The group that owns Super Bueno, West Oak, Lion Arts Factory, and Joe’s At Henley now offers a fine dining experience to Chiko Rolls and Bunnings snags from the former Restaurant Orana.
Two Pot Screamer will open Friday, December 3, at the former Rundle Street location of Orana, Bistro Blackwood.
Two Pot Screamer was brought in by Hugo Pedler, founder of Penny Hospitality. He spent years refining and developing an “Australian Fusion” concept.
The idea of running the hospitality business was first explored by Fringe’s founder, who he intended to call Ridgy Didge.
The original concept was to create a “really rough Aussie food truck vibe”; however, West Oak’s demands, which he had just taken over, got in the way.
Two Pot Screamer, founded in 2001, has continued to expand on that original idea. It offers a mix of nostalgic Australian food and exquisite dining.
Hugo states, “As my career has progressed, that’s stuck to my mind of, that’s stuck my mind off, I want this representation of Australian culture through the what I think are fun Australian foods.”
It could be better dining… but we’ll have delicious food. The amazing Georgina Fehring, formerly a Magill Estate chef, will represent this for us. However, it takes away from a service perspective about fine dining and redos it into what should be good dining.
Hugo would like to see Hugo hit the following food references: “Chiko Roll,” the Bunnings snag, and Neapolitan Ice Cream. It’s almost like a Golden North vibe.”
The restaurant’s ground-level location will offer table service, but the rest will be “booze-driven,” focusing on having fun, not food.
Hugo states, “The experience you’ll have is an Australian backyard BBQ, but in an incredible venue with fine dining cuisine.”
The Two Pot Screamer Bar will be upstairs, with a snack menu that may expand depending on how the public uses the space.
To keep the upstairs more simple, table service is not available upstairs.
Besides the Champagne selection, Hugo said it is a tribute to the space’s past as Universal Wine Bar, established by Shaw & Smith’s Michael Hill Smith. He says this was “the beginnings of great French and Italian wine in Adelaide”. The wine list is 100% Australian.
A parochial spirits list is also available. There will be a cocktail menu that reflects the nostalgia of Australiana.
Hugo says, “We’ll play with things, like a Hills Hoist drink, which will take flavors from a Fruity Lexia and recreate them into an amazing cocktail.”
We’re trying to take the flavor profiles seriously, but we have much fun doing it. This place isn’t pretentious, and that’s something I love.”
Hugo plans for Two Pot Screamer will regularly kick on until 2 am, with food service continuing until about 9:30 pm.
Frame Creative has been involved in the design of the space as a business partner.
The frame is also a partner in the West Oak Lion Arts Factory, and the design firm has been branding other Penny Hospitality projects.
Frame founder Simon Pearce says that the project was a quick sale – which is lucky considering Hugo’s eight-week turnaround time for the restaurant.
“Hugo shared the vision with me, and I said, “Yeah, it’s beautiful.” I love the name. “I’m in,” Simon said.
“We put together the design in just two days. Then we had to order everything to make sure it arrived in time. Global shipping is a nightmare.”
Simon was able to get a lot of favors. He managed to fit in many custom elements to the Two Pot Screamer fit-out within the eight-week deadline, including chairs, lights, and other items that all contribute to a ’70s Australiana design aesthetic.
Hugo Pedler in the Two Pot Screamer balcony
The Maras Group helped to construct a balcony that was a major part of the renovation.
Hugo said this support was “the turning point” for him and convinced him to invest in the East End.
Hugo is thrilled to be a part of Fringe as it approaches.
Rundle Street is my favorite street. Rundle Street has always been a favorite of mine. “I started my career with [Stuart Duckworth] at the East End, Fringe being so important to it,” he says.
“The best operators survived and are still doing great stuff. I look forward to working with everyone in East End on the East End revival.
“We don’t need the hospital. We have our things going for us. And we can work together to push ahead.”
Two Pot Screamer can be found at 285 Rundle Street. It will be open from 4 pm to late Tuesday through Thursday and 12 pm to late Friday through Sunday.
