartily to be recommended. I look forward, with eager anticipation, to...

“Adelaides Hidden Secret”

This gem is located in the railway station hence the name .

The Guardsman

The decor is amazing and reflects the fitting image of a railway carriage of a bygone era. The bench / club seats are what you would have found in trains in 1960s, which creates space and privacy Everything is nostalgic in the space including the outstanding heritage tiles and antique style basins in the bathroom.

Food,

Quality of the food is outstanding , this is not the first time I have dined here but the great experience again and again rd compelled me to review. I had Chicken Caesar Salad , it was a substantial dish with large pieces of fresh chicken, crispy lettuce and croutons, the sauce was tasty and unusual so I figure it’s made in house , my only comment and not a negative is that I personally prefer a poached egg that runs as opposed to a soft boiled egg halved .The real surprise was the white anchovies on the side just delicious. My colleague had a beef Schnitzel which was very large but had a very good size piece of meat ( not just crumb) My grandson had a burger from the kids menu it was on a full size bun with a delicious home made patty probably 150gm with crispy fries. I think his meal was $12 which included a scoop of ice cream presented on a desert plate with chocolate flakes. The menu is diverse and covers most popular fares. Menu prices are excellent and I know they are cheaper than the majority of pubs in Adelaide. There are daily specials which are excellent value , the must do thing after reading the review is to check the menu and the specials.

My bill was $72 1- Hot Chocolate 1-Burger Deal from children’s menu 1-Chicken Caesar Salad 1-Beef Schnitzel

1-Pint of Pale Ale 1-Pint of Soda with...