iMasticate

This is a food blog.

[imasticate]

Side Door BBQ

6 December 2017

Side Door BBQ in Highgate dishes up American style BBQ. You’ll definitely need a group to smash through the enormous sharing plates. This place is great for a hangover brunch or lazy weekend catch-up.

Sit indoors in the diner-style booths or at regular old tables, or enjoy the sunshine if the weather is good and you’re not hungover. 

Caramel popcorn (complimentary)

Everyone loves a freebie! We polished off the table snacks as we browsed the menu (even though the popcorn was a bit stale).

Prom Queen punch (jug for $28)

The jugs are roughly the same price as individual serves, so everyone should just order what they feel like. Drinks are a bit expensive, but they’re served in mason jars for that authentic Highgate hipster touch.

Chicken wings ($10); pork belly lollipops ($16); jalapeno poppers ($17); brisket ($11); pork ribs St Louis cut ($25); cornbread mini loaf ($10); mac and cheese ($12) (clockwise from bottom left)

The menu theme is clear and delicious. My faves on this plate were the huge meaty ribs and the house-made pickles and crisps.

Mac and cheese ($12)

No messing around with this mac and cheese - spoon through the charred top like it’s a savoury creme brulee and tuck in before the kilogram of cheese coagulates!

Brisket ($11); jalapeno poppers ($17)

If you’re overwhelmed by choice and hunger, just choose from the pre-selected share platters (and always under-order unless you’re a sumo or you want BBQ leftovers in your fridge). Friends with stinky cheese? You’ll love the stuffed jalapeno poppers with blue cheese dip.

Lunch will cost approx $30 per person depending on your appetite and excluding drinks. I’d happily head back to Side Door BBQ with my mates for another casual American BBQ brunch, plus a doggy bag for my mid-arvo snack attack!

Contact Address: 497 Beaufort St Highgate WA 

[phone]

sidedoorbbq.com.au

[imasticate]

Silks at Crown Perth

4 November 2017

Silks at Crown Perth has no rickety trolleys, megaphones to summon the queue of diners, or dirty crockery bouncing around in plastic tubs. Does this really count as dim sum? 

I usually eat like 20 dumplings and end up in a food coma, but I ate sensible portions at Silks because of the higher prices and slightly snobby waiter. Here’s a snapshot of our luxury lunch...

Steamed lobster and caviar dumplings (3 for $28)

Silks is not bargain basement dim sum. We chomped into incredibly plump and expensive lobster and caviar dumplings. I’m pretty sure they squish half a lobster tail inside. This one is best with chilli sauce to cut through the strong seafoody taste.

Roasted barbeque pork with jarrah honey ($38)

The char siew rivals the best BBQ meats in Hong Kong. Succulent, fragrant, lip smacking, and with charred bits on the ends. Serious drool factor right here. This dish is from the main menu - not a traditional dim sum dish, but that’s not going to stop me.

Steamed Shanghai style crab meat dumplings (3 for $22)

I am loyal to Authentic Bites Dumpling House when it comes to xiaolongbao. However, I’ll admit that I loved the soup dumplings at Silks, which were bursting with crab meat.

Wagyu rice pasta roll ($18)

Rice flour rolls are one of my staple dim sum faves. I love slurping the slippery mouthfuls with sweet soy sauce. The texture was great, but the lettuce was unwelcome.

Steamed pork and prawn siu mai (3 for $12)

Siu mai dumplings are not particularly exotic for dim sum regulars, but these were fresh and meaty. Remember to dunk them in chilli!

Pumpkin balls (3 for $8)

Boom! The pumpkin balls surprised us with a golden crunch, perfectly chewy outer layer, and smooth molten centre. We loved the salted duck egg custard, which moved us towards the sweeter end of savoury.

Mango creme, lime streusel, coconut and lime sorbet, compressed mango ($16)

My mum never let me order mango pudding at dim sum when I was a child, so I’m compensating in my adult years. A modern twist on this Asian dessert classic - delish!

Ginger pudding, pineapple jelly, ginger cream, streusel, exotic fruit jelly, lime sorbet ($16)

The ginger pudding was more popular with my handsome dining companion. He happily dug out big spoonfuls of ginger cream, pineapple, crumble, and sour lime sorbet.

Our lunch was about $50pp (without Chinese tea coz of the premium price tag) before the Entertainment Card 25% discount. I’m not sure that dim sum at Silks is worth 2 or 3x the normal grubby spots in Northbridge, but it’s definitely classy AF if that’s what you’re looking for. 

Contact Address: Crown Metropol, Crown Perth Great Eastern Highway Burswood WA

1800 556 688

https://www.crownperth.com.au/restaurants/premium/silks/info-booking

[imasticate]

Wills Domain

14 September 2017

A sunny spring afternoon, fancy lunch at Wills Domain, and a generous family member covering the bill. My life is awesome!

Potato scallops and scallop salt

Most people visit wineries for the wine, but I was in good company next to a bloke stubbornly ordering his fave Eagle Bay brew. The chardonnay was inoffensive (trust me, that’s as good as it gets for me) and I was focused on the food. Our 'feast menu’ started with house-baked bread and moved onto potatoes - double carbs, yessss!

Kingfish tartare, white miso emulsion, sesame, furikake

The kingfish was singing with Asian-inspired flavours. It was somehow meaty and decadent, but still light and fresh.

Confit chicken, hay baked carrots, sunflower emulsion

A gorgeous field of flowers and crispy chicken, plus I loved the honey-soaked baby carrots.

Roasted cauliflower, honey sumac yoghurt, pine nuts

Weirdly, the cauliflower was the most exciting plate in the already stunning first course. I have no idea how they cook an entire vegetable so perfectly. So delicious with the miso drizzle on top, pickled red cabbage, and pool of creamy dressing hidden underneath.

Harvey beef short rib, smoked and pickled onions, charred cucumber

My handsome dining companion has returned from 6 months in Japan with a longing for meat pies and huge chunks of beef. This meaty mammoth did the trick, paired with a wickedly smoky puree and crunchy charred cucumbers.

Cumin lamb belly, pickled shiitake, radish

Crispy, spicy, and well-cooked, but the dish was a little dry overall with raw radishes and cucumber underneath. The juicy triangles of shiitake mushroom saved the day and inspired my home-cooked stir-fry this week.

Birthday cake

Not your average mud cake - everyone had at least 2 serves. There were ooohs and aaahs as we discovered layers of chocolate parfait, fruity ice, and salted caramel semifreddo. Bonus points for the glamorous dark chocolate glaze and gold leaf touches. 

The feast menu costs $65pp excluding drinks and the birthday cake. I’ll definitely return to Wills Domain for a fancy winery lunch next time in the Yallingup area.

