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Oh Northbridge, I love this change in you.
Marinated olives
Chicken parfait, hibiscus, parsley, shallot
Free range bbq (deboned) chicken wings, granny smith apple Hallelujah .. wave goodbye to sticky fingers!
Beef carpaccio, wasabi, soy
36 hour pork, witlof, onion, puffed grains
Lamb belly, sweet and sour eggplant, grapefruit
Spanner crab salad, orange, buttermilk, herbs
Is it right to eat dessert at breakfast? Mary Street Bakery's head chef Courtney Gibb is forever pushing the breakfast boundaries and turning the boring ol' hour of eggs on toast and bircher on its head. Our ensemble had the air of a decadent evening meal but was happily consumed with coffee before the clock struck 10am.
A luxe way to start the weekend with favourite friends Ai-Ling of Food Endeavours of the Blue Apocalypse, Custard & Co's hustler Caitlyn (also of Mixed Dozen) and Stacey Clark Stylist. We spent the hours talking shiny new diaries, pop up dining adventures with Custard & Co that will soon fill up our calendars and all the wonders that inspire us about embracing the clean slate that is the new year. Fuelled by salted caramel, candied bacon and caffeine we went on our merry way clutching our Custard & Co Family Xmas ciders.
Love you girls xo
Cured salmon brown rice avocado seaweed
Ricotta gnocchi corn hazelnut kale pecorino
Stacey Clark, myself and Ai-Ling with our Custard & Co Family Xmas ciders.
Salted caramel popsicle chocolate fudge candied bacon
I'm definitely a Swan Valley girl at heart. I grew up in Henley Brook, before this rural village-style living was barely a whisper. Blessed with a childhood of vegetable patches and scarecrows, weekends fearlessly riding ponies through the bush. Our family home is still just that, the scarecrow might be gone but that dry, hot scent of summers gone remains unchanged.
I love taking that long, winding drive down West Swan Rd and seeing how the view has shaped over the years. Pointing out familiar houses that have stood the test of time, whilst pleasantly surprised to see some have moved aside for new developments. The Swan Valley is just brimming with fresh new life, that Australian spirit of let's give it a red hot go lingers here.
Mandoon Estate is one of those new additions and is home to a fine dining restaurant, winery with a classy cellar door and the Homestead Brewery. When you enter the gates and take it all in, you can't help but think … why didn't anyone do this before? The green grass sprawls with families enjoying hot lamb rolls and deli meats in the sunshine and not worrying that the kids are running riot on the playground. The restaurant is a relaxing reprieve to the chaos outside whilst the brewery is lively, full of cheer and welcomed cold beer.
I'm yet to enjoy one of those hot lamb rolls, but have now spent two separate Sundays enjoying the laid back vibe at Homestead. You've gotta love a good dose of pub food after a day of sampling far too many wines. Mandoon Estate really captures the essence of the Swan Valley, a haven for families to retreat, where kids can be kids and where honest, wholesome local produce grows strong.
Beef and black swan pie with steamed buttery vegetables
Pizza, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, basil, San Marzano's
Wagyu beef, brioche, baby cos, pickles, house made ketchup and chips
Roasted beetroot, quinoa, roasted sandalwood nuts, goats curd and lemon
Beer battered goldband snapper with chips
Marinated pork ribs, corn bread
With a pocketful of gems we manoeuvred our way through the Gourmet Village, eating and sipping, stall after stall. A bite here and a bite there, often stopping for a chat all the while discovering the magic that the South West and beyond are serving up. Gourmet Escape is by far one of my favourite weekends on my culinary calendar.
Here is a snapshot of some of my favourite stops on our journey .
Voyager Estate - Sashimi of tuna ponzu dressing seaweed toasted sesame and radish
Poach Pear and Linley Valley had all sorts of piggy goodness at their stall. I have always been a sucker for Poach Pear's terrines and this time it was a pork and apple number served with homemade piccalilli.
That's Sam Ward cooking up a Blackwood Valley beef heart with ants!
