Plant 4 Bowden a surprise

Plant 4 Bowden was a surprise. Concept, content wise and refreshing.

I was not aware that it was an open plan concept with a range of eateries and more. I had gone there with a large group for lunch. With the notion that we were heading to a restaurant next to a nursery or one with a nursery theme.

It turned out to be the former manufacturing plant of Clipsal electrical and lighting. It has been repurposed as a food hall with a range of eateries. And they were not the usual type of eateries that one finds in mall food courts all over Australia. This was different.

There are 2 buildings – Plant 3 and 4, the manufacturing plant buildings of Clipsal. The brick shells retained and the roofs replaced.

There is the ground floor and a mezzanine floor. The latter in not a full floor, just a narrow corridor of seats along the building boundaries. This allows the main ground floor to have the high ceiling to the roof, giving a different feel to the usual commercial building and setting. .

What does it have?

One end of Plant 4 houses the IGA supermarket with its own entry to serve the residents in nearby apartment blocks. I understand the lease was for the whole building and was taken up by the owners of the IGA outlet at Bowden. They operate both plants as a food court, wedding and event venue.

The buildings are appealing from the transformation. It readily caught my eye and I was impressed. It was not only rustic but gave a sense that we can be innovative by working with things we have. In this case, the shell of an old manufacturing plant in a former industrial area. They re-purposed it well and it was not a cookie cutter approach.

A Renewal SA initiative

Once I reached home I decided to find out more.

It was not just the buildings and the eateries but the surrounding areas. I was mindful it was a former industrial area. It now included nice, new and appealing look of the new apartment blocks next to Plant 4 Bowden. There was signs of rejuvenation, transformation as well as some level of high end coordination. It covered Bowden. And I was right.

Plant 4 for Bowden turned out to be a small part of the Bowden rejuvenation project helmed by Renewal SA.

Never heard of Renewal SA until now.

They have a heavy slate of impressive projects across the State, mainly in Adelaide.

As I read more, I was impressed by the impact this government agency has for the State and the City. I am pretty sure I will do a post on them later. What a remarkable lot of quiet achievers.

Back to Plant 4 Bowden

The place is about 2 km from Adelaide CBD. It is on Third Street along Park Terrace across the road from Adelaide’s parklands that borders the City centre.

One could take the train to Bowden station from the Adelaide main station at North Terrace or the Tram. Both get you to Bowden in about 10 minutes or so. Walking distance from the Entertainment Centre.

It is unlikely that city workers or residents would venture that far. The city already has an excellent range of food establishments from affordable to the more expensive lot.

It will be appeal to nearby residents and those who are looking for a change. As well as those attending Entertainment Centre events.

It is also not going to be a regular meal haunt even for residents except for coffee. Though the range is different and close to eclectic, it does not fall under staple meals range.

It is also not the type of place for after-work beer and wine for regulars. There are more accessible and amenable outlets for it where one works or resides such as the usual pubs. .

Type of eateries

There are about 12 to 14 eateries. There are also bars on the ground and mezzanine floor but they seem to open for events.

Here is a link to the eateries but note the link appears not be updated regularly

Even though I tried one and saw what others in our group ordered, I am going to limit my review to that one eatery where I ordered. I however did take my time checking others first.

House of Fish

This eatery caught my eye the moment I entered the building.

Their display was unusual. Simplistic, ordered and they made it clear the range of options and the prices for it.

The named fillets on display gave a sense of what you were getting.

Some background to provide context to my thoughts on this eatery.

When I first moved to Australia, a massive continent with large seas and oceans surrounding it, I naturally assumed their range of fish and fish cuisines would be extensive. I was seriously disappointed.

I have been to fish markets from the Far East, the Middle East and all the way to London’s Billingsgate Market. Been to San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf to Seattle’s Pike Place market. For some reason, fish and seafood are not as mainstream for Australia despite being completely surrounded by sea.

And Australian restaurants tend to limit the choice of fish over meat. So the House of Fish with its range is a rare and welcome sight.

Our saving grace is the Greek migration post war to mainly Melbourne and with them came their wonderful seafood culture. And I suspect that the House of Fish has Greek heritage behind it.

I decided on the barramundi which went for AUD25 and it was really good. Without batter you tasted the fish and it was delicious. I also ordered a side dish of octopus and liked it too. The portions were good and I got value.

In a nutshell

Its worth a visit not just to taste the food but see a coordinated transformation taking place of a former industrial site.

Aim for dinner when they have themed events with music and band.

And if you enjoy fish, do check out the House of Fish. Go with couple of friends and share different types of fish at one sitting.

There are also range of other foods to make an evening visit worthwhile.