La Buona Vita: At Tanunda, in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia

(Text & photos supplied by Sightseeing South Australia)

Think Barossa Valley, and you will immediately think of good wines, excellent food, and the unique atmosphere of historic towns, heritage buildings and beautiful scenery.

The towns are well known for their authentic character, with tree-lined streets, parks and gardens, restored and maintained public and private buildings, and the dominant spires of the Lutheran Churches a constant reminder of the origin and faith of the early settlers.

Tanunda is the heart of the Barossa Valley, and showcases the very best that the valley has to offer. It is also home to La Buona Vita, a restaurant that has become a legend in the 10 years it has been in business. Operated by award-winning chef Juergen Leib and his wife Venetta, La Buona Vita (The Good Life) is regarded by many local, interstate and overseas clients as ‘simply the best’.

The popular restaurant is a typical Italian bistro, with an extensive and inexpensive menu. Guests have the choice of eating in the 55 seat bistro, alfresco dining on the verandah, or in the secluded rear garden. The menu includes such tempting items, light meals and entrees as traditional German cabbage roll, fresh baked steak and kidney pie, with salad and wedges, or perhaps the cheese and mushroom omelette with salad and wedges. Patrons return again and again for the pie floater consisting of a freshly baked beef steak pie with homemade pea soup!

There is a wide selection of pizzas with varieties including Brindisi, Vesuvius, Trieste and Napoli. Pasta lovers will be delighted with the authentic Alla Panna, Napolitan, Fettucini, Lasagne, Tortellini, Ravioli, and more.

Porterhouse and T-bone steaks, chicken, veal schnitzels and chicken breasts, all with the choice of mushroom, pepper, zingara or Dianne sauce and served with chips and salad are very popular. Seafood, accompanied by chips and fresh, crispy salad, is another favourite dish. All food is prepared using the freshest ingredients, and is freshly cooked, not pre-cooked and reheated. La Buona Vita is fully licensed, and stocks a wide variety of Barossa wines. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Operating in conjunction with La Buona Vita is ‘Juergies’, a fine dining, 40 seat restaurant with a strict ‘bookings only’ policy. Juergies caters for those seeking the very best in food and wine, together with impeccable service. The integrated décor is predominantly dark blue and gold, upholstered chairs, rich tapestries and paintings. It provides rich and tasteful surroundings for those seeking the ultimate dining experience. The wine list reflects the international appeal of the restaurant, and features wines from Italy, France, California, New Zealand, Tasmania, plus the very best from the Barossa. Juergies is open Wednesday to Saturday. For more information about La Buona Vita phone (08) 8563 2527, or Juergies, phone (08) 8563 3588. The fax number for both restaurants is (08) 8563 3477.

La Buona Vita
Address: 89 Murray Street, Tanunda, 5352
Phone: 8563 2527
Fax: 8563 3477
Email. labuonavita@ozemail.com.au