Limeburners whiskey
Justin Bell and the Pinchos team were serving up an awesome little taster. Surtido de Pintxos Andalucian tomato soup with Px vinegar salt cod & potato croquette with goats cheese and honey chocolate and fig truffle
Vasse Felix - Pulled pork shoulder & Kimchee slide
Cowaramup Foods - BBQ'd lime salt WA tiger prawns family grown snow pea and sugar snap salad aioli Grilled haloumi snowpea salad lemon pesto
It's always a pleasure to see Andy Mc behind the bar again!
Lot 20's signature Espresso Highball gave a welcome caffeine kick. A new take on an old favourite and topped with luscious meringue style foam with a sweet but salty punch.
Whipper Snapper Distillery headed down and were serving up Crazy Uncle in a refreshing limey thirst quencher
Hay Shed Hill - Crispy soft shell crab tortilla with smoky corn salsa chipotle mayonnaise
The wonderful people from Eagle Bay Brewing Company joined forces with el Publico. This collaboration saw the A team conquer a sell out Mexican dinner where they served up an exclusive Agave Ale using Agave plants, cinnamon, star anise and rye malts.
A little birdie told me the Agave Ale might be available at El Publico so be sure to keep a look out.
Apple Daily Bar & Eating House - Smoked ocean trout from Huon with green mango salad him jam
Its little cafes like this that ensure I step out of the comfort zone and venture outside the shire of Mt Lawley. Harvest Espresso is the kind of place you want to call your local.
You will spot this bustling gem by the throngs of people standing outside, patiently waiting for a table. Clutching the menu wide eyed with grumbling tummies, wondering what to order, they would all tell you its definitely worth the wait.
The team at Harvest Espresso serve up serious coffee and the prettiest plates. The beef tongue was possibly one of the hottest breky plates captured on Instagram this Spring. Served up on a delightfully fluffy grilled polenta, sauce gribiche, gorgeous poached eggs with the brightest puddles of yoke and a crunchy sprinkling of rye and mixed seed.
Chef Jason Jujnovich spent many moons in the kitchen at Divido, a hidden gem in Mt Hawthorn serving up smashing regional Italian fare. Chef's Back to Balkan feasts provided exceptional value, tables laden with peasant style fare paying homage to his Eastern European roots.
I’m pretty sure that Divido is still going strong, but those Balkan flavours have been taken to the streets with Jason hanging up his chef whites and bidding farewell to the restaurant world. I love feel-good-foodie stories of those who crave a sea change and muster up the courage to take that leap of faith. Jason and his wife are now tackling the world of food trucks, markets and street food, embarking on a new adventure with their pop up stall, Back to Balkan.
I met Jason whilst madly (hmm .. okay maybe badly) pressing empadas on the first night of the Inglewood Night Markets at the Marcelita’s Empanadas stall. It’s pretty handy living so close to Beaufort St. Now I can pop down on a Monday night and support local producers and peddlers whilst stocking up on organic groceries and grabbing something for dinner. I got a little more than I bargained for when my friends at Marcelita's Empadas were an empanada-ida down. So many familiar faces from the market scene popped by whilst I was pitching in. So it was only right that when the next Monday rolled in, I stopped by Back to Balkan to show my support.
Grilled Pork-Belly Roll - This gorgeous creature holds pork-belly which is slow cooked for 12 hours sous vide and finished on the BBQ, then served in a toasted brioche bun with slaw and spicy sauce.
Fritule - pronounced fri-too-lay! Oh so more-ish Croatian doughnuts based on Jason's Nanna's recipe.
The Perth food scene is in this crazy state of evolution, such an exciting space to be in right now. If pork-belly in brioche and Croatian doughnuts tickle your fancy, you will find the Jason behind the Back to Balkan grill on Mondays at the Inglewood Night Markets or this Saturday night at Maylands Markets. Ukusan!
My haul of exquisite local produce from Margaret River Farmers' Markets and Gourmet Escape, plus the little adventures in between.
Ben and Elvis from Porteno. An old shearing shed with stunning rustic decor. Akrady lamb cooking over the fire. Local produce. Feast in the Forest was everything I've ever wanted from an afternoon down south.
