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Flight Coffee Hangar, Te Aro

Paul
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5
Flight Coffee Hangar, Te Aro

Flight Coffee Hangar Wellington is one of the places that came up consistently when I was doing my research into where to get great coffee in Wellington. Flight Coffee is a speciality coffee roaster and the “Hangar” is their cafe and up until recently, was where the roasting was done too. After a big night that ended just a few hours earlier, my friends and I were in the need of some coffee and some quality breakfast to line our stomachs.

The space is a former car park and is simple, with an almost Scandinavian workshop vibe about it. It must be all of the wood, concrete and clean lines.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Any cafe that has a hand-crafted customised Slayer 2.0 espresso machine is serious about its coffee. These things don’t come cheap. $30,000 of don’t come cheap for this one in fact.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Flat White ($3.50)

When it comes to both the coffee and the food at Flight Coffee Hangar, sustainability and freshness is key. I had a flat white with the house blend beans and it was perfect.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

5 Grain Toast With Bacon & 2 Poached Eggs ($15.00)

One of my friends ordered this and was very happy with his breakfast. I like the approach to breakfast at Flight Coffee Hangar. There are a few sweet and savoury options to choose from but the thing that really impressed me was the simplicity of the “Build Your Own Brekkie” section. 14 ingredients, listed in alphabetical order, each with a price next to it. Why more places don’t do this I don’t know. It’s a great idea and so simple.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Bagel With Avocado, Roasted Tomatoes & Cream Cheese ($12.50)

This was my breakfast and it was exactly what I was looking for that morning. Simple, quality ingredients and great presentation.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Hangar Spanish Styled Baked Eggs With Chorizo, Tomato, Capsicum & Onion ($16.50)

My other friend ordered the baked eggs and was also very happy with his selection.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Chemex Filtered Single Origin ($7.00)

Along with espresso, coffee brewed using a range of techniques is available. Chemex, Aeropress, V60, Swiss Gold for example. I ordered one of the speciality beans brewed with a Chemex and was provided with a card that had a full description of the bean, its source and tasting notes. My friends thought it was a gimmick but when they tried the coffee they soon realised that the flavours described on the card were all present. Knowing where what you consume comes from and what it’s all about is never a bad thing.

Also, the $7.00 might sound expensive but I got a good 2 cups of coffee out of this thing.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Roasting moved offsite in December, and this machine “Gareth” has been superseded by the bigger “Betty”. It looks great though, so I’ve kept the photo in. Moving the roasting offsite has allowed the Flight Coffee owners to install a larger kitchen and expand the menu. It’s also enabled the place to open for dinner and cocktails on Wed-Sat nights.

A range of coffee paraphernalia and a very decent range of beans is available to buy too.

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

flight coffee hangar wellington where to eat

Since I was last in Wellington there have been some changes at Flight Coffee Hangar that, it seems, have all been positive and have served to enhance what was already an excellent coffee and food experience. I can’t wait to get back there and see for myself.

Flight Coffee Hangar

171-177 Willis Street
Wellington City
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Telephone: (04) 212 4547
Email:          [email protected]
Website:      http://flightcoffee.co.nz/

Open
Mon – Tue: 7:00am to 5:00pm
Wed – Fri:   7:00am to 1:00am
Sat:             8:00am to 1:00am
Sun:            8:00am to 5:00pm

Flight Coffee Hangar on Urbanspoon

The Art Of Writing A “Bad” Review

Paul
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7
The Art Of Writing A “Bad” Review

The Art Of Writing A Bad Review. How To Write A Bad Review. Bad Restaurant Reviews - Do They Serve A Purpose?

Today I wrote my first “bad” review. Not bad in the way it was written, but bad in that it dealt with what was ultimately a negative experience. While it’s true that I’ve written reviews on places that were average, and I’ve written reviews that on a whole have been critical, I’ve never written a properly “bad” review before. I’ve eaten out a lot over the years and there have been a combination of highs and lows however last night I my wife and I had, what we both agreed, was the worst meal we had eaten since moving to Melbourne in January 2012.

Generally speaking, and as regular readers of my blog can attest to, my restaurant reviews are positive pieces. There are several reasons for this:

  1. I do my research and eat at places that look interesting to me and have what I would consider to be a high potential to be good
  2. I listen to others in the Melbourne food scene who’s opinion I respect
  3. I eat out approximately once a week at mixture of new spots and old favourites. I spend my hard earned cash when I eat out so I want to make sure that, as far as it is practicable, I’m going to have a meal that I enjoy.

When I do have an experience which isn’t something that I particularly enjoyed, I will tend to hold off on writing anything and, at the end of the year, will write a relatively neutral paragraph or two in one of my “places I ate at but didn’t review” pieces.

Many who criticise online food reviewers focus on the fact that there are a lot of negative reviews out there on platforms such as Urbanspoon, Yelp and Trip Advisor. My article is not about these “reviews” and personally speaking I don’t think that you should put too much weight on anything that you read on those sites. A sentence or two of uncontextualised gushing praise or nasty putdowns wastes everyone’s time.

What I am talking about are food blogs. There has been much said on the ethics of food bloggers of late, however in my experience the majority of reputable food bloggers that I’ve encountered are quite ethical. One of the ethical dilemmas that many food bloggers face is that which is the subject of this blog post – what do I do when I have a bad experience at a restaurant?

Most reputable bloggers aren’t full of self importance, and aren’t in it for the freebies or the “fame”. Most that I’ve met do it because they love food and enjoy talking about it. Personally, one of the reasons that I started writing about food was because I was known as the “food guy” amongst my friends back in Perth and in London. Whenever somebody wanted to know where they should go to eat, they’d ask me and I was always more than happy to help. It brings me genuine pleasure when somebody tells me about a great meal that they enjoyed based on one of my recommendations. When I arrived in Melbourne, I thought to myself, I like writing about food, I like taking photos and I’m just as capable as any of the other bloggers out there that I follow, why don’t I start writing about food too? So I did.

I know that in the overall scheme of things, my blog is just a small piece of the pie. There are a lot of Melbourne food bloggers out there, a lot of opinions and a lot to read. Add to the mix your traditional media like The Age and popular websites such as Broadsheet and it’s hard to get your voice heard. I’m not ignorant as to my place in the overall scheme of things, and I’m happy to do what I do, knowing that there are people out their who respect what I have to say, regardless of what that number might be.

Based on discussions that I’ve had with other food bloggers, it is clear that many feel the same way. Most of us don’t have designs on becoming the country’s pre-eminent food writers. We have day jobs and many other hobbies, the blog of which is just one. Having said that, food bloggers are very aware that there are people reading what they write and that there are people who give weight to what they say. For this reason, the issue of writing a bad review is one that many bloggers struggle with, as evidenced by discussion on the topic at 2013’s Eat Drink Blog conference that I attended in Perth.

Many bloggers feel that they have a responsibility when they write a restaurant review. I know that the owners have put a lot of their time and money into this ventures, I know that in many cases restaurateurs have put a lot more on the line to open up a venue that they are passionate about. Who am I to write something negative about a place? If somebody doesn’t visit because of what I have written what if it contributes to them going bust? What if the owners are really nice people and what I have written contributes, in its own little way to them losing everything? Over-dramatic perhaps, as in the end the majority of food bloggers are, as discussed earlier, small fry. In any case these are the sorts of things that go through many blogger’s minds when contemplating writing a bad review.