Contact Address: Corner Abbey Farm & Brash Roads Yallingup WA 6282

[phone]

https://willsdomain.com.au/

[imasticate]

Grab a Yabby

17 February 2017

Beaufort Street is buzzing with new food spots. Grab a Yabby has joined the mix with an intriguing concept - bibs on, gloves on, and seafood all over the place (and in your face)! Thanks to Martin from Morsels and the Grab a Yabby team for my invitation to the free food blogger feast :D

The name of the game is messy hands-on shellfish, which is apparently American in origin. You’ll find both Western and Asian flavours on the menu, so there should be something for everyone. Be prepared to fork out $$$ for the fresh seafood, but try sharing both seafood and meat dishes with friends if you’re sticking to a budget.

Sweet potato fries ($6)

My first taste of kumara chips was in New Zealand, where they were frequently listed on menus next to the regular potato chips. It’s hard to find good sweet potato chips in Perth like the ones at Grab a Yabby. I loved the “magic dust” seasoning and the thick aioli and relish!

Soft shell crab sliders (2 for $12)

The mini burgers were okay, but they were not the main event. Focus on the meat and seafood, otherwise you’ll fill yourself up on carbs before you start...

Mega pork rack ($55)

You can definitely imagine this rack as half of a pig - the pork ribs were enormous! The tender meat was coated with a glossy sweet and spicy marinade. Both the pork and beef ribs normally come with chips and salad on the side.

BBQ dino beef ribs ($55)

Whoa. The beef ribs were sensational and the star dish in my eyes. I loved the melt-in-your-mouth hunks of meat with spicy, rich flavours. While you only get two ribs, there is a serious amount of meat on these bones. This dish alone is worth returning for, despite the popularity of the seafood options at Grab a Yabby!

Seafood mix

Yessss seafood feast!!

Step 1 - Choose your seafood

The fresh seafood is mostly based on market price, so it’s not cheap. As an example, a fisherman’s basket ($59) would come with mussels, clams, prawns, one bay bug, plus corn and potatoes.

Step 2 - Choose your sauce

The garlic butter sauce was my fave because it was deeply savoury and indulgent, but without overwhelming the delicate seafood.

There’s also a signature peppery Cajun sauce, XO sauce with Asian flavours like lemon grass and dried prawns, and a Moroccan-inspired sauce.

Step 3 - Choose your chilli heat

You can add heat to your food if you like. Be warned - the “insane” chilli sauce is PROPERLY hot. 

King crab legs (~$75) 

Yikes. Alaskan crab legs are not cheap, with a market price of around $75 for this 40cm cluster of legs. The dish usually comes with corn and potatoes for bulk, but it’s also worth ordering rice ($3.50) to scoop up with the sauce.

You’ll get a bib, gloves and hammer to crack open the crustaceans. Messy, delicious fun for kids and adults alike! It might not be a first date restaurant because you’ll get food all over your face, but hey there’s no judgement from me.

On top of the crab legs, we sampled the Australian yabby, moreton bay bugs, Australian prawns, and fresh clams. Who could possibly pick one favourite?!

Fresh coconut jelly ($12)

We finished with some refreshing coconut jelly, which is set inside a fresh young coconut. I enjoyed the coconut flesh more than the jelly, but it’s a solid chilled dessert for hot summer evenings.

Grab a Yabby offers fresh seafood feasts, but there’s a hefty price tag if you plan to fill your belly with shellfish. Dinner would probably cost about $30-$60 per person, depending on what you order. This is a perfect place for messy kids (and grown-ups) who like to dig in, pass food around the table, and eat with their hands. Sharing is caring! 

Summary Likes: hands-on dining, very fresh seafood, sensational beef ribs

Dislikes: the shellfish is expensive (but that’s true of all market priced seafood)

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: messy delicious fun with seafood feasts, a unique dining experience

Contact Address: Beau Lane Shop 6, 609 Beaufort St Mount Lawley WA

0434 272 677

www.grabayabby.com

[imasticate]

L’Antica

31 January 2017 

 A group of foodie friends assembled at L’Antica in South Freo for a freebie dinner! Thanks again to Morsels for organising and to Ashlley and his team for their generous hospitality. It was a long night, but the wait was worthwhile...

The menu is short and to the point: 4 pizzas and handful of sides. Be warned, the food is not well-suited to gluten or lactose intolerant diners. For anyone else, these are some of the best woodfired pizzas in good old P-town.

Sun dried black olives and herbs ($7)

A moreish snack to ease your growling stomach, these black olives were bitter and salty. These olives shouldn’t be confused with kalamata olives, which you might associate with a lighter and more pickly flavour.

Smoked speck ($10)

L’Antica is trying out a couple of house-cured meats. The smoked speck tastes a lot like thin slices of bacon and pairs well with the side salad of buffalo mozzarella and caprese salad ($13). Who doesn’t enjoy stuffing salty meat in their mouth *snigger*?

Sicilian orange salad ($13)

The traditional recipes are not for everyone. I wasn’t a fan of the lean, rustic Sicilian sausage ($22), the cicoria salad made of dandelion leaves ($10), or the strange orange, fennel and raw onion salad ($13). However, the wood fired butternut pumpkin ($10) had homely, comforting and smoky flavours.

Bianca ($16) with smoked leg ham ($9)

The pizzas then showcased the full glory of the wood fire oven at L’Antica. We ooooh’d and mmmm’d over the fluffy yet crispy pizza base. I’m one of those people who never eats the crust, but I happily munched on the pizza base until I was ready to pop!

Margherita ($18)

In true Neapolitan style, all of the pizza toppings are minimal. There are only a handful of ingredients for each pizza. I loved the fresh cherry tomato sauce, which made for an outstanding margherita pizza.

Schiacciata ($26)

For something a bit unusual, try the schiacciata pizza which is baked until the dough puffs up like a balloon. It is then sliced open and stuffed with fresh rocket, cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto. A strange calzone-like pizza sandwich!

Pandolce genovese ($16); cantuccini di prato ($10)

We indulged in a few homely sweet treats, including the pandolce genovese (sweet bread) which you can buy to take home. It goes down a treat with your morning coffee, as do the super crunchy cantuccini di prato (almond biscotti). Loved the free gifts!

The simple flavours, limited menu or longer wait times may not be for everyone. This isn’t your local Dominoes. However, if you are patient and keen to taste authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, you’ll find dinner at L’Antica for about $25 per person. There are also a number of fancy Italian wines on offer if that’s your thing. Relax under the warm glow of the copper lights, sip a red, and enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread.

Summary Likes: fantastic wood fired Neapolitan pizzas with simple, authentic flavours

Dislikes: limited menu (don’t bring your gluten or lactose intolerant friends), longer wait times (so order a bowl of olives to share in the meantime)

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: great spot for simple, tasty and authentic wood fired pizzas (but not a fast food restaurant)

Contact Address: 390 South Terrace South Fremantle WA

0499 433 592

www.facebook.com/LAntica-South-Fremantle-1567910810171578/

[imasticate]

Rockefeller

26 January 2017 

Rockefeller is a new gem in Highgate offering authentic Jewish food and New York deli style dishes. The restaurant isn’t actually kosher, but it’s legit enough that cheeseburgers and most pork products are off-limits. So what’s left on the menu, do I hear you ask? Here’s a sneak peak...

