The Aviary
Nothing says “I love you mum” more than a rooftop picnic with with live acoustic music. $45pp gets you a drink on arrival, open sandwiches, chai tea baby cakes, T2 marshmellows, quirky tars and playful sweets. And if you really love mum you’d upgrade her to Moet and Chandon for $55. Just sayin. Sunday 12 May. Call 08 9226 0259 to book.

Breakfast Banquet at Kahawa Cafe
Mum needs great coffee on Mother’s Day. You can find this at Kahawa Cafe in Claremont. Here you will also find the Breakfast Banquet for One. $30 gets you great coffee and too much food to mention here. Sunday 12 May. Call 93856834 to book.

Chapel Farm Swan valley
Head out of town to the Swan Valley. Start at  Chapel Farm in the Swan Valley with a Courtyard Feast. $55pp gets you a limitless lunch.  Winery hop your way home. Call 08 92504755 to book.

The menu is interestingly laid out under headings such as ‘The Oceans & Rivers’ and ‘The Farm’, and features mouth-watering meat and seafood centric Italian dishes without a pizza or pasta to be seen.

We’re still weighing up the options when our friendly wait-staff offer us an off-the-menu group dining experience, during which we’ll be served a selection of dishes to share (or approximately 40% of the menu, we’re told).  We accept, excited by the prospect.

A parade of entrees ensues, with starters such as Zucchini Flowers stuffed with Prawn and Salmon Mousse, steaming pots of garlicky Braised Clams in White Wine, Pan-fried Garfish dressed in Chilli and Herbs and a tasty Caremelised Pork Belly with Hummus and Aged Sherry Pomegranate Dressing.  All dishes are impressive, but possibly the inventive and delicious use of zucchini flowers causes the biggest stir.

A brief pause and change of crockery later, out roll the heartier mains.  The Greek Roasted Banjo Dorper Lamb Shoulder is well received, having grabbed our earlier attention on the menu.  But the enormous Tomahawk with Onion Rings and Bearnaise Sauce is an unlisted surprise.  Juicy and cooked to perfection, it is the winner of the evening.  Sides of leafy greens and Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil and Sea Salt rounds out the meat dishes.

The party is in full swing as we leave, full and happy, and we’re pleased we arrived early enough to grab a quiet corner.  With plenty of satisfying dishes on the menu (and even a few off it) we’re delighted with the chef’s selection, which thoughtfully catered for our party size and prevented any fighting over the last bite.

Although, to our embarrassment, my fiancé did insist on taking the meaty Tomahawk bone home… “for the dog”.

Open: Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – Late
Phone: 9383 1638
Where: Claremont Quarter, Gugeri Street, CLAREMONT

The Terrace Hotel | 237 St Georges Tce, Perth | (08) 9214 4444 | terracehotelperth.com.au
If the words ‘sumptuous Sunday roast’ make you giggle, then head to the new and improved St George’s House. The heritage listed building has been transformed into Perth’s swankiest boutique hotel, with just 15 suites. But what The Terrace lacks in beds, it more than makes up for in luxurious interior. Think crystal chandeliers, rich furnishings and an impressive mahogany bar. Keep an eye out for the soon-to-be-launched afternoon teas.

Oldie but a Goldie

Kakulas Sister | 29-31 Market St, Fremantle | (08) 9430 4445 | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
An Aladdin’s cave of spices, coffee and products from all over the world, Kakulas Sister is a riot of international food. This is the place to find South American dried chillies, Persian fairy floss and all kinds of hard-to-find ingredients. You’ll even find yerba mate tea, as well as the customary mate accessories – the perfect gift for that foodie friend who has everything.

Do & See

The Nutcracker at His Majesty’s Theatre | 825 Hay St, Perth | (08) 9265 0900 | Fri 23 Nov 2012-Sun 9 Dec 2012 | hismajestystheatre.com.au
The Nutcracker is a classic. There’s no denying it. But at His Majesty’s Theatre this summer, this take on The Nutcracker comes with a modern online love story twist. Performed by the West Australian Ballet and with the Tchaikovsky score by the West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, this new interpretation of a classic will spice things up just in time for the festive season.