Countering these thoughts are things that bring us back to why we started blogging in the first place. I want people to enjoy good meals, so surely I owe it to my readers to bring it to their attention when I don’t have a good meal. The restaurant scene in Melbourne in particular is very competitive and there are a lot of great places to eat – if I can save somebody from having a bad meal, surely I should? Many people don’t eat out as often as I do, and are in much tighter financial situations – their occasional meal out is something that they save up for and anticipate for a while, so if I can play a part in making sure that the meal that they have is an enjoyable one, shouldn’t I?

After I posted my review on the Internet, there was quite a bit of discussion on Twitter amongst bloggers, eaters and industry folk who had certain things to say on the topic. There were 2 distinct points to come out of this.

  1. Should I write a bad review?
  2. If yes to point 1, how should I write a bad reviews.

Some of Tweets of note included:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking into account my own ideas on the subject, and those of several others as gleaned of Twitter and other resources (see relevant articles from Salon, BloombergView and The Huffington Post about negative book reviews) there is a common theme, being that it’s important to write bad reviews, but equally important to do it in the right way. Common things to take into account when writing a bad review include:

  1. Talk to the restaurateur and include their response if appropriate.
    1. There might be a good reason for the bad experience that you had. Things might not be as they appeared on the surface. See what they have to say and you might just change your mind, or at least be able to qualify some of what you have written.
  2. Ask yourself why you are writing the review.
    1. Is it to inform, or do you have some other motive?
  3. Don’t be mean.
    1. Let the facts do the talking, try not to use emotive or negative language.
  4. Don’t rant.
    1. Build a coherent argument. Let the reader know exactly what it is that you didn’t like and why you didn’t like it.
  5. Provide context.
    1. Was there something else that should be mentioned that could influence how the reader interprets what you have written? Will what you have written be misconstrued without this context?
  6. Be balanced.
    1. No matter how bad the experience there’s always at lease one positive to be found. The skill of a good writer is to find this positive.
  7. Have humility.
    1. See that high horse over there? Get off it. In the overall scheme of things, you and your review are nothing.
  8. Be honest.

Writing a bad review is not an easy thing to do, but I think that bad reviews are important and have their place. What would be the point in there being reviews if they were all positive? As writers, I think that keeping the above 9 points in mind when writing a review will ensure that any bad reviews we do write will serve a constructive purpose as one of the many reviews on the particular restaurant, and will help diners to make an educated opinion as to whether or not they dine at a given venue – at the end of the day it’s their choice.

This is a really interesting topic, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve said above? Do you have any insight of your own to add?

La Chinesca, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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2
La Chinesca, Melbourne CBD

La Chinesca Melbourne has a unique concept. It’s food is Chinese and Mexican. Not Chinese Mexican fusion, as co owners Robert Hargrave, Vincent Fantauzzo and Andrew Lewis stress, but rather food that’s inspired by that found in Mexicali’s Chinatown, La Chinesca. Much in the same way that there’s Australian Chinese food that contains dishes that aren’t authentic but can still taste great, this is the food that Chinese immigrants to Mexico created when they arrived in Mexico.

Often food writers talk down dishes that aren’t “authentic” but, at the end of the day authenticity is not something that concerns me (unless a venue is claiming to be authentic and isn’t). What matters to me is ultimately one simple thing – does the food taste good? I’m therefore happy to try anything once – if a mixture of flavours in a way I’ve not tried before delivers some tasty dishes, then I’m all for it.

I didn’t have my camera on my as I didn’t plan on doing a review when I visited La Chinesa so you’ll have to excuse the poor quality photos. It was a Friday night after work with my wife, a last minute decision to have dinner in the city, and open minded curiosity that led us La Chinesca. I had been to Strange Wolf (the venue’s previous occupant) on several occasions and was interested in checking out Harley House’s newest occupant.

The space is recognisable from it’s Strange Wolf days, with concrete floors and pillars, exposed brick walls and an exposed piping and tubes on the roof. There are a mixture of booths, tables, couches and standing room. The space feels a lot more open than it used to and it really suits the basement laneway location.  Artwork from co-owner and Archibald prize winner, portrait artist Vincent Fantauzzo can be found dotted all over the place and it’s very good stuff, which fits the vibe of the venue very well.

The lights are turned down low – really low, hence why I had to use my phone camera’s flash. The lighting works well in context though, and adds to the whole underground feel of La Chinesca.

la chinesca melbourne

The owners stress that La Chinesca is a bar, not an eatery however when you walk in it doesn’t feel like a bar. Yes there is a bar with an extensive drinks menu, including a decent range of beer, wine and some very impressive cocktails however the food menu and people’s curiosity about the Chinese Mexican food is what will entice people to visit in my opinion. La Chinesca might not be advertised as an eatery, but in the context of 2014 openings in Melbourne, that’s exactly what it is.

My wife and I were seated promptly when we walked in an ordered a cocktail each. My descriptions of the dishes aren’t as detailed as most of my reviews as there isn’t a menu online. I spent some time searching high and low for one and eventually found my answer on the La Chinesca Facebook page where somebody recently asked if there was a menu online and the answer provided was “No… You have to see and eat!! You will be WOWD”. Make of that what you will. Luckily I kept my receipt.

The one page food menu is a focused affair, with a range of main dishes, small dishes, steamed buns and dumplings. My wife and I ordered a selection from all of the parts of the menu.

We started with cocktails. My wife ordered a Mexicali Margarita and I ordered a La Pinacha ($18.00 each). The cocktail list is one of the highlights of La Chinesca. A combination of Mexican and Chinese ingredients that, in the case of the 2 cocktails that we had, worked really well together. I’d like to write more about what was in each drink but without a menu to reference I have nothing to jog my memory. It took a while for our drinks to arrive, which was surprising given there were 4 people behind the bar and the place was busy, but not overly so.

la chinesca melbourne

The first dish that came out was the Numbing Beef ($15.00). Pieces of crispy coated beef on rice with sauce and some garnishes on top. The beef itself was one of the best things we ate all night. It was tender, tasty and the crispy coating contrasted nicely with the beef. Unfortunately the sauce was extremely salty, so much so that it overpowered all of the other flavours with each mouthful we had. The words “numbing” and “Sichuan” had my wife and I expecting a powerful chilli hit after our tastebuds has been suitably numbed however numbed they were not and the spice levels were very tame. The pickled ginger on the side was very nice and got the balance between sweet, salt and tang just right.

Next, our steamed buns (mantou)  ($9.00 each) arrived. We ordered one of each of the offerings and they came out one by one. First was the Duck Bun. Again, the word “Sichuan” was used yet there was no spice to speak of in here. The bun was very starchy and the filling was minimal. The duck was supposed to be crispy but there wasn’t and crispness to it at all. The flavour was quite bland and we couldn’t tell what this dish was trying to say to us.

Second came the Daikon Bun. This was better than the Duck Bun. There was a lot more filling, which meant that it didn’t feel so starchy and the flavours worked well together.

Third came the Asado Bun. Unfortunately this also failed to hit the mark. Asado short ribs with chipotle hot sauce, coriander and jalapenos where what was happening here and again the filling was minimal and the flavours just didn’t come through that well.

Our Pork Bun never arrived and the next dish that came out were the Mexican Meatballs ($12.00). Compared to the other food we hard ordered, which was very much on the Chinese side of things, the meatballs were more on the Mexican side of the equation. They were ok and in contrast to what had come out earlier, the flavours stood out and were identifiable.

At this stage of the night, my wife and I asked if we could cancel the 2 remaining items on our order and get the bill. The waiter went and checked and we were advised that the food was already being cooked. Not a problem, as it was quite late into the meal when we made the request.