Platters of Jewish pâté, egg salad and rye bread

The launch of the dinner menu at Rockefeller showcased a few traditional Jewish snacky things, like egg salad ($10) and rustic pâté ($12) with chunkier-than-usual chopped liver. Thanks to Martin from Morsels for the invite and to the owners, Michael and Kay, for their generous hospitality!

Hunk of pastrami

While the egg and chicken liver dips were a little outside my comfort zone, I definitely found a primal happiness in the house-smoked hunks of meat. The dinner menu caters for carnivores, including a whole lamb shoulder ($72) and meat and fish platters ($70) which should feed 2 or 3 people.

Pastrami on rye ($22 for regular size)

A couple of days later, I returned to Rockefeller for a weekend brunch from the daytime menu. The pastrami on rye is a mountain of 200g of sliced beef wedged between two slabs of bread, plus a liberal amount of spicy mustard. I conceded defeat to my whopping great sandwich and accepted a doggy-bag of leftovers (woooo afternoon snack)! If you are superhuman, go for the NY size upgrade ($36) which comes with extra meat. There are other New York deli “top hits” like the reuben sandwich and smoked salmon bagel, which also come with the awesome house-made crisps and a dill pickle. 

Latkes ($22)

You’ll find smoked ricotta blinze (Jewish crepes) and bagels with shmears among other traditional Jewish dishes on the menu. My friend ordered the latkes, which are properly filling even though the menu calls the dish a ‘light’ meal. The potato pancakes are like fancy hashbrowns, similar to the Swiss rosti. A carb-heavy meal, but easy to eat with the smoked trout rillette, sour cream (? I think), and salmon caviar.

Mum’s baked cheesecake ($9)

I am never one to listen to reason when it comes to dessert. Despite my sandwich doggy-bag, I was determined to try the baked cheesecake. Homely, traditional, heavy cheesecake with a moreish biscuit base. I would’ve liked more cherries, but it was still delish. This is definitely a two-person serving. 

Warm booze brownie with vanilla ice cream ($10)

The brownie is also a job for two hungry mouths (heh). A slab of rich, dark, dense chocolate brownie with a gentle boozy warmth. Good value desserts!

Breakfast, brunch or lunch at Rockefeller will cost about $25 per person including a coffee. There are also enough hefty meat options, sides and desserts to visit for dinner. Portion sizes are generous, the pastrami is delish, service is attentive, and the heritage building is gorgeous. In the everlasting words of good old Arnie, I’ll be back.

Summary 

Likes: big servings, house-smoked meat, crisps and pickle on the side

Dislikes: not a huge fan of Jewish pâté - I’m not brave with chicken livers

Value for money: decent given the serving sizes

Overall: good value, authentic Jewish and New York deli style food 

Contact

Address: 448 Beaufort Street Highgate WA

[phone]

www.rockefellerdeli.com.au

[imasticate]

Woodfire Italian Restaurant (revisit)

3 January 2017

The media buzz around Woodfire Italian Restaurant has really put this humble Italian restaurant on the map. Despite the long drive to Ellenbrook, I was delighted to join a group of foodie friends for a lunch organised by Lorenzo (the lovely owner) and Morsels (a fellow foodie). The inside of the restaurant was full of happy diners, so we were seated in the new al fresco area!

My expectations were high and I was mentally prepared for an enormous feast after the food coma from a previous lunch at Woodfire. Fair to say, we were not disappointed...

Fritto misto ($19.90)

Bang for your buck! This huge entrée board includes light puffs of panfritto (fried pizza dough), crispy fried gnocchi, crumbed grilled eggplant, rich arancini (stuffed rice balls), polenta chips, and a spicy arrabiatta sauce for dipping. This is not an order for the carb or calorie conscious individual... so I enjoyed every bit of it!

Cozze al forno ($14.90)

A generous serving of chilli mussels sat in a punchy tomato sauce, perfect for dunking in the home made foccacia. The mussels were fresh and delish, plus the dish has a very reasonable price tag.

Ravioli primavera ($23.90)

Mmmm slippery, tender parcels of spinach, ricotta, and pecorina were liberally coated in a lemon butter sauce. A scattering of peas, broadbeans, asparagus and fresh mint almost makes you feel healthy as you tuck into this cracking vego ravioli.

Linguine al salmone ($23.90)

This is a safe dish for people who would otherwise order carbonara every time they visit an Italian restaurant. The Tassie smoked salmon, white wine, and mascarpone (Italian cream cheese) guarantee that this house-made pasta is packed with comforting flavours.

Risotto ai funghi ($22.90)

Risotto is new to the menu and deserves an honourable mention. It wasn’t as dark and rich as the risotto I sampled during my last visit to Woodfire, but it’s got the same fabulous combo of porcini, wild mushrooms, parmesan, and light zesty orange. What a hefty serve for under $23!!

Coscia d’agnello ($33.90)

Yes yes yes. This is how you cook lamb and make it worth the money. A perfectly grilled hunk of meat, asparagus, spring onions, and Italian mint sauce.

Pescatrice al prosciutto ($31.90)

Monkfish is weird but delish. I think it deserve the title of “ocean steak” because the flesh is dense and moist. A more simple, home-cooked plate which starred black lentils, prosciutto, mushrooms, onion, and salsa verde.

Bavetta alla griglia ($35.90) 

Woodfire earns its stripes with the 400g Black Angus hanger steak, grilled on the fire pit. I loved the caramelised, baby pickled onions. If you want to knock back some carbs, the house-made rosemary chips are a solid accompaniment to mop up the red wine jus and meat juice.

Filetto di barramundi ($29.90)

Baked in the woodfire oven, the barramundi was happy to fall apart under my fork. While there’s nothing out of the ordinary in this dish, everything is done well. The roasted cherry tomatoes popped with sweetness, the black olives added bursts of saltiness (careful of the pips) and the serving was generous.

Torta al cioccolato ($13.90); ricotta cake; tutti frutti tiramisu

We move to the exciting final chapter - prepare your dessert stomachs!! There is something for everyone who loves Italian-inspired treats. The chocolate and salted caramel tart wooed me, but you can save yourself the hard choices by ordering the dessert plank to share (4 desserts for $39.90). The summery tiramisu has a gorgeous mascarpone cream mixed with tangy summer berries, nutty caramelised almonds, and a naughty lick of Chambord (black raspberry) liqueur.

Assorted bomboloni ($4.50 each)

The doughnuts from Woodfire have become Instagram famous. I am delighted that they buck the trend of doughnuts that cost more than an average lunch. The kids would love cookies and cream or Nutella options (seriously, there was like half a jar of Nutella inside). The sweet and tangy lemon curd is a solid choice, but the salted caramel with pistachio brittle was my fave.