Twas a frantic morning in the office when tickets to the satellite events at Gourmet Escape went on sale. I think I leapt out of my chair, fist in the air, yelling yessssss!
It was so lovely to step away from the stiff corporate hoo haa and just experience an amazing feast where the food simply spoke for itself.
CANAPES
Charred toast with romesco and marinated sardines
Water crackers with morcilla and smoked oyster mayo
Black lipped mussels in chilli and black bean
Leeuwin Estate Wines was on the pour and Colonial Brewing Company's latest addition, #1. I swear when I go to edit my photos, every second photo has a dirty big man thumb in the background (thanks Ryan!). The photo ahead just took it one further as he found another recruit.
MEATS AND SIDES
Cordero a la cruz - wood fired lamb with chimichurri
Crispy fried brussel sprouts with lentils and mint
BBQ peppers with ricotta. chilli and garlic
Ensalada clasica - tomato and onion salad
DESSERTS
Porteno pavlova
One of my faves at Inglewood Night Markets is Satay on Charcoal. Satay chicken or beef served with peanut satay sauce, cucumber and coconut rice.
It's kinda hard not to have a love hate relationship with Korean bbq. I am down with pickles and spice, the frozen pieces of meat don't phase me and I am quite happy to cook my own meat and chop it up with communal scissors. It's just the aroma of smokey cooked meat that clings to your clothes, following you home like an awkward first date.
Bbq cologne aside, Tong 86 with its gritty warehouse interior is perfect for a group catch up. Sinking Korean beers, we ordered an assortment of meat and fired up the cooker. All eyes were on the pancake and pork belly, as we drowned each mouthful in kimchee.
A cheap and tasty farewell dinner for our fab friend Hannah. Complete with a fragrant little bonus.
When in Rome …
I'm not talking about an outback Aussie pub where the toilet is down the grassy footpath and the menu consists of soggy chips and two day old pie. This is Bill's Bars & Bites, named after the first settler in Leederville, William Leeder or Bill as he was affectionately known. Bill's offers small bites and an awesome drink list with a stellar fit out. One visit will have you heading back for more.
Sicilian olives and chorizo polenta
Amuse bouche - a delicate gazpacho
Every now and then I stumble upon a stream of food photos that I forgot to blog about. One glimpse and they transport me back those plates and places rich with flavour. Cecchi's has long been a favourite. A welcoming family restaurant serving modern renditions of Italian classics. Whilst the menu has turned over, refreshed as the months roll on, you will still find yourself with the plate just as pretty.
You can tell that each ribbon of the papperdelle is made with love.
Burnt sage and pea ravioli
Pour over silky chocolate ganache and then bite into the oozey middle of these ricotta doughnuts.
I love the fit out with its punches of cool blue, exposed brick, low hanging warehouse lights and pretty tiles.
Hi, I am Laura and I am an addict. Since the glass door swung open, I have easily ventured into Pleased to Meet You every other week to get my fix.
Maybe it's my love for street food and food trucks, or the staff who are as laid back as the hip hop tunes they play. Hidden amongst the asian haunts of Northbridge, the stripped back warehouse style feel welcomes you with small bar ambience. It is just all kinds of right making you go back for another hit of beef tongue reuben euphoria.
A sneaky little tip is to head in early on a Sunday. Whilst all the breky joints are heaving with 40 minute table waits, Pleased to Meet You is only gearing up. Who wouldn't want a wagyu burger and a cocktail for breakfast?
Beef tongue rueben sandwiches in steamed mantou … this is my kinda heaven!
Oh duck tacos … you make me so happy!
The Argentinian pork sandwich (hello crispy crackling) and a delicious plate of oysters
Burger time!
We idle way those quiet times escaping into the screen, forever scrolling our way to early RSI. Some are searching for inspiration, whilst others are the curators, who share breathtaking moments of wonder captured in that small square frame. Instagram has fast become the epicentre of fashion, design, culture and dreams.