After quite a long wait, especially so considering that we were told earlier that the food was already being cooked, the dumplings arrived. Unfortunately our apprehension about the dumplings was well founded. Despite ordering scallop dumplings, we were served prawn dumpling and although the flavour was nice, they were over-steamed which meant that the skin was very soft, like overcooked pasta.

After waiting for a while yet again, we asked if we could get the bill. The bill came out and the Pork Bun was on there. We let the waiter know that the Pork Bun had never arrived and after being told that “everything comes out in order” we were asked if we would like to wait for it. We politely declined and the waiter went and checked to see what was going on and after some discussions near the kitchen we received a new bill with the item removed.

I went La Chinesca with an open mind, and quite excited by what the food could be like if the team managed to pull it off. Unfortunately pull it off they did not. Writing this review was a difficult one. Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis will know that I generally write about places that I like, and therefore my reviews are generally positive. With La Chinesca however, I felt like I would be doing my readers a disservice by not writing about my experience.

I must compliment the staff at La Chinesca. Venue manager David Mills, co-owner of the excellent Carlton North restaurant Piqueos puts his touch on this side of things and my wife and I both felt that that staff were really doing their best with what they had to work with. The space does not at all suit conversation. The exposed walls and roof and concrete makes for a very loud venue. There were times during the night that I had to put my ear almost right next to my wife’s mouth to hear what she was saying and again. I’d hate to be taking drinks and food orders and trying to understand what customers were saying in such a loud environment.

The food was mostly disappointing and at its best merely ok. Head chef Daniel Salcedo has some solid experience behind him, with stints at Rockpool and Piqueos and there’s no doubt that he knows how to cook which was what made things even more disappointing. I like the space, the drinks are great and with a late night license La Chinesca has potential to be a great option for a late night drink and snack. Personally, I’d be rethinking the menu. Get rid of the main dishes, focus on small bites, get flavours right and advertise as a bar that has some great snacks. Mix things up a bit more, go for some more “out there” fusion combinations – be bold and create some wacky dishes that taste great. The bar side of things works well, and I hope going forward that they can get the food side right too.

At the moment, La Chinesca feels like its wandering through the Mexican desert without a map or a compass, and I hope that it finds its way home before the figurative water runs out.

la chinesca melbourne

La Chinesca

Harley House Basement (Entry via Strachan Lane)
71 Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9663 8333
Email:          [email protected]
Website:      http://lachinesca.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat: 5:00pm to 3:00am

La Chinesca on Urbanspoon

Teta Mona, Brunswick East

Paul
-
0
Teta Mona, Brunswick East

Teta Mona Brunswick East is a restaurant on Lygon Street that aims to bring honest, home style soul food to those who visit. When I say soul food, I don’t mean the cornbread, grits and black eyed peas of the American South, but rather the Lebanese food that the owner’s Teta (grandmother) Mona cooked for them when they were growing up (and still cooks for them today).

The owners are brothers Antoine and Bechara Taouk, who after learning how to cook from their Teta Mona, and working at their grandfather’s bakery, the Preston institution Cedar Bakery, decided to open up a restaurant of their own. Bechara is in charge of the kitchen while Antoine takes care of the customer focused side of things.

Walking into Teta Mona, you can tell that Anotoine and Bechara have opened a venue that’s very much “them”. Family portraits and Lebanese bits and pieces dot the walls and the fitout itself it quite homely too, for example the white curtains at the front. It instantly feels very welcoming and the staff come across as genuinely friendly from the get go. The main dining area is very small, and the kitchen itself is in the same room.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

When my wife and I arrived on Friday night the inside dining area was full so we were taken down the side of the restaurant to the courtyard area out the back.

The outdoor area is simple, with a large overhanging tree , a few covered tables and fairy light dotted around. Speakers play a mixture of traditional and more modern, dance/hip-hop oriented Lebanese music both inside and outside. It was a cold night however the gas stand heaters did an admirable job of keeping us warm.

The big change from when this used to be part of the neighbouring Alehoue Project’s courtyard is the giant street art mural on the dividing fence, painted by local artist Conrad “RAD”.  Teta Mona was clearly a force to be reckoned with back in her younger days in the Lebanese town of Bcharre and word is that she’s still a force to be reckoned with today at the age of 78.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Drinks are a range of cool ice blended drinks, hot teas and the usual assortment of soft drinks and juices. There is no alcohol on the menu.

I ordered a refreshing ice blended rose syrup and mint drink and wy wife ordered a shal effe w haal (cinnamon bark and cardamom pod tea) which she really enjoyed. I keeping with the traditional theme, my drink was served in a glass tumbler, the kind of which would be instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up in a Mediterranean/Balkan household and the tea was served in a similarly recognisable tea/coffee pot.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Moving on to the food, the menu options are traditional Lebanese dishes, described by Antoine and Bechara as a “wholefoods take on traditional Lebanese village food”. In the mornings on the weekend, there’s a selection of breakfast dishes and pastries, with the pastries also being available during lunch. In the evening, a selection of small share plates, medium share plates, mains and desserts are offered. I always appreciate a no-nonsense menu that’s easy to follow and understand and at Teta Mona each menu item is listed with its Lebanese name first, followed by the breakdown of what the dish actually is in English.

Serving sizes are very generous. My wife and I ordered what we thought seemed like a reasonable amount for the two of us who both arrived with a healthy appetite and by the end of the meal (which we could not finish), we were in agreeance that what we ordered could have just about fed 3 people.

Shanklish Salata (Semi Dried Yoghurt,Tomato, Onion & Olive Salad) ($8.00)

I really enjoyed the Shaklish Salata, which in another nod to tradition was served in faux wooden plates again recognisable to anyone with a Mediterranean/Balkan background. It tasted very fresh and had a good level of saltiness which many places get wrong when they use feta cheese. Here, the balance of all the ingredients worked just right. The pita bread was delicious and light and did an admirable job of mopping up the salad sauces.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Felafel D.I.Y. (House Felafel With Pickles & Tahini) ($12.50)

My wife and I both really enjoyed the felafel. Again, the quality of the ingredients was evident and the flavours were great. The felafels were light and had a really good texture about them. The use of sweet green peas as well as yellow peas gives them a unique twist. They were very filling but not at all heavy. The only criticism we both had was that they were too soft on the outside – a little more crunch would have been perfect. This is due to the fact that they are oven baked rather than friend, so on the plus side it’s a much healthier felafel than usual.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Cigara Bi Lahem (Pastry Rolls Filled With Spiced Lamb, Onion, Walnuts & Pomegranate Molasses) ($12.50)

There were 4 of these cigara in the plate, however my wife was so eager to try them that she forgot that I hadn’t taken a photo yet. I got in quickly with a blurry shot before another one went missing and she had a chance to attack the labne and salad!

Due to my wife’s nut allergy we didn’t have walnuts in ours. Thankfully everything on the menu (apart from the baklava for obvious reasons) was able to be cooked without nuts.

The first cigara I tried was delicious – my favourite dish of the night. The balance of all the ingredients was spot on, with the pomegranate molasses adding a subtle sweetness. The pastry was perfectly light and flaky. My wife said that hers was “ok” which I found odd, however when I ate my second one I realised why. Whereas the first cigara was amazing, the second one had no discernible pomegranate molasses taste – it was literally missing something. My wife on the other hand had her second cigara and it was so full over pomegranate molasses that it overpowered the other ingredients. She said that she couldn’t taste any in her first one.