Woodfire is consistently dishing up the goods for under $30pp, plus there’s a popular kids menu. There are also $15 lunch specials where you can choose from a long list of pastas, pizzas, paninis and salads. This is a fantastic spot for Ellenbrook locals and well worth a detour for ‘tourists’ like me who are prepared to plan a road trip around food...

Summary Likes: delish house-made pastas, naughty desserts, bang for your buck

Dislikes: one and half hour round trips to Ellenbrook

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: a casual family restaurant in Ellenbrook with awesome Italian food

Contact Address: 1/12 Commercial Rd Ellenbrook WA

[phone]

www.woodfirerestaurant.com.au

[imasticate]

Mayfair Lane

5 December 2016

The Mayfair Lane launch party was a swanky affair but, as with most fancy events, I found myself drinking bubbles and craving a hearty feed. I returned for a work lunch a couple of weeks later to check out the new menu!

If you ever visited the predecessor, Brown Fox, you should recognise the interior of the bar and restaurant. The quaint replicas of the “Mona Lisa” and other famous paintings have disappeared, but there are new chandeliers and dining booths!

Aged tenderloin (~$40)

Any decent pub worthy of its name should have steak on the lunch menu. Mayfair Lane gives you a choice of aged cuts of beef, which depends on what is available on the blackboard. The chunk of meat is accompanied by a creamy mushroom sauce, chips or duck fat potatoes, plus your choice of béarnaise or red wine jus. It’s an indulgent plate, but there’s a hefty price tag to match. Obviously, go with the chef’s recommendation - the tenderloin is cooked to a gorgeous medium rare.

Poached duck egg, chorizo, bacon and fresh pea salad ($18)

I wanted to love this dish, but it missed the mark. A messy, undercooked duck egg made the salad leaves all slimy. The promise of spicy sausage didn’t excite me like it normally would (*snigger*) because the salty chorizo and bacon overwhelmed the scattering of fresh peas. An expensive side dish that doesn’t live up to its potential (also, let’s be real, this hardly qualifies as a salad haha).

Mayfair Lane has lifted its food game since its “transformation” from Brown Fox (read: new light fittings). The steak is too expensive, but the other menu prices match the ‘upmarket’ pub meals on offer. The pub is so close to my work and home that I’m bound to return soon - I’ll report back when the kitchen works out its teething problems.

Summary Likes: perfectly cooked steak

Dislikes: undercooked duck egg, prices too steep for a local pub

Value for money: not great (which I guess is normal for Perth pubs?)

Overall: the revamped Brown Fox offers upmarket pub fare, but needs to work out a few teething problems to reach its potential (and justify the higher prices)

Contact Address: 72 Outram Street West Perth WA

[phone]

mayfairlane.com.au

[imasticate]

The Dutch Trading Co

1 December 2016

The Netherlands is a beautiful country with more bicycles than cars, inner city canals and stunning tulip fields. It’s not a country famous for food, nor should it be in my opinion. I can safely say that bitterballen were not a foodie highlight from my 5 months living in Utrecht, but wow do the Dutch love beer!

A beer lover’s paradise, The Dutch Trading Co offers a moving feast of 300+ beers from Australia and overseas. The food was surprisingly tasty (and un-Dutch) as I discovered during a recent freebie food blogger lunch! Thanks heaps to Raymond and Kat from @perth_gram for organising :)

Crispy chickpeas ($10); beer tasting paddle

You might expect chickpeas to instantly suck all the moisture from your mouth, but these delightful gems were soft and bursting with a delicious, salty spice blend. So moreish! 

The beer paddles should help you make your way through the list of hundreds of beers. Kriek, a famous style of Belgian beer, has a cheerful red hue and tastes both sweet and sour from the cherries.

In-house pickles ($4.50)

Soooo most of this bowl of pickles ended up in my stomach. I am a sucker for all things sour. These house-made cucumbers are a perfect way to tease your tastebuds.

Crispy kale salad with southern fried chicken ($18)

The serious food on the menu goes beyond standard pub fare. My life and diet philosophy is firmly anti-kale, so I was reluctant to admit how much I enjoyed this dish. A crowd-pleasing combo of fried chicken, shaved Jarlsberg cheese, crunchy radish, and a maple butter dressing.

Chermoula and mandarin lamb ribs ($19)

The lamb ribs were smashing. I found the tahini buttermilk and pickled compressed watermelon paired unexpectedly well with the heavily spiced ribs. My main issue would be that the serving is too small for the price (although our meal was a freebie).

Smoked Mexican spice street corn cob ($8)

What an attractive corn cob! It was more pretty than practical, with one of the 3 pieces still attached to the decorative husk. We all loved the berry and Habanero salsa with a squeeze of lime on top! A fun twist on the recent street corn trend.

House honey and jasmine smoked Tassie salmon ($22)

A hot mess of tender Tasmanian salmon, shaved zucchini and fennel salad, dill, labne, and salsa verde. Whoa, a busy plate! I did manage to get a forkful with a taste of everything, but this didn’t sing with a harmony of flavours - it was like trying to hear every flavour talking at once...

Deep fried watermelon and coconut pie ($10)

Sadly, the desserts were not to my liking (and I don’t say that often). A crispy watermelon and coconut strudel was sadly swamped by fluffy rosewater double cream and a sugary syrup. I think the pastry was also a little too sweet, but could be quite tasty on its own.

Smoked banana split ($10)

Naaah the textures were off in this dessert. It felt like eating baby food to scoop out smoked banana sludge served in its unappealing slimy dark brown peel. The rich banana flavours could pair well with the miso caramel, coconut cream, and matcha and kaffir powder, but not when the whole dish is comprised of slop and sauce. 

Desserts aside, The Dutch Trading Co has some cracking bar snacks and a selection of tasty, well-priced pub meals. This is a great spot for beer-lovers and one where you can fill your belly with food for under $25. The locals are lucky to enjoy this spot, but you might find that the ever-changing list of 300+ beers is worth a drive in itself.

Summary 

Likes: smashing bar snacks, Southern fried chicken with kale (counts as salad)

Dislikes: the smoked banana split didn’t impress and the watermelon and coconut pie is too sweet

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: huge list of beers, bar snacks on point, tasty meals for under $25

Contact Address: 243 Albany Highway Victoria Park WA

(08) 6150 8329

thedutchtradingco.com.au

[imasticate]

Gami Chicken and Beer

5 November 2016 

Who doesn’t love Korean fried chicken (the ‘new’ KFC)? Gami Chicken and Beer is tucked in Shafto Lane in the city. The speciality is no secret - you’ll find crunchy fried chicken and jugs of beer. I scored a freebie dinner with a lovely group of foodies (thanks Morsels and Inex for organising)!!

This place is perfect for a Friday night out and it’s open until 11pm, plus you’ll find it now on UberEats. There are long tables inside and al fresco so you can bring all of your mates.