Perth is just bursting with creative folk many of whom have become a little Insta-famous. Without these people amongst us, who else would be colouring not just our world, but our local communities and circles with their inspiration and talent.
For the past year I have been blessed to get to know, work with and become wonderful friends with Stacey Clark. Not only is Stacey a bundle of talent, but she is a pocket rocket full of laughter and all things bright. Stacey is one of those lucky few, living her dream of connecting creatives all over.
On a lovely Spring evening, Stacey Clark and Instagram maven Bec Tougas joined forces to curate Perth's first Instameet. A perfect night for the flourishing community to get together, have fun and swoon.
#perthinstameet from Ethan Ho on Vimeo.
Window styling and event curation ~ Stacey Clark Stylist
Event curation ~ Bec Tougas
Photography ~ Christine Lim
Space ~ Empire Homewares Mount Lawley
Video ~ Ethan Ho
Typography ~ Tash 'The Articulate'
Delicious gelato ~ ChiCho Gelato
Coffee times ~ Micrology Coffee Roasters
Cupcakes ~ Cakes by Laura Isabella
Cold pressed juices ~ Pure Glow Cleanse
Grown up drinks ~ Bar Pop
Here is Stacey Clark doing what makes her happy. She was invited by Empire Homewares to dress the window and boy did it look pretty!
Oh so pretty!
Culinary magic is bound to happen when the owners of two of Perth’s best restaurants join forces. St Michael 6003 is the love child of Red Cabbage's Scott & Hazel O'Sullivan and Petite Mort's Todd Stuart with talented chef Adam Sayles in the kitchen.
It was the end of an era when Jacksons closed its doors but now newbie St Michael 6003 has taken up residence on Beaufort Street.
St Michael 6003 uses a small plate approach where diners mix and match each dish creating their own degustation. This was our first experience and it was so good, we went back.
Bread and butter; Smoked pork hock, piccalilli and parmesan
Roast cauliflower, capers, jalapeño and manchego
Scallops, corn, spinach and shaved squid
Marron. mushroom dashi and turnips
Honey cured bacon, mustard, charred pickled onions and cumber
Lamb belly, mandarin and pickled yabbies
Wagyu rump cap, cherry, oats, seeds and nuts
Peanut butter, salted caramel and chocolate
Pumpkin, white chocolate, cheddar crumb, pear sorbet and blue
Whether its a quick meal before a show or a long lazy dinner with friends, Bivs is always 10/10.
I shocked myself by ordering the granola (although I did beg for a bite of the buttermilk chicken)
Maple pancake with buttermilk chicken and egg
Poached Autumn fruits with coconut yoghurt and gluten free granola
The battle of the bread takes place each time I peruse the menu at Mrs S. The lusty steak sandwich with sweet potato chips and fiery dose of Tabasco or a ham and cheese melt, oozing with béchamel.
Threecoins is the literal translation of the family name Trequattrini and a new little joint that has opened on Beaufort Street down Inglewood way. A family affair founded on a common dream to bring home cooking, Trequattrini style, to the table.
Nothing delights me more than being heartily welcomed into la familia, with loud smiling voices and big bold gestures, and this is the vibe that echoes at Threecoins. Complete with red and white checkered tables and the fine flavours of regional Italian cuisine, I am chuffed to call this little trattoria my local.
Antipasto plank ~ arancini with polenta mash, farmhouse duck liver parfait on toasted ciabatta, eggplan parmigiana with pie top, prosciutto and cheese
Homemade marination in EVO, lemon zest, garlic and fresh herbs
Homemade ravioli with pumpkin and Taleggio filling tossed with butter, parmesan and sage, finished with pure white truffle oil
A family special ~ slow cooked lamb leg ragu with fettucini finished with shaved pecorino
Slow cooked beef cheeks, red wine gravy, grilled polenta and Italian coleslaw
Chicken cacciatora ~ free range chicken drumstick braised in white wine sauce, olives, capsicum served w/ traditional Umbrian focaccia
Threecoins Pannacotta ~ the perfect way to end an evening