None of them were bad, but the inconsistency was a shame as the first one that I had was divine.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Kebet Arayet (Beef & Cracked Wheat Parcels Stuffed With Spinach & Feta) ($12.50)

Both my wife and I agreed that this dish was our least favourite of the night. It wasn’t bad, and I quite happily ate it all however compared to the flavours and textures of the other dishes this one didn’t compare and was just a bit too bland.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Baklawa (Traditional Layered Pastry Filled With Amonds, Pepita & Chia Seeds & Agave Necatar) ($6.50)

The disappointment of the kebet arayat was soon forgotten when my baklawa came out. I was very full by this stage but thankfully my dessert stomach kicked into gear. I was fully expecting to only be able to eat half of it (it was huge) however a normal baklawa this was not. It was a lot lighter than many baklawas that I have dried, with the pastry layers being discernible and not drowned in syrup as is often the case. The top layer and filling were dryer and less sweet than usual, with the super sweet and syrupy elements coming into play in the bottom layer. What this meant was that the baklawa was not overly sweet (in baklawa terms that is) and that it was very crispy and soft at the same time. I was very impressed.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

At the front of the restaurant is a cabinet that contains a small range of Lebanese produce like spices, coffee and tahini for sale.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

When it comes to service, Teta Mona had its ups and downs. When my wife and I were seated out the back we were the only ones there and we must have been forgotten about. Nobody came out to ask us if we wanted something to drink while we were looking at the menu and, when we were ready to order, which was quite a while after we had been seated, I had to go inside and find someone. I noticed that a few tables had become free that were not reserved and found it odd that nobody asked us if we would like to move inside given that it was quite a cold night. I imagine that if we were sitting inside or if the outside was full things would have been a lot smoother.

When we were being attended to, the service was top notch. The staff were really friendly and the homely vibe that you get when you walk inside the restaurant flows through to the attitude of the staff. Our waitress was really friendly, chatty and chirpy – a pleasure to be around. Whenever anyone did talk to us they seemed genuinely nice and wanted to know if we were enjoying the food and our night.

Food wise, the quality of the ingredients was great, and the lightness and freshness of the cooking was apparent in everything we ate. Serving sizes are generous and everything is well priced. It is evident that baking is in the blood of Teta Mona – the highlights of the night all came from dishes that involved pastry and pita bread.

The inconsistencies of some of the dishes combined with the service issues at the start preclude me from saying that I had an excellent experience at Teta Mona, but the positives of the night (plus the fact that it’s next door to my favourite bar in Melbourne, the Alehouse Project) mean that I’ll definitely be back again to try some of the other appealing sounding things on the menu.

To me Teta Mona is a work in progress. All of groundwork is there for it to become a Brunswick East institution however with Lebanese food being done consistently well at Brunswick East stalwart Rumi, literally a minute walk up the road, being good in this part of town isn’t enough.  Antoine and Bechara seem like really nice guys and I hope that over the coming months that they can iron out the remaining kinks and elevate Teta Mona from good to excellent.

teta mona review brunswick east lygon street

Teta Mona

100A Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9380 6680
Email:          n/a
Website:      http://tetamona.com.au/

Open
Tue – Fri: 11:00am to 10:30pm
Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 10:30pm

Teta Mona on Urbanspoon

Perth Food & Drink Guide (Part 2)

Paul
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0
Perth Food & Drink Guide (Part 2)

Following on from my Perth Food & Drink Guide (Part 1) here’s Part 2 of the guide. As with Part 1, I’ve chosen a mixture of places to talk about, ranging from the new and newish, to old favourites that I find myself returning to again and again. Also as with Part 1, I’ve included a few bars in here as a natural consequence of me having had the chance to visit quite a few of them on my trips back. The full spiel can be found at the start of Part 1 of the guide, but for Part 2, I’ll get straight down to business.

Good Fortune Roast Duck House

Good Fortune Roast Duck House is one of my go to options whenever I’m in Perth. When I used to live there it was a Sunday dinner regular and it’s maintained its quality throughout. The many menu options are all quite decent but for me it’s the boneless duck or chicken with rice that I always return for. The flavour is great, and it’s a decent feed for a decent price. The only thing to be wary of is the condiments. On occasion the staff there have been known to not give non-Asian customers the full set of condiments, and it’s happened to me a few times!

There’s a new location in Victoria Park that opened in December 2013. I’ve not been to that one, and am keen to hear from anyone who has been as to what it’s like. Hopefully the opening of a second location doesn’t lead to a drop in standards.

perth food drink guide where to eat good fortune roast duck house

Good Fortune Roast Duck House

344 William Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9228 3293
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://goodfortuneduckhouse.com.au/

Open
Wed – Mon:  10:00am to 10:00pm

Good Fortune Roast Duck House on Urbanspoon

Hawker’s Cuisine

Hawker’s Cuisine is considered by many in Perth to serve some of the best Malaysian food in Perth (and some say Australia). I’ve been several times and have never had a bad meal – in my opinion the food served here is just as good as anything I’ve had in Malaysia. The menu is very extensive and contains all of the classic Malaysian hawker favourites. As far as late night dining in Perth goes, it doesn’t get much better than this. Quick, affordable and authentic.

Hawkers Cuisine is consistently busy and, as of March 2014 they have moved out of their old location in Chinatown to a bigger space on Francis street. All signs are that everything is running smoothly at the new spot and that the food is as good as ever. I look forward to checking it out the next time I’m back.

Hawker’s Cuisine

40 Francis Street
Perth
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9328 9668
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        Facebook

Open
Tue – Thu:  5:00pm to 11:30pm
Fri – Sat:     7:00pm to 12:30am
Sun:            5:00pm to 11:30pm

Hawker's Cuisine on Urbanspoon

Bivouac Canteen & Bar

Bivouac Canteen & Bar was one of the first places that opened up on William Street after the MRA redeveloped the first lot of buildings along the street a few years back as part of the “Perth Cultural Precinct” project. There wasn’t much like it at the time and it’s stayed relevant over the years. Mediterranean influenced dishes, respect to regional origins and traditional methods and decent drinks as well. Always a solid option for a meal or just a drink or two.

Bivouac Canteen & Bar

198 William Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9227 0883
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://bivouac.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat:  12:00pm to 11:00pm

Bivouac Canteen & Bar on Urbanspoon

Frisk Small Bar

Frisk Small Bar is my go to place at the start of a night out in Perth, not the least because it has a very generous happy hour. There are loads of seats out side on which to sit an watch the world go by and a decent selection of craft beers and well as close to 100 different types of gin to choose from, amongst other drinks. Being slightly out from the all of the action gives Frisk a laid back vibe which is great when you want to just chill out and contemplate life.

Frisk Small Bar

103 Francis Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   n/a
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://frisksmallbar.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat:  3:00pm to 12:00am
Sun:          2:00pm to 10:00pm

Frisk. Small Bar on Urbanspoon

Mechanics’ Institute

After a drink at Frisk, Mechanics’ Institute is usually my next stop. If I had to pick a favourite bar in Perth, Mechanics would be close to the top of my list. It’s got a great hidden laneway location, a rooftop deck and some of the best cocktails going around. The staff here really know their stuff and are happy to mix things up beyond what’s on the menu to create some amazing drinks that really match what you’ve said you like. Add to that a nice range of craft beers and some really friendly staff who are always up for a good chat and you can’t go wrong.

Note this place is hard to find. If you look for Flipside burgers on William Street (incidentally, you can order burgers from the bar at Mechanics), you’ll see Mechanics above it. Walk behind the main street, toward the State library and you’ll find your way in.

It will be interesting to see what effect, if any, the boutique hotel being built next door has on Mechanics – hopefully not a negative one.