Lick Pier ginger beer ($9)

A middy will set you back $5 or you can share a jug of beer for $17.50. There are also some Korean wines, weird Asian soft drinks and cider on the menu.

Corn cheese ($9.80)

A strange dish to start off, but I’ve learnt from Pepper Lunch that Koreans are onto something with the corn + cheese combo. If you want a heavy cheese dish to accompany your fried chicken, there’s no judgement from me!

Gami boneless chicken (750g for $34)

The star of the show is obviously the chicken, but you’ll have to discover your own favourite among the four flavours. I personally loved the strong and punchy “Spicy” flavour. A solid pick is “Original Fried” (pictured above) coupled with the honey mustard sauce. You should go with “Soy Garlic” or “Sweet Chilli” if you prefer sweet to savoury. All of the chicken was juicy, meaty and served piping hot. Yum!!

Kimchi pancake ($14)

I found there wasn’t enough oil or kimchi in the pancake. The kimchi pancake I recently tasted at Palsaik Namoo is top-notch, stuffed full of the pickly fermented cabbage with the batter barely holding it together. 

Potato heaven ($14.50)

The wedges and potato dish was too creamy and gloopy for my liking - you might be better off sticking to what they do best (chicken, duh). However, an honourable mention goes to the Gami chips ($9.80) which had a moreish salty and sweet flavour, but were a bit soggy from the sous-vide cooking.

Dinner at Gami would usually cost about $20pp excluding drinks, but it could also be cheaper with a large group sharing many plates of fried chicken. Now you know a cracking fried chicken joint to satisfy those Friday night / weekend / Tuesday cravings... 

Summary 

Likes: Gami boneless fried chicken (especially the “Spicy” flavour)

Dislikes: -

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: juicy fried chicken and cheap beers, open late night in Northbridge (or order it at home through UberEats)

Contact Address: Shop 3B, Shafto lane Perth WA 

[phone]

www.gamichicken.com.au

[imasticate]

1907 Restaurant

26 September 2016 

The swish 1907 Restaurant is tucked away in an alleyway off Queen Street. A surprisingly plush and old-school dining room greeted our group of three. It was strange to have such a serious lunch date on a Friday arvo, but one friend was celebrating his birthday, so we wanted to splash out.

We took advantage of the weekday lunch special with a glass of house wine ($28). The regular menu prices and options are not budget-friendly, particularly on Friday or Saturday night when only the degustation menu is available. The lunch special was running during August and September, but check before you visit because the special might have ended now.

Beef carpaccio

Our first round of beef was the carpaccio - tender raw beef sliced razor thin, dolloped with a mustard dressing, and sprinkled with crumbs, salt, and micro herbs (oh so trendy). In the middle sat a jelly-like poached egg, which yielded with a gentle touch of my knife. The gooey yolk flooded the plate, so it was hard to taste the beef underneath. I found the dish a little too salty (unusual for me because I love salt).

Rump steak

What do you think of when you hear “rump steak”? I imagined wrapping my mouth around a thick hunk of meat (*snigger*). This dish left me indignant! Why was the serving so blood tiny? The piece of steak was carefully cooked to medium rare, but the cocoa jus was nothing to rave about. Also there was hardly any mashed potato to mop up the plate. I enjoyed the caramelised and pickly beetroot wedges, but I chomped through my main in roughly 4 bites.

Chocolate fondant, peanut butter, strawberry gelato ($16)

We were determined to order dessert to fill our tummies. Peanut butter and chocolate are a famous pair. I don’t usually love the combo, but I found the oozy choc fondant was rich and not too peanuty. The strawberry gelato was refreshing and tasty on its own, but I’m not sure it went well with the fondant.

Tonka bean crème brûlée, hazelnut and tarragon powder, mandarin sorbet ($16)

The tonka bean crème brûlée was delish, but we were confused by the layer of crumble. The crumbs made it difficult to “thwock” the dessert with the back of my spoon, so I missed the signature crack of browned sugar on top. The creamy base and nutty crumble were a great combo, which paired surprisingly well with the tangy mandarin sorbet. Yum!

Service was attentive, but it seems my request for a birthday message on my friend’s plate was not communicated to the staff working that day. I found it mildly infuriating that I wasn’t permitted to use my Entertainment Card (apparently the lunch set menu is like clothing in a clearance bin - no further reductions), not even for the full-priced desserts (apparently there is no facility for split billing, which I find very silly). 

Those gripes aside, the lunch special had tiny portions and hit-and-miss flavours, which have deterred me from investing the big bucks $$$ in the degustation menu. I’ll remember 1907 Restaurant next time I am looking for a subdued client lunch venue or if I want to get lucky on a third date...

Summary Likes: tonka bean crème brûlée

Dislikes: tiny portions, Entertainment Card not allowed for lunch special

Value for money: not great

Overall: fancy restaurant with lovely decor and small portions, food was tasty but not good enough to justify the prices

Contact Address: 26 Queen Street Perth WA

0427 260 587

www.1907.com.au

[imasticate]

Hylin

26 September 2016

A sunny morning meant I enjoyed brunch outdoors with my dad at Hylin, a trendy and super popular café in West Leederville. You’ll need to wait for a table on weekends, unless you visit between meal times. We were lucky to even score a table at 2pm!

The menu has some fun brunch and lunch options, plus a bunch of allergy and diet-friendly options. I choose to ignore all nutritional information. What’s the point of eating out if I can’t pick the most delicious thing on the menu?!

Chilli cheese scram with jamon and truffled mushrooms ($18.50)

Yessss! My dish was the brunch winner. Slippery scrambled eggs with fragrant (and not too spicy) red chilli, plus a mountain of jamon serrano. I love salty cured meats and jamon serrano is one of my favourites. To top things off, crispy truffled mushrooms were scattered about for a rich, earthy tone. I devoured everything except one crust of the lovely ciabatta bread because I was so full.

The green veg bowl ($17)

My dad is making ‘healthy’ choices. This dish seemed expensive but made a good post-gym meal for my dad. It was definitely well-prepared with a runny poached egg, nice chunk of golden halloumi, crunchy blanched broccolini and various other greens. I still don’t like quinoa... Super food? Nah, super boring.

Line up inside to put your name on the waitlist, then order and pay at the counter once you’ve been seated. Brunch costs a little over $20pp including coffees (which my dad rates quite highly). Hylin had me hooked with a perfect eggs + ham brunch, so I’ll be back again soon.

Summary Likes: chilli cheese scram with jamon and truffled mushrooms - get on it!

