PERTH | Jess Blyth’s wine bar Sonny’s Bar, has been hit with locals since opening in Mount Hawthorn in 2022. It’s a welcome addition to a part of Perth that’s seen several quality venues emerge in recent years. It’s a small spot with a relaxed, 70s retro vibe. There’s a mix of large and cosy spots inside, and shaded seating out front that’s perfect for people watching along Scarborough Beach Road on a sunny afternoon.
The kitchen is dominated by a large brick wood fired grill, which you can admire from the bar. Sofika Boulton (ex Wildflower, Bar Rouge) took over the reigns of the kitchen in July this year, and has developed a menu filled with tasty, snacky things, cooked over fire.
Dishes showcase top quality Western Australian produce sourced from small, independent growers. There’s a minimal waste ethos in the kitchen, and Sofika is doing lots of interesting things turning what would otherwise be thrown away in sauces, ferments, emulsions and the like. The menu is small, which means that if you come with a group of friends like I did, you can try it all. And you’ll want to.
When I visited, I enjoyed things like ricotta with roasted strawberries, potato hash with cured yolk, crispy skinned cobia fillet and belly with roast chicken butter, and pork chop and belly with blood orange, and saffron mustard. Even simple fluffy puffed flatbread with airy whipped butter, and a Basque cheese cake, are memorable.
Drinks wise, it’s classic cocktails, and house creations inspired by the kitchen, local craft beers, and a fun and interesting wine list that showcases small-scale Aussie producers. I highly recommend trying the Smokey Gibson. It’s a take on the classic featuring olive gin, charred onion vermouth, and pickled onion.
Sonny’s Bar
126 Hobart Street
Mount Hawthorn
Western Australia 6016
Australia
Telephone: n/a
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Website
Open
Sun: 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Wed: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Thu: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 12:00am