Mechanics’ Institute

Rear 222 William Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9228 4189
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat:  12:00pm to 12:00am
Sun:          12:00pm to 10:00pm

Mechanics' Institute Bar on Urbanspoon

Ezra Pound

If I’m not starting my night at Frisk, it’s usually because I’m at Ezra Pound. It opened back in the day when getting a beer in a brown paper bag was still a fresh concept and is still going strong. They might not have the most extensive drinks list compared to some of the competition but the small selection is decent and I just really like the vibe of the past. Hipster cues without the pretension. If only licensing would allow them to let people stand out the side and enjoy the sun while having a drink…

Ezra Pound

189 William Street (Down Williams Lane)
Northbridge
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   0415 757 666
Email:            n/a
Website:        http://epbar.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat:  1:00pm to 12:00am
Sun:          1:00pm to 10:00pm

Ezra Pound on Urbanspoon

Jun

Jun was one my of my go-to lunch spots when I used to work in Perth’s CBD. Hidden down a laneway, behind a red door and down a basement, I didn’t know what to expect when I first went and I was very impressed. The place is small and contains a mixture of regular tables and traditional Japanese tables. The food very good and there is some properly authentic stuff on the menu. It’s not uncommon to see ravelling Japanese businessmen in here having dinner. Despite the authenticity, me go-to lunch dish is actually not something that “traditional” at all. It’s the lunch special chicken katsu don – Jun does one of the best in town.

Jun

568 Hay Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9221 3339
Email:            n/a
Website:        n/a

Open
Mon – Fri:  12:00pm to 2:30pm; 6:00pm to 10:pm
Sat:             6:00pm to 10:00pm

Jun on Urbanspoon

Nao

Nao was another go-to option for lunches when I used to work in the CBD. A range of Japanese dishes are offered, with their speciality being the noodle dishes. I generally start with some takoyaki, before moving on to one of the excellent Udon dishes (although Ramen is what they are better known for).

Nao

117 Murray Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9325 2090
Email:            n/a
Website:        http://naojapaneserestaurant.com.au/

Open
Sun:             12:00pm to 4:00pm
Mon – Thu:  11:30pm to 6:30pm
Fri:               11:30pm to 8:30pm

Nao Japanese on Urbanspoon

Bob’s Bar

Bob’s Bar is part of the Brookfield Place redevelopment that occurred a few years ago in what was the old West Australian building and pit in the ground behind it. Today, the pit contains the massive BHP tower and the old heritage buildings have been converted into an impressive area full of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. Bob’s Bar, named after former PM Bob Hawke, is on the rooftop of another bar, Print Hall and is a great space. Yes, the drinks are over-priced as is most of the stuff in this development but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great space to have a drink in and catch up with friends.

I love the old news clippings on the stairs up from Print Hall from around the time Australia won the American’s cup back in September 1983. The ad below is one of my favourites.

perth food drink guide where to eat bob's bar

Bob’s Bar

Brookfield Place
125 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 6282 0077
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://printhall.com.au/bobs-bar/

Open
Mon – Sat:  12:00pm to 12:00am

Bob's Bar on Urbanspoon

Small Print Baker & Roastery

Small Print Baker & Roastery is also part of the Brookfield Place development. Coffee is roasted on site in partnership with Dukes Coffee Roasters of Melbourne and is, as one would expect, excellent. The decent breakfast, lunch and pastry options (all pastry and breaad is baked onsite) make Small Print one of the best daytime options in Brookfield Place.

perth food drink guide where to eat small print

Small Print Baker & Roastery

Brookfield Place
125 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 6282 0022
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://printhall.com.au/small-print-baker-roastery/

Open
Mon – Fri:  6:30am to 4:00pm

Small Print Bakery & Roastery on Urbanspoon

Jus Burgers

Jus Burgers has been around for what seems like forever these days and was the first of the “new wave” burger joints to open up in Perth. They often get voted as having the best burgers in Perth. When there was just the Leederville store and owner Justin (hence “Jus”) was in the kitchen, the burgers were consistently great. These days there are 4 locations and unfortunately quality has suffered. When the burgers are good, they are as good as ever however things are inconsistent and I’ve had burgers that are just ok from Jus too.

In any case, the general strike rate is still decent and I’ve had many more good burgers from Jus than bad ones. My usual order? Cheeseburger with avocado (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) and onion rings.

It’s interesting to see that they closed their one Melbourne store last year – I think it was a matter of being in the wrong location. If they’d opened up on Sydney Road instead of Chapel Street I think they would have been a much greater success. Having said that I never tried the Melbourne outpost so I can’t comment on what they quality was like over east.

Jus Burgers

743 Newcastle Street
Leederville
Western Australia 6007
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9228 2230
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://jusburgers.com.au/

Open
Tue – Sat:    11:30am to 10:30pm
Sun – Mon: 11:30am to 9:30pm

Jus Burgers on Urbanspoon

Duke Carvell’s Swan Lane Emporium: Review

Paul
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0
Duke Carvell’s Swan Lane Emporium: Review

Duke Carvell’s Wellington aka Duke Carvell’s Emporium aka Duke Carvell’s Swan Lane Emporium depending on your fondness for wordiness appears to at first glance tick all of the boxes of a modern day restaurant (or should I say bar/eatery). Located down a laneway off Cuba Street, enter through the front door and you’re soon greeted by staff members attired in the requisite old style/hipster clothing. Moustaches and tattoos are present to round out the check list.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

The vibe is aristocratic mansion library and very eclectic. I liked it and there was no shortage of interesting things to distract me on the walls and shelves while I was waiting for my meal.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Where Duke Carvell’s veers from the script is when it comes to the food. There’s no trend being followed here – just a selection of dishes with a focus on flavour and quality ingredients. A focused selection of local and international wines, local craft beers, and cocktails is also available.

Service is great, and the staff are very attentive and really know their way around the menu. My friend and I ordered one of the lunch specials, which gave us an entree, main, dessert and a glass of wine for $35. During the evenings the menu is more extensive and contains plenty of share plates.

Pumpkin Soup

My friend ordered the pumpkin soup which he quite enjoyed.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Duck Liver Parfait With Toasted Sourdough & Martinborough Apple Jelly

This was delicious. A generous piece of melt in your mouth duck liver parfait served with the classic combination of jelly and toast really hit the spot.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Pan Seared Haloumi With Grilled Fennel, Orange, Cous Cous & Tamarillo Dressing

The saltiness of the haloumi was well balanced against the sweet/tartness of the tamarillo. There were a lot of textures going on in this dish and it tasted great.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Lamb Rack With Parsnip Puree, Shaved Bean Sprout & Shaved Radish Salad

My friend ordered the lamb and was very happy with it. Tasty and cooked just right.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Rhubarb & Meringue Pie With Lemon Curd

This stood out on the menu as the dessert to order and my friend and I both chose it. It was a fitting way to end what was a great lunch. The rhubarb itself was not super sweet, with the sweetness of the meringue bringing the sugar levels to just the right point. The lemon curd added a nice tartness to the pie if desired.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

Flocking To The Duke’s Harem ($24.00)

Wellington’s annual food festival, Wellington On A Plate was, by sheer coincidence, on at the same time that I was in Wellington. There was lots going on food wise, including the burger challenge. Many of Wellington’s restaurants entered a challenge to create a burger to put on their menus during the festival. It was to be matched with one of three Garage Project beers that had just been launched in cans.

Given how much we loved our meal a few days earlier, my friends (a few more friends joined us for Beervana weekend) and I returned to Duke Carvell’s to try their burger. Confit lamb shoulder patty, Zany Zeus halloumi, pomegranate-pickled red cabbage, tahini yoghurt and cos lettuce, with za’atar-seasoned shoestring fries was what was set out in front of us – it was unique and delicious.