Dislikes: waiting in line for brunch (so I recommend going late)

Value for money: average

Overall: great little café for hearty and tasty brunch or lunch with your mates

Contact Address: 178 Railway Parade West Leederville WA

0401 815 804

www.hylin.com.au

[imasticate]

Event: Food blogger dinner at North Lake BBQ

4 September 2016

Round table dinners with family and friends at Chinese restaurants were my most common “eating out” experience as a kid. We would pass around bowls of steaming white rice and feast on dish after dish of (mostly) Cantonese cooking. One of the best parts was that my mum never wanted to order vegies (because she can cook vegies herself at home), so we would chow down on pork, ducks, prawns, and chicken. The lovely ladies at Perth Food Enthusiasts invited me to a blogger dinner at North Lake BBQ which brought all those memories back to life!

The food at Chinese restaurants is designed for sharing. You should order steamed rice ($1.80pp) and heaps of dishes to spin around on the lazy Susan, plus your favourite Chinese tea.

Spring rolls ($5 for 4 pieces); fried wontons ($5.80 for 5 pieces); prawn toast ($6.80 for 4 pieces)

Oooh my brother and I would always beg mum for prawn toast (and sweet corn chicken soup) when we were younger. If we were lucky and mum said she was “feeling rich”, she would let us share an entrée of the golden, crispy fried bread. Aside from the delightful prawn toast, I happily dunked juicy wontons and crunchy spring rolls into the sweet and sour sauce. Yes, this is very Westernised food, but the heart wants what the heart wants!

Steam chicken ($20.80)

Steamed chicken is typically served chilled or at room temperature at the start of the meal. The fragrant soy sauce / sesame oil mix with fresh spring onions got my mouth all excited! Also the chicken was lovely and tender.

Golden prawns ($28.80)

Salted egg crusted seafood is a must-order for me at Chinese restaurants (eg my fave golden soft shell crab at City Garden). The prawns were big and bursty, generously coated in salty goodness. You can eat the shell or just nibble the batter coating, whatever takes your fancy. Prawns with shells are a bit fussy to eat, but I enjoy getting hands-on with my food...

Roast duck ($35)

You can pre-order the house-made roast duck a day before your meal at North Lake BBQ. I’m impressed a suburban restaurant would DIY duck when so many others simply buy theirs from the same supplier. It may not match the speciality restaurants like Good Fortune Roast Duck House, but the skin was crispy and the duck was meaty, so it’s still a worthwhile order.

Sizzling Japanese tofu with mince chicken and salted fish ($18.80)

Another staple order for boozy Chinese dinners in Northbridge - this sizzling Japanese tofu dish was on par with the likes of Uncle Billy’s in China Town. A generous serving of smooth egg tofu, chicken mince (though I do prefer pork) and gooey egg bubbling on the hotplate.

BBQ spare ribs ($20.80)

The BBQ spare ribs featured above were flavoursome, but the true star of the “beef-off” was the Peking beef ($18.80). My childhood fav was Peking-style pork, a Westernised Chinese dish of pork bits, battered and smothered in a sweet Chinese BBQ sauce. I think the crispy Peking beef at North Lake BBQ is a serious contender - yum!

Two way fish ($68)

A unique dish was the ‘Two way fish’. On one side was salt and pepper battered fish, while the other side involved fish in a light, fragrant sauce. Crispy on one hand, tender on the other. The two sides were separated by a creepy fish head and spine - you can snap off the deep fried bones as a snack! I’m not sure the novelty would be worth $68, but this is defs a more showy dish so it would be perfect to impress your overseas relatives / visitors.

Sizzling cheesy chicken ($21.80)

A new item on the menu is sizzling cheesy chicken. It wasn’t my fave dish of the night, but the chicken was tender and I always like crunchy onion bits. 

Golden eggplant ($19.80)

The golden eggplant is the squishier, less delicious cousin of the golden prawns. If you are looking for vego options, this would be a decent choice, but otherwise I suggest that you splash out on the prawns.

Combination mushrooms with spinach ($20.80)

While I generally dive into the meat dishes, the combination mushrooms had great taste and textures. I loved the slippery strands of enoki, spongy tofu skin, crunchy black fungus and juicy champignons. You will also find a pile of spinach underneath if eating greens will give you the illusion that the meal is healthy. I’m happy to indulge in all of the fried, battered, sweet and salty food #yolo.

Chinese pancake ($6.80 per serve)

While Asian desserts are pretty average, I do have a fondness for red bean. The pancakes were crispy and packed with red bean paste, but a little oily for the end of our Chinese feast. It’s a decent serving size for the price though.

So we rolled out of North Lake BBQ a couple of kilos fatter, happy and fully satisfied. The food is much more than you might expect from a suburban Chinese restaurant. You can probably look past the six different types of wallpaper, plastic tablecloth covers, and spindly-looking chairs. If you’re near the area, bring a group of friends or family for a round table feast!

Summary Likes: combination mushrooms, Peking crispy beef, prawn toast (always <3)

Dislikes: a little far from my house (but great if you’re in neighbouring suburbs)

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: suburban Chinese restaurant with some great Cantonese food (and also other more Westernised Chinese options)

Contact Address: 406 North Lake Rd Bibra Lake WA

[phone]

www.facebook.com/North-Lake-BBQ-1509157126040651/

[imasticate]

Event: Riverside Brew House soft launch

14 August 2016

What better way to spend a Sunday than sipping on cider, munching on charcuterie and taking happy snaps of food? I rode the bus past the Old Brewery on Mounts Bay Road literally hundreds of times during my uni days, so it was awesome to step inside for the first time for the soft launch of Riverside Brew House!

You can choose the formal dining area of Old Brewery (for birthday steaks etc) or chill out in the casual bar area. I enjoyed a freebie showcase of the bar menu at Riverside Brew House (yay thanks to Karlee and Anna for organising!!), which means you’ll have to judge the serving sizes and value for yourself.

Pickled octopus ($15.50); terrine ($12.50); parfait ($12.50)

I immediately locked my eyes onto the house-made pickled octopus...it was love at first sight. The octopus was wonderfully aromatic and oh-so-tender. We also adored the smooth, creamy glass of chicken and duck parfait smeared onto crusty bread. 

Cantimpalo ($15 for 25g); wagyu bresaola ($15 per 25g); jamon serrano ($15 per 25g)

This delicious board of shaved meats made me giggle with joy. I learned while visiting Spain that my favourite cured meat is cow ham (’bresaola’), but jamon serrano is obviously still in my top 5. You should stuff your face with the cantimpalo if spicy sausage is your thing (heh).

We had a quick tour of the microbrewery which produces the on-tap beers at Riverside Brew House. If you want a group or corporate event, they hold private sessions where you drink beer and eat steak... sounds like a winning combo to me!

BBQ pork ribs

The pork ribs had a high bone-to-meat ratio, but the sauce was punchy and packed with flavour. A lot better than the mass produced ribs at Spur Steak & Grill but not quite hitting the high of rib bosses like Tony Roma’s.

Jamon and manchego croquette ($12.50 for 4 pieces)

The croquettes are serious business - cheesy, salty and molten inside. I would struggle to eat more than one, but golden fried foods are made for beer and sharing with friends.

