If smoky grilled meat in huge portions is a preoccupation of yours, then The Potato Shed is a must-visit, says Eat Out critic Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine.

A photo posted by The Potato Shed (@the_potato_shed) on Sep 25, 2015 at 12:24am PDT

Food

The menu is split into a meat and potatoes offering, prepared in a manner of ways. You have been warned: everything comes in huge portions, so ordering to share is recommended. Take the skins and scratchings on the Bite menu of starters: It’s a plate piled high with crispy potato skins, beef scratchings, curried braised cabbage, lime, coriander and saffron mayo – rich and filling. There are also twice-baked potatoes, battered bread known as aloo pakora, and smashed potatoes with lashings of mayo and various garnishes. There’s a very small Daily Greens offering that includes a selection of three salads, and The Market section, where you can complement your main meat dish with corn or roast butternut, pap and more.

A photo posted by The Potato Shed (@the_potato_shed) on Mar 17, 2016 at 6:37am PDT

The meat menu is divided into fish, chicken, and the famous Fire Pit and Embers and Ashes sections. Try the pulled pork belly, which comes as a hunk of meat that covers the length of a large plate, braised for eight hours in Chinese five spice, ginger, orange, marmalade glaze, mustard-soy sauce and crispy pork crackling. Another must is the ribs done three ways, which you can enjoy from the fire pit in cola-and-pineapple chutney basting, slow braised, or done in the wood-burning oven in oregano, lemon and garlic.

 

 

A photo posted by The Potato Shed (@the_potato_shed) on May 10, 2016 at 8:54am PDT

 

The Red Burger is not only tasty but also totally Instagram-worthy – it’s a 200gram pure beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, house gherkins and mustard sauce then sandwiched between two red brioche buns.

If you still have space for dessert, the blow-torched meringue with chocolate ice cream and confit oranges sounds tempting, as do the fried dumplings (loukamades) with a choice of honey and cinnamon or chocolate dipping sauce.

A photo posted by The Potato Shed (@the_potato_shed) on Jan 12, 2016 at 5:54am PST

Drinks

A wide selection of wine, champagne, locally sourced craft beers, ciders, local gins and speciality tonic water as well as cocktails on tap make up an impressive bar menu.

Service

Despite the fact that the staff aren’t completely trained about the source of the meat nor are able to offer more details about ingredients, they seem willing to find out and report back. 

 

 

A photo posted by The Potato Shed (@the_potato_shed) on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:04am PST

 

Ambience

Despite the volume and size of the space, The Potato Shed still maintains a warm and cosy atmosphere with its woody textures and steel and copper details and finishes. Originally an actual shed for potatoes in the early 1900s, the newly refurbished restaurant and brewery is the project of owners and long-time restaurateurs Maira and John Koutsoudakis of Life Group of Companies. Offering both indoor and outdoor dining, the atmosphere oozes casual intimacy. It also makes a great dinner party or birthday celebration venue.

And…

Try the beer tasting, which includes four beer samples served on a paddle.

Have you been to The Potato Shed in Newtown? Tell us about it in a review and we’ll pledge a meal for a hungry child through Stop Hunger Now SA.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.