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

duke carvell's wellington swan lane emporium where to eat

I really enjoyed Duke Carvell’s. Great service, great food and drinks and a diverse crowd made for a very enjoyable meal and the next time I’m in town I’ll be making another visit for sure.

Duke Carvell’s Swan Lane Emporium

3 Swan Lane
Te Aro
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Telephone: (04) 385 2240
Email:          [email protected]
Website:      http://dukecarvell.co.nz/

Open
Mon – Fri: 12:00am to 1:00pm
Sat – Sun:  9:00am to 12:00pm

Duke Carvell's Swan Lane Emporium on Urbanspoon

Gladioli, Inverleigh

Paul
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0
Gladioli, Inverleigh

Gladioli in Inverleigh is located on a quiet street (which also happens to be the main street), in a quiet town where the usual small town pointers are present. The post office, the general store, the service station make High Street look very much like any other small town street. There is, however something very different about High Street Inverleigh, and that’s what’s hidden behind the unassuming weatherboard house at number 14.

Owner and head chef Matt Dempsey uses local, seasonal ingredients combined with fine dining techniques to give local diners, and those who are willing to make the trek 20 minutes south of Geelong, a dining experience that would not be out of place in Melbourne’s CBD, but for the laid back, country style vibe and cute backyard area. Gladioli is more family friendly that this sort of restaurant usually is, and there were plenty of families eating together on the Sunday lunch that my wife and I visited

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings and on Thursday and Friday at lunch an a la carte menu is available and during other times, it’s a choice between a 5  or 8 course tasting menu at $80 and $110 respectively. My wife and I went for the 8 course tasting menu.

Parmesan Crisps, Watermelon With Beetroot Gel & Horseradish Cream, White Bean Puree & House Made Grissini

To start with was a sharing board with a selection of bits and pieces to try. My favourite was the watermelon, with its interesting clash of textures and flavours.

gladioli inverleigh review

Prawn, Avocado, Green Chilli & Sesame Seed

The start of the meal proper was a good one, with some great textures and flavours.

gladioli inverleigh review

Heirloom Carrots With Savoury Carrot Cake and Olive Oil Powder

This was our least favourite dish of the night. The carrots were delicious, however the olive oil powder didn’t seem to do anything to enhance the dish and the savoury carrot cake didn’t quite work.

gladioli inverleigh review

Octopus, Cuttlefish & Fennel

This dish was very nice, with the fennel flavour really working with the freshness of the seafood.

gladioli inverleigh review

Smoked Eel, Potato, Yolk & Sage

This smoked eel consume was very tasty, as the consume was poured into our bowls at the table, everything that was going on with the dish was explained to us by the staff who were, in general, very friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. All of the flavours combined brilliantly here and it was one of the afternoon’s highlights.

gladioli inverleigh review

 Duck With Duck Neck Sausage, Parsnip Mash, Currants & Five Spice

This was very tasty, the skin on the duck was perfectly crispy and the meat was very tender.

gladioli inverleigh review

Pork Belly, Parmesan Crumb, Parmesan Foam

This was one of my favourite dishes of the day. It’s like a Sunday roast on a whole other level. The components were actually quite simple and the flavours were brilliant and very hearty – my favourite dish of the day.

gladioli inverleigh review

Salted Caramel Parfait, Peanuts & Meringue

This dessert was excellent. It tasted like a Snickers bar and was very satisfying.

gladioli inverleigh review

Strawberries, Vanilla, Yoghurt

This dessert wasn’t as impressive as the prior one. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it didn’t really stand out.

gladioli inverleigh review

The room might be empty in the photo below, but that’s only because we were the last to leave after lunch. When we arrived the place was full.

gladioli inverleigh review

gladioli inverleigh review

I was really impressed by my meal at Gladioli. The food was generally very good and the atmosphere felt very relaxing and country like. There’s a lot of great food throughout regional Victoria that I’ve yet to try, and if Gladioli is indicative of what to expect from its peers, then there’s a lot to look forward to.

Gladioli

14 High Street
Inverleigh
Victoria 3321
Australia

Telephone: (03) 5265 1111
Email:          [email protected]
Website:     http://gladiolirestaurant.com.au/

Open
Lunch, Thu – Sun:  from 12:00pm
Dinner, Wed – Sat: from 6:00pm

Gladioli on Urbanspoon

Adelaide Central Market

Paul
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2
Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide Central Market is something that I was completely ignorant about before I visited Adelaide, and it ended up being one of my favourite things in the city.

Just before Christmas, my wife and I caught a plane to Adelaide and for our carry on luggage, brought an empty cooler with us. The plan was to drive back to Melbourne via the Barossa Valley and any other places that sounded interesting and to fill up the cooler with all kinds of great produce from the places that we discovered.

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We didn’t think that we would start filling the cooler up until we had left Adelaide, but then we discovered the Adelaide Central Market.

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Established in 1869, the City Markets as they were then known were little more than a piece of land where several market growers decided to set up stalls to sell their produce. Within a year, the markets were officially established as an ongoing operation, opening on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

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Today, the Adelaide Central Market is where retailers and producers alike gather to sell fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and other products. There are also a variety of cafes inside and the atmosphere is very lively.

My wife and I were very impressed by the selection of cheeses and smallgoods available in the market. It seemed that every second shop was selling their own Mettwurst, owing to the large number of Germans who immigrated to South Australia over the years.

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The Smelly Cheese Shop was one of our favourite shops. It had a huge selection of local and imported cheeses and the staff were very knowledgeable about all of the different products on offer. The fact that there were tasting sessions on didn’t hurt either.

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As well as the traditional market stalls, there were quite a few newer stores in the market selling all kinds of organic produce and more fashionable food items. This shop had a great selection of cereals and grains and was very much on trend with the food movement of today.

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I was really impressed with all that the Adelaide Central Market had to offer. It many ways it reminded me of La Boqueria Market in Barcelona and we left the market with a few items to start our journey with. It was hard to exercise self restraint and not stock up on more.

Discovering Australia’s Great Ocean Road

Paul
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2
Discovering Australia’s Great Ocean Road

Australia’s Great Ocean Road, located on the south coast of the state of Victoria, is considered by many to be one of the best scenic drives in the world. Extending 243 kilometres (151 miles) between the cities of Torquay and Allensford, the Great Ocean Road passes through through huge sections of coastline, beaches, limestone cliffs, bush, and rainforest.

Built by 3,000 returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial, and is dedicated to those who died during World War I.

The most well known part of the Great Ocean Road is the section that goes through the Port Campbell National Park, which contains a number of sheer cliff faces that overlook offshore islets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, and blow-holes. My wife and I visited several of these spots as we left Port Campbell before reaching the most famous of them all, the Twelve Apostles, which is about a 3 hour drive from Melbourne.

Bay Of Islands

The Bay of Islands is part of the Bay of Islands Coastal Park. It contains a range of reefs, sea stacks and red limestone bluffs. Unlike some of the other more extreme attractions along this stretch of the Great Ocean Road, the Bay of Islands is a lot calmer and you can get very close the beach and sea level.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

Bay Of Martyrs

The Bay of Martyrs is similar to the Bay of Islands, and contains a similar assortment of of reefs, sea stacks and red limestone bluffs.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

The Grotto

The Grotto is a sinkhole formation, with the bottom being accessible by foot via a set of stairs. This was one of my favourite stops as it was quite unique. The calm water of the sinkhole and the frothy intensity of the ocean just beyond created a spectacular contrast.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

London Bridge

Named for its similarity to London Bridge, this double span natural bridge collapsed in 1990, leaving only the arch in place, stranded from the mainland.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

The Arch

Formed through erosion, like the other formations along this part of the Great Ocean Road, the Arch makes for some fascinating viewing when the waves violently crash into it.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

Loch & Gorge

Loch & Gorge is named after the ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Mutton Island on 1 June 1878 en route to Melbourne from England. Only 2 of the 54 people on board survived – 15 year old Tom Pearce and 17 year old Eva Carmichael, who washed ashore at this site.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip

The Gibson Steps

Time was escaping us on the day that my wife and I were driving along the Great Ocean Road so unfortunately we didn’t get an opportunity to explore the Gibson Steps, which consists of 86 steps hand-carved (since replaced by concrete steps) into the cliffs by local landowner Hugh Gibson in the 1870s.