Tasting paddle ($23)

My handsome companion has a wealth of experience drinking beer (some would take that as a compliment), so I jotted down his thoughts on the tasting paddle. Apparently, the microbrewery has a solid wheat beer and they did a good job with both the Australian and American pale ale. While the Riverside lager was far too sweet, the Narrows lager was precisely what an Australian lager should be (fizzy and bland). They also proudly serve proper sized pints, bucking the recent inner-city Perth trend of $11 schooners.

Hot and sour chicken wings ($29)

Lip-smacking! The juicy chicken wings had a sticky sweet marinade that made me want to lick my fingers clean. One of my favourite bites of the day.

RBH Cheese and pickle burger ($15 each)

The burgers had a high quality beef patty, melted cheese and a good slab of pickle. Unfortunately, most of us had to remove the cleverly branded top bun to fix the dry mouth feeling. More smoked BBQ sauce please :)

Poutine ($15)

Golden chips, chunks of soft cheese, gravy. Get it in your face!

Our lazy afternoon of eats, drinks and chats at Riverside Brew House was the perfect way to end the weekend. I’ll be back for cider, wings, and Perth’s best pickled octopus :)

Summary Likes: awesome house-made pickled octopus, juicy chicken wings

Dislikes: cheeseburgers were too dry (more sauce needed)

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie event

Overall: great microbrewery and a lovely spot for casual drinks and bar food

Contact Address: 173 Mounts Bay Road Perth WA

(08) 9211 8999

www.facebook.com/riversidebrewhouseperth

[imasticate]

Woodfire Italian Restaurant

30 July 2016 

My freebie Italian meals are keeping me going through winter. Martin from Morsels organised a food blogger feast of hearty Italian food at Woodfire Italian Restaurant in Ellenbrook - what a legend! A big thanks to Lorenzo, the owner and head chef.

Panfritto ($9.90)

My earlier freebie meal at Davvero was upmarket Italian food which left me craving simple, homely flavours. This deep fried pizza dough hit the spot with warm, carb-loaded goodness.

Crocchette di patate ($12.90)

More crunchy things to kick-start our appetites. The smoked mozzarella and potato croquettes were smooth and cheesy inside, served with a creamy mushroom sauce made with actual mushroom bits! You would normally get 4 pieces but someone tucked in before my photo (who could blame them really).

Lasagna ($23.90)

I would cheerfully have demolished this delicious mountain of lasagna on my own, but we were sharing all of the dishes. Tender pasta, rich meaty sauce, and a lovely char on the cheese. Yummy!

Panino d’agnello ($5.90 each)

The pulled lamb slider was an unexpected highlight for me. I loved the juicy spiced meat, soft fluffy bun, and minty salsa verde. So much better than the dry disappointment at Tropico. This might not be traditional Italian food, but it was delish.

Confit duck and truffle ravioli ($23.90)

Definitely the ugliest dish we tasted, but thankfully this ravioli was still a winner. A rich meaty duck filling, earthy truffle butter, and the same fresh pasta made in-house.

Mushroom and orange risotto

We were stoked to try the mushroom and orange risotto, which is not yet on the menu. It made all of my risotto dreams come true. A smooth creamy texture, loads of mushrooms, and rice that had just the right amount of bite under my teeth.

Margherita pizza with buffalo mozzarella ($22.90); Prosciutto pizza ($25.90)

The carbs were starting to build in my tummy, so I wasn’t quite as excited for the pizzas. However, the dough was fluffy on the crust (not like dry crusts that you throw away) and there was a nice smoky flavour from the wood-fire oven. I liked the jazzed up margherita pizza with its melty buffalo mozzarella blobs. Also, I’m always a sucker for prosciutto, so I managed to squeeze in a slice of the other pizza too.

Filetto di barramundi ($29.90)

Can you believe we were only just starting on mains? The barramundi fillet was well-cooked, but the star of the dish for me was the coal-roasted butternut pumpkin. The smoky, slightly burnt flavour really hit the mark.

Controfiletto ($33.90)

The steak meal is pretty impressive for the price. I prefer to cook my own steak at home, so I don’t buy it out very often (one exception is the awesome volcanic rock steak at Tsunami). However, this is a decent hunk of meat for $34, plus the roasted roma tomatoes were bursty and sweet.

Torta di Nutella ($13.90)

Dessert arrived in a wonderful flurry. We were popping with food but somehow managed to dig into the sweets. The Nutella hazelnut brownie was thick and rich, paired with salted caramel ice cream and chocolate sauce. A delicious heart attack on a plate mmm!

Torta di mele ($11.90)

The warm apple cake was just right for the winter’s afternoon. A little less sugary than the brownie, but it still satisfied my sweet tooth with the vanilla ice cream and sticky butterscotch popcorn.

Meringata al limone ($12.90)

My favourite dessert was always going to be the lemon meringue pie and this was the best I’ve tasted since Jamie’s Italian (turns out Lorenzo was actually the head chef at Jamie’s!). The pie was piled with a decadent layer of fluffy smooth meringue. The pastry was buttery and flaky, plus the curd had a lovely tangy citrus buzz. Bonus: mint leaves and berry compote. If you powered solo through the dessert menu, you would defs leave with a toothache, so I recommend sharing with family or friends!

Nonna’s Walking Sticks

Nonna’s Walking Sticks have not yet made it to the menu, but WOW were they fabulous. Golden, crispy, fried doughnut sticks coated in cinnamon sugar and dunked in a rich dark chocolate sauce. Think of churros, but fluffier. Also, I’m sure you won’t pay $9 for three skinny sticks like you would at San Churros.

The feast came to an end in the mid-afternoon. We tasted heaps of dishes at Woodfire Italian Restaurant and I really only had positive things to say. You’ll find hearty, homely, tasty Italian food in a family-friendly restaurant. This would be a regular spot for me if I lived anywhere near Ellenbrook. Lunch would usually cost about $30pp but there’s a $15 pizza and pasta special during lunch. Great food and a lovely owner - give it a go!

Summary Likes: lasagne and lemon meringue pie, plus risotto and Nonna’s Walking Sticks (both not yet on the menu)

Dislikes: -

Value for money: N/A because this was a freebie meal

Overall: great casual Italian restaurant in Ellenbrook with hearty home-style meals

Contact Address: 1/12 Commercial Rd Ellenbrook WA

[phone]

www.woodfirerestaurant.com.au

[imasticate]

Old Lane Street Eats

27 June 2016

Old Lane Street Eats fills the shoes of long-time Chinatown favourite, Hawkers Cuisine (which moved across Northbridge to larger premises). The food is still mostly Malaysian, but how does Old Lane stack up against its predecessor?

You can make a booking online or by phone - the staff are very helpful and respond quickly. This is obviously a great location to pre-load before a night out, so bring your own booze for $3pp (no ice buckets supplied). We brought bottles of wine and ordered heaps of dishes to share in our group of 8!

