PERTH | Originating as a pop-up in 2018, owner/chef Dwight Alexander’s restaurant, Peasant’s Paradice, is an ode to his background influenced by family recipes, and ingredients not typically seen in Perth restaurants.
Dwight was born in Zimbabwe, with South African, Indian, and Portuguese heritage. He grew up there, and spent his teens in New Zealand before moving to Perth. It’s this diverse, multicultural background that informs Dwight’s food, which is close to his heart, and doesn’t follow the rules.
On the menu, you’ll find ingredients like tripe, trotters, and okra being used to great effect in an elevated manner. Dishes include things like injera with vegetarian doro wat, green mango pickle, and eggplant lemon dip; sweet and sour cauliflower with derere, curry leaves, and fried Jerusalem artichoke; and South African cape Malay beef mince curry with hummus, currants, toasted pine nuts, and pomegranate dressing with toast.
One of my favourite things on the menu, is a dish inspired by Dwight’s mum’s pickled fish rillette recipe. It’s a zesty dish featuring said rillette, spiced pineapple yoghurt, fennel and radish slaw, and toast. It’s the embodiment of what makes Peasant’s Paradice such a unique Perth dining experience.
A handy glossary at the bottom of the menu provides an explanation of many of the ingredients and terms that diners might not be aware of, and Dwight and the team are happy to explain any of the dishes to you, whether that be a particular ingredient, or the story behind the dish.
To drink, it’s a sharp selection of Western Australia alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including interesting cocktails that draw from the same inspiration as the food. Wines are fun and interesting, with a focus on minimal intervention drops.
Be sure to keep an eye on Peasant’s Paradice’s socials. Dwight runs special nights semi-regularly throughout the year. You can expect things like themed curry nights, and cajun crab boil sessions.
Peasant’s Paradice
197 Brisbane Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6000
Australia
Telephone: (08) 6113 8959
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Wed – Thu: 5:00pm to 8:30pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 9:00pm