The Twleve Apostles

The most famous of the Great Ocean Road landmarks, the Twelve Apostles were formed by erosion which, over time carved caves into the limestone cliffs, which became arches which then collapsed to form majestic rock stacks up to 45 meters high.

The site was originally named the “Sow & Piglets”, until it was renamed to “The Apostles” for purposes of tourism in 1922. It eventually became known as the Twelve Apostles, despite only ever containing 9 rock stacks. On 3 July 2005, one of the stacks collapsed, leaving only 8 remaining.

Despite the rock stacks eroding at the base at 2-3 centimetres a year, new stacks are eventually expected to form due to erosion of what is today the cliff face.

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip 12 apostles

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip 12 apostles

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip 12 apostles

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip 12 apostles

great ocean road australia scenic drive road trip 12 apostles

The Great Ocean Road is something that I had heard about many years before I moved to Melbourne, and I was very grateful that I finally had the opportunity to discover this stunning part of the world. Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m very much a “city” kind of traveller and that urban exploration is my passion however during this trip, nature was my focus and it was impossible not to be awed by the majesty the landscape. The fact that there is so much erosion occurring in this area, and that nothing is static serves to add to the experience.

The world goes on and nature does what it does, regardless of how much humans try to manipulate things. For me, the Great Ocean Road was a place of discovery and contemplation and I find it hard to imagine how anybody could not be effected in some way by visiting.

The Twelve Apostles was the only part of this journey that I felt like I was visiting a tourist attraction. It’s busy and hectic and there are lots of people around. I thought this was quite interesting given how desolate and quiet all of the other attractions were. It’s easy to see why the Twelve Apostles is the most popular of the stops, however I would highly recommend visiting at least a few of the other stops, as the experience is quite different.

Perth Food & Drink Guide (Part 1)

Paul
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4
Perth Food & Drink Guide (Part 1)

The food and drink scene in Perth has grown in leaps and bounds since I left in 2009. Although there are certainly areas that could still be improved upon, there’s no doubt that these days things are better than ever for those who enjoy eating and drinking out in Perth.

On my first trip back to Perth after 18 months away, it was possible to see everywhere that was new and worthwhile in the space of a few short days. Today, there is a much wider selection of places at which to eat and drink and whenever I’m back home I only get to try a handful of the new places on offer because I always run out of time.

Gone are the days when restaurateurs and bar owners would open venues that were pale imitations of what was on offer in Melbourne and Sydney. Today, many of the new places that are opening in Perth are just as exciting as those in Melbourne and Sydney and, in some cases, anywhere else in the world. A new-found confidence is evident throughout the city and people are more willing than ever to draw on their inspirations, both internationally and locally, to open some great venues.

The mining boom has resulted in food and drink prices in Perth sky-rocketing, which is unfortunate and there are still roadblocks that stop the eating and drinking scene from reaching its full potential (liquor licencing forcing great small bars to close at midnight, and almost arbitrarily denying patrons the ability to stand outside in enclosed outdoor areas to have a drink and enjoy the great weather for example) however there’s no denying that for locals and visitors alike, there are great meals, great drinks and great times to be had in Perth… and things are only getting better.

Spurred on by the popularity and positive feedback to my “Where I Ate In 2013” Melbourne posts that I wrote up, and by the fact that over the past few months I’ve been asked on several occasions if I could provide Perth food and drink tips to various people, I was inspired to write up something similar for Perth too given that I’ve eaten and drunk quite a lot in Perth over the past year.

I’ve chosen a mixture of places to talk about, ranging from the new and newish, to old favourites that I find myself returning to again and again. As opposed to my usual food focus, I’ll be including a few more bars as a natural consequence of me having had the chance to visit quite a few of them on my trips back. On that note, let’s get down to business with Part 1 of my Perth Food & Drink Guide.

Pleased To Meet You

Clint Nolan’s latest venue, Pleased To Meet You, has opened up on Roe Street, in a part of Northbridge that’s set to explode once the Perth City Link project linking the CBD and Northbridge is completed. The venue is spacious, industrial and minimal and the vibe is very funky and causal – a pig roasting over coals is in clear view when perched at the bar makes a statement about what this place is about.

The food is Asian hawker inspired with a sprinkling of North American influences for good measure. Dishes are served in portions designed to share. A very decent selection of drinks are on offer, including a very decent selection of craft beers from Australia and overseas.

perth food drink guide where to eat pleased to meet you

When I visited the overall verdict was that the food was very good. The pig, which is served in 100 gram portions, was very tender and the crackling was delicious. There were a few things that were saltier than they needed to be and when my friend mentioned this to the attentive barman he was very receptive. It was the week of opening so it was to be expected that a few weeks would be required to get the balance of everything just right. I’ll be interested to go back next time I’m in town now that Pleased to Meet You has had time to find its feet given how promising my first visit was.

Pleased To Meet You

38 Roe Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   n/a
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        Facebook

Open
Mon – Thu:  5:00pm to 12:00am
Fri – Sun:     12:00pm to 12:00am

Pleased To Meet You on Urbanspoon

Sayers Sister

Sayers Sister is, as the name suggests, the sister cafe to Leederville’s Sayers. The thing I really like about Sayers Sister is that it exemplifies for me what a cafe should be about. Slightly hidden in a residential part of town, the lack of pretension is noticeable as soon as you walk in. The inside is not full of exposed brick or trying to be on trend, it’s just slightly eclectic and “nice”.

This attitude flows through to the rest of the experience at Sayers Sister too. Service is friendly (although I have heard that it can get affected during the hectic period at breakfast on weekends), and the food is great. Quality, seasonal ingredients source from local producers and simple dishes done well. Add in some excellent coffee using a Five Sense house blend and you can’t go wrong. One of the best breakfast options in Perth, and a great spot for a coffee and cake later on in the day.

Sayers Sister

236 Lake Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9227 7506
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://www.sayersfood.com.au/

Open
Mon – Fri:   7:00am to 5:00pm
Sat – Sun:    7:00am to 4:00pm

Sayers Sister on Urbanspoon

The Old Crow

The Old Crow was one of my favourite new Perth openings of 2013. It’s take on Southern Style American food is a refreshing change from the usual “trend of the moment” venues. Yes, American “dude food” has been on trend for the past year, but the food at the Old Crow is more than this. It eschews many of the typical options found on similar menus around the country for food that stands out.

Buttermilk, biscuits, a few fried bits and bobs, maple, hot sauce – it’s all there but it’s a bit more sophisticated. Sophisticated food doesn’t mean stuffy though, and the vibe is fun, and the service excellent. A table outside is highly recommended if you can get one.

perth food drink guide where to eat the old crow

The Old Crow

172 Newcastle Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9227 9995
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://theoldcrow.com.au/

Open
Mon:          8:00am to 10:00pm
Thu:           10:00am to 10:00pm
Fri:             10:00am to 11:00pm
Sat – Sun:   8:00am to 11:00pm

The Old Crow on Urbanspoon

Mary Street Bakery

I’ve been to Mary Street Bakery a few times and while the food is good (I have had breakfast and lunch there), there’s nothing that really stands out as being particularly special. The real highlights in my opinion are the delicious cakes, desserts and coffee. A great venue to catch up with friends during the day.