Charcoal chicken wing (2 for $6.90)

Chicken wings need to be pretty special to deserve any real attention, eg. crazy hot wings at Outback Jacks. You’ve gotta remember that wings are only $3.99/kg at Woolies... These were mildly smoky from the charcoal and very meaty for wings, but the delicate caramelised skin needed the fierce chilli sauce to get a proper punch of flavour.

Spicy saliva chicken ($11.90)

“Why saliva chicken?” we asked curiously. Apparently, the spicy oil is supposed to make your mouth water! Our table was mostly Chinese, Indians and Sri Lankans, so we didn’t notice much heat from the chilli. The tender chicken was served chilled in fragrant oil, but tasted strangely ‘bready’ due to the crumbs on top. 

Crispy pork belly bao (2 for $8.90)

Mmmm this was the star dish for me. A soft mantou bun packed with a hefty slab of well-cooked pork belly (but the skin could be more crackly). There were also peanuts, cucumber, kewpie (Japanese mayo) and Thai slaw. A jumble of Asian influences, but very delish!

Mamak mee goreng ($7.90)

The top-notch mee goreng mamak at Satay on Charcoal puts this one to shame. I reckon it needs thick egg noodles, extra prawns (I counted 2), and more chicken and tofu. The sambal chilli was barely there, plus the plate was covered with lettuce. If the hipsters at Goreng² cook more authentic mee goreng, then it’s time to fix your recipe.

KL wonton noodle ($7.90)

Wonton noodles are one of my lifelong favourites. The two little pork and prawn dumplings were okay. I really enjoyed the simple egg noodles with a rich soy sauce gravy. The char siew (BBQ pork) needs some work - it was dry, tough and looked like ancient beef jerky. Noodle Forum is my regular lunch spot to satisfy char siew / noodle cravings, but you can’t get boozed at the same time...

Thai pork skewer (3 sticks for $5.90)

Ahh so bloody tiny! I like a good, long hunk of meat (heh). These pork skewers were hardly a mouthful and seemed like a rip-off for ~$2 each. Save your money for Satay on Charcoal another night.

Filipino pork belly skewer (3 sticks for $5.90)

*Phew*. The pork belly skewers were more substantial and had a lovely caramel glaze, plus a decent garlic, chilli, and vinegar dipping sauce. Most Filipino food is (honestly) quite crap and peasant-y, but the grilled pork and seafood were always worthwhile.

Beef murtabak ($9.90)

My mum says murtabak shouldn’t have peas and corn (obvs from frozen packet) - maybe the vegies are designed to make you feel healthier? Who knows. The pancake had a good crunch and tasty chilli sauce on the side.

Marmite chicken bao (2 for $8.90)

Yum! Vegemite/Marmite chicken bun sounds like the most Westernised dish ever, but I loved it. Crunchy batter, tender boneless chicken, salty Marmite sauce, creamy kewpie and a scattering of veg. Defs try this one.

Old Land Street Eats is a mixed bag - there are some great dishes (including Asian fusion), but some Malaysian staples just aren’t up to scratch. The staff are lovely and keen to ask for constructive feedback and dinner only cost $20pp, so give this new(ish) restaurant a go. We’ll return for another boozy feast - but next time, I’m not sharing my Marmite chicken mantou.

Summary Likes:  pork mantou, Marmite chicken mantou, staff receptive to feedback

Dislikes:  mee goreng mamak not up to scratch, pork skewers were tiny

Value for money: decent

Overall: good spot for boozy Malaysian dinner with a group of friends

Contact Address: Chinatown 17/68 Roe Street Northbridge WA

(08) 9227 9992

https://www.facebook.com/oldlanestreeteats

[imasticate]

Authentic Bites Dumpling House

13 June 2016

My heart had a dumpling-sized hole after Xintiandi shut its doors. I hunted for a new favourite for months, but no other xiaolongbao (”little dragon bun”) was up to standard. It looks like Authentic Bites Dumplings House might be the answer to my dumpling prayers. Say hello to Perth’s best hand-made xiaolongbao, yay!!

This no-frills restaurant is only recognisable by the line of savvy dumpling-lovers. Every table was filled with Asians, which is a really good sign. The chef used to work at Din Tai Fung, a super popular chain of xiaolongbao restaurants (including an outlet in Sydney and loads in Hong Kong) and most of the other kitchen staff are also from Taiwan.

Kitchen staff busy making fresh dumplings

A couple of my vegetarian friends were sad that the veg dumplings had sold out (so they had to eat tofu and sides of greens, bleurgh). I would make a beeline for Authentic Bites Dumpling House if you are a pork-lover, but otherwise you might want to look elsewhere. Also nobody else was ordering the noodles, so I dunno if they’re any good... you try first and tell me?

Steamed juicy pork dumplings (8 pieces for $11.50)

So let’s get straight to the point. The xiaolongbao had a delicate silky wrapper (a tiny bit thicker than I hoped for, but still impressive), a well-seasoned pork mince filling, and a gorgeous warm broth inside. I loved the original pork xiaolongbao, but my friend enjoyed the lightly seafood-y flavour of the pork and crab dumplings. We found black vinegar on the table, but you can ask for red vinegar if that’s what you prefer. However, it was a pity there was no freshly shaved ginger.

Steamed crab and pork dumplings (8 pieces for $13.50) 

Do you want instructions on how to eat these soupy dumplings? You should enjoy them however you like, but here’s my favourite method:

Scoop or pour a few drops of black or red rice vinegar onto your Chinese spoon. 

Gently squeeze the top of the dumpling to pick it up and place it onto your spoon (hint: unlike my noob friend featured in the photo above).

Bite a little hole in the top, suck out some of the soup - be careful, the contents might be hot!

Poke some freshly shaved ginger (not always available) into the hole.

Slurp up the whole dumpling and vinegar, chew, swallow, happily sigh with satisfaction.

Pork wonton in spice sauce (12 pieces for $11)

I loved these dumplings! The yellow wontons had a delightfully slippery skin. We all enjoyed the powerful sauce which was salty, spicy, and nutty. This is definitely a dish that we will order again next time.

Pan fried pork dumplings (12 pieces for $11)

We ripped apart a thin, golden pancake which was hiding our pan fried dumplings. A spoonful of chilli oil helped to give these dumplings a bit of kick because they were not as flavoursome as the others. The fried bottoms were crispy and the wrappers were tender, but I personally like the steamed dumplings better than the fried ones.

Dinner cost less than $15pp and included free good quality Chinese tea. There is no credit card surcharge and the staff are very friendly. Lots of ticks - I’m excited to return again soon!

Summary Likes: delicate hand-made xiaolongbao, pork wontons in spicy sauce

Dislikes: when my vego friends are difficult to please...

Value for money: excellent

Overall: best hand-made xiaolongbao in Perth (and it’s already very popular)

Contact Address: 145 Newcastle Street Northbridge WA

0423 310 599

www.facebook.com/AuthenticBitesDumplingHouse