Summer Sunday Markets | Corner Boas Avenue and McLarty Avenue | 12 noon-4pm, every Sunday from 18 Nov-16 Dec | joondalup.wa.gov.au
Get a head start on your Christmas shopping with a retail double whammy of the Summer Sunday Markets and nearby Lakeside Shopping City. Shop ‘til you drop among WA’s best arts, craft and fashion. With food stalls and local bands playing, it’s well worth the trek up north.

Out of Town

Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival 2012 | 9am-4pm Sat 8 Dec 2012 | cherryfestival.com.au
If you love cherries (and who doesn’t) get yourself down to Manjimup. In two weeks’ time the town celebrates all things merry and cherry during a day of pip spitting, pie eating and cooking demonstrations. Do yourself a favour and look into the wonderful long table being held the day after: five courses of fabulous food set within an idyllic orchard, get in now to avoid disappointment.

Love just-plucked-from-the-earth produce but can’t be bothered getting your hands dirty? We have the restaurant for you – so long as you’re willing to pay a pretty penny for it.

Husband and wife team Kiren and Kelli Mainwaring are the culinary force behind the newly opened Co-Op Dining. Like their award-winning Caversham restaurant Dear Friends, Co-Op serves 100 per cent gathered and foraged local produce, prepared in-house as innovative degustation menus.

“We wanted to create a premier place to promote what we’ve got in WA because really, we should be proud of it,” Kiren said.

There’s pork from Bullsbrook, vegetables from Muchea, marron from Margaret River and wild fennel, garlic and wattle seeds that Kelli and Kiren forage themselves in the Swan Valley. Tuesday nights see a vegie-only experimental menu, which depends entirely upon whatever Kiren picks at dawn the day before.

Dinner at Co-Op Dining doesn’t come cheap. But once you come to terms with the fact that the prices are a reflection of the time and care spent collecting and preparing the best-of-the-west ingredients, you can appreciate what Co-Op is all about: delicious, local food that Western Australians can call their own.

Need to know

Address: 11 Regal Pl, East Perth
Hours: Tues-Sat 5-10pm
Phone: (08) 9221 0404
Details: co-opdining.com.au

New

Angry Moose | 562 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley | Open 7 Days 7am till late | (08) 9328 9947 | theangrymoose.com.au
Capitalising on the fact that most burger lovers happen to be dude food lovers, Angry Moose has got all its bases covered. The BYO burger bar’s menu includes burgers of mainstream proteins (no moose, but there are two vegetarian choices), pulled pork nachos, lemon pepper calamari and a daily snack plate. They’re even serving breakfast – one of which is called ‘The Kitchen Sink’ for man-sized appetites.

Oldie

Corica Pastries | 106 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge | (08) 9328 8196 | Mon-Fri 8am-5:30, Sat 8am-noon
A trip to Corica means one thing – apple strudel. Layers of crisp pastry with clouds of cream and stewed apples, these strudels are so famously good they’re often flown out of the country as gifts. The lesser known blueberry and apple version is perfect for the festive season, though if you’re looking for something extra, their cannoli and custard horns are pretty fabulous too.

Do & See

Beaufort Street Festival 2012 | Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley and Highgate | Noon-9pm, Sat 17 Nov 2012 | beaufortstreetfestival.com.au
It’s back for 2012 and this time it’s bigger and better than ever. The Beaufort Street Festival now has over 100 stalls and a micro food and wine festival to boot. Closed from Walcott to Lincoln Street, Beaufort Street will be, for one day only, a pedestrian paradise. Check out the car parks doubling as bars, a vintage market and a block party; plus fashion parades, arts projects, shopping and live entertainment including a pop up choir. This is a community festival not to be missed.