The staff are friendly, but things can get a bit confused when the place gets busy and you’re waiting for a table.

perth food drink guide where to eat mary street bakery

Mary Street Bakery

507 Beaufort Street
Highgate
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   0499 509 300
Email:            n/a
Website:        http://marystreetbakery.com.au/

Open
Mon – Sun:   7:00am to 4:00pm

Mary Street Bakery on Urbanspoon

Ace Pizza

Ace Pizza has become a staple of my family when they are in the mood for some pizza to take home and enjoy. There’s a good reason for this. Proper thin based wood fired Italian pizzas with a handful of toppings that let the quality ingredients shine (the way it’s supposed to be). Are they the best pizzas in Perth? It’s arguable, but regardless they are very decent and well worth your time.

If dining in, the venue is very much on trend. A side street entrance, bearded folk, retro Campari glasses and an assortment of other 2013 appropriate dining hallmarks are all present. There are a range of non pizza options on the menu that I’m yet to try, but it all looked quite decent. Next time I’m in town I’ll be sure to dine in and see if the rest of the food matches the pizzas.

Ace Pizza

448 Beaufort Street
Highgate
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   0499 448 000
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://acepizza.com.au/

Open
Mon – Sun:   5:30am to 10:00pm

Ace Pizza on Urbanspoon

The Classroom

My wife and I visited The Classroom with a large group of friends and were very impressed with, well everything. There’s not too much in this part of town which makes the Classroom somewhat unique – you can’t just stumble upon it, you have to know it’s where you want to be.

The fit out is influenced by classrooms and what looks like a library. It’s a little bit fun and a little bit sophisticated at the same time.

perth food drink guide where to eat the classroom

The menu is like a grown up version of what would be found in the school canteen of your dreams and the cocktails are creative and brilliant. The staff really know their stuff and there are a lot of top shelf spirits on offer. There’s a nice little selection of craft beer too.

The Classroom

356 Charles Street
North Perth
Western Australia 6006
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9444 7729
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://theclassroom.com.au/

Open
Tue – Fri:   4:00pm to 12:00am
Sat:            12:00pm to 12:00am
Sun:           12:00pm to 10:00pm

The Classroom on Urbanspoon

Varnish On King

Varnish on King is one of those places that makes one think “wow Perth is really changing” (ignoring the 10:30pm lockout which has been enforced upon the venue – baby steps Perth).

Heading down the stairs into the basement, patrons enter into Andrew Freeman’s (of Luxe fame) 1920s speak-easy style den with low lighting, comfy seating and lots of wood. It’s the kind of place that I always wished existed in Perth when I lived there. The staff are friendly and really know their stuff and the vibe is really laid back.

perth food drink guide where to eat varnish on king

As for the drinks. The main focus is on whiskey, with over 100 American variants on offer (as well as a few from north of the border). There’s a very decent selection of international wines too. I haven’t had a chance to eat at Varnish, but the menu is local ingredients with an American twist.

Varnish On King

75 King Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9324 2237
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://varnishonking.com/

Open
Mon – Fri:   11:30pm to 12:00am (10:30pm lockout)
Sat:              4:00pm to 12:00am (10:30pm lockout)

Varnish on King on Urbanspoon

Enriques School For To Bullfighting

Enriques School For To Bullfighting (no that’s not a typo) is tale of two bars. I cannot talk about the venue without talking about the food. It’s a focused menu, with an emphasis on sharing in theory. In theory I say, because the food is, even by Perth standards expensive and serving sizes are small. In addition, the menu is too “creative” for its own good. Chips for example aren’t chips but are actually croquettes and some dishes aren’t at all what one would expect given the description. The food bill comes at the end of the night and it’s a shock given the lack of a full stomach that both my wife (who doesn’t have a big appetite) and I had.

perth food drink guide where to eat enriques school for to bullfighting

Moving onto the drinks however, and it’s a completely different story. An interesting selection of affordable wines is on offer and the cocktails are delicious with a mixture of classics and unique creations – all reasonably priced for the area.

The drink highlight though has to be the gin. The gin menu contains 15 gins, 15 garnishes and 5 tonic waters. Patrons can choose from some preselected combinations or make up their own combos. It’s a great idea and really encourages people to experiment with the different flavour profiles of the gins and to learn about what a difference the garnish and tonic can make.

Service was great and my friends and I all had a brilliant time. I won’t be returning to Enriques for the food at the prices that were being charged, but for drinks, I’ll be back for sure.

perth food drink guide where to eat enriques school for to bullfighting

Enriques School For To Bullfighting

484 Beaufort Street
Highgate
Western Australia 6003
Australia

Telephone:   0438 248 414
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://enriques.com.au/

Open
Wed – Thu:   5:00pm to 10:00pm
Fri – Sun:      3:00pm to 10:00pm

Enrique's School for to Bullfighting on Urbanspoon

Lalla Rookh

Lalla Rookh is the kind of venue that is helping to raise the profile of Italian food beyond that of pizza and pasta. As part of the slow restoration of life outside of 9-5 on St Georges Terrace, head chef Joel Valvasori focuses on local, seasonal produce to produce traditional Italian food that’s designed to share along with an impressive selection of local wines with a few local craft beers too which is always appreciated.

perth food drink guide where to eat lalla rookh

The charcuterie board was great however my wife and I both agreed that the highlight was the bone marrow. There was a lot on the menu that I like the looks of, and the constant emphasis on the producers and source of the ingredients was evident throughout, at a level more impressive than usual – it’s more than tokenism here.

Lalla Rookh

Lower Ground
77 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   (08) 9325 7077
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://lallarookh.com.au/

Open
Mon – Fri:   11:30am to 12:00am
Sat:              5:00pm to 12:00am

Lalla Rookh Bar & Eating House on Urbanspoon

Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall

In the space formerly occupied by Zekka lies Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall. Zekka used to be one of my favourite coffee spots back in the day and I loved their muffins.  There’s something that’s great about this space going way back to the days when it was Hudsons (damn I’m getting old) and thankfully Uncle Joe’s still has that cool kind of vibe about it.

I haven’t had a chance to eat the food at Uncle Joe’s yet but I can confirm that they do a very decent coffee, including cold drip.

Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall

76 King Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   0417 783 222
Email:            n/a
Website:        Facebook

Open
Mon – Sat:   7:00am to 4:00pm

Uncle Joe's on Urbanspoon

Toastface Grillah

Down a laneway, check. Street art, check. Loud music, check. Pop culture hip-hip reference in the name, check. Toastface Grillah certainly has all of the boxes ticked when it comes to the hipster guide to a successful venue but in 2013, that alone won’t sustain you and Toastface has proven that it’s got what it needs to survive after the novelty has worn off. Just at the end of Grand Lane below to the right is where it can be found.

perth food drink guide where to eat toastface grillah

What is that something? A range of toasted sandwiches with a mixture of 8 classic and unique fillings using to quality ingredients and some great coffee and tea. The Apple & Gouda is a highlight for me.  More often than not the simple things done well is all one needs. I know it’s what makes me happy.

Toastface Grillah

Lower Ground
77 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia

Telephone:   0409 115 909
Email:            [email protected]
Website:        http://toastfacegrillah.com/

Open
Mon – Fri:   7:00am to 4:00pm
Sat:              9:00am to 4:00pm

Toastface Grillah on Urbanspoon

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