Twilight Hawker Markets | Forrest Place, Murray Street, Perth | Every Friday from 16 Nov 2012-26 April 2013 | showmeperth.com.au
You know summer’s almost here when the smell of hawker fare wafts through the heart of the city. Small bites of Indonesian satay, Columbian empanadas, Turkish gozleme, Spanish pintxos and Moroccan tagine await you at tonight’s first Twilight Hawker Markets for the season. With wandering buskers and entertainers and lanterns lighting the balmy night sky, this is a great way to start your weekend.

Out of Town

Avenue Q at Roleystone Theatre | 587 Brookton Highway, Roleystone | (08) 9397 5730 | Fri 16 Nov to Sat 1 Dec | $20 tickets | roleystonetheatre.com.au
Aimed at adults and mature teenagers, this sassy puppet musical is about Princeton, a wide eyed college graduate who moves to New York and into an apartment on Avenue Q. Together with his neighbours, Princeton discovers life is not exactly as easy as he’s been led to believe. Rude, funny and full of adult themes, including puppets ‘doing it’, you’ll be guaranteed a laugh at this coming of age story.

According to the sign on the door, New Moon is Hoi’s Kitchen reincarnated. Though we can’t vouch for its predecessor, New Moon is on the path to becoming a local favourite. Tea comes straight away via a waiter’s shout across the room. Two steaming trolleys piled with square baskets of dumplings and dishes of saucy meat and chickens’ feet traverse the small space. It feels like you’re overseas.

Among the many freshly steamed dumplings you’ll find the classic dim sim (siew mai), dainty prawn and scallop dumplings, and open pouches of prawn and spring onion. There are also Shanghai soup dumplings, the chopstick skill-tester of the yum cha world. If you don’t puncture these dumplings in transit between your bowl and your mouth, hot soup will accompany the first bite, followed by a soft, pliable dough skin.

When you’ve made your way through the depths of each trolley, look to the circling trays of deep fried and baked treats. Deep fried squid tentacles are reportedly addictive, as are the buttery chicken pies.

If the food isn’t news enough, read this: New Moon serves dim sum on Friday and Saturday nights. Now you know where to go to satisfy those dumpling cravings before painting the town red.

Need to Know

Where: 63 James St, Northbridge 
Hours: Tue-Sun 9.30am-3pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-10pm, closed Mon
Phone: (08) 9328 8720

Jonathan Holloway is Artistic Director at the Perth International Arts Festival, so it goes without say that he’s a little bit quirky. We asked him what his top five hidden bars were, and he decided to respond in imperfect haikus, as one does. Jonathan has been to hidden bars all over the world, and reckons that Perth has some of the best.

“In order to make my choice of hidden bars, I undertook exhaustive research, but that’s just the kind of dedication that’s got me to where I am today,” said Jonathan. But why the haikus? “Partly to maintain an air of mystery – an adult treasure-hunt, if you will.” Without further ado, here are Jonathan’s top five hidden bars, in haiku.

Juanitas | 341 Rokeby Road, Subiaco | (08) 9388 8882 | Open Tues-Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 2pm-7pm

Just down from Boucla
Subiaco arts shop hides
Juanitas, most cool.

Mechanics Institute | Rear 222 William Street, Northbridge | (08) 9228 4189 | Open Tues-Sun midday-late | mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au

In new Northbridge bar
Facing Blue Room, Mechanics
Institute good times.

Bobeche | Underground 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth | (08) 9226 5596 | Open Mon-Sat 4pm-11.30pm | theheritageperth.com.au

Bobeches’ cocktails
Perth’s Heritage underground,
Prohibition style.

The Jazz Cellar | Cnr Buxton St and Scarborough Beach Rd, Mt Hawthorn | (08) 9447 8111 | Friday nights, doors open 5.45pm

My Mount Hawthorn Jazz
Through red phone box, cellar dwells,
But full, each damn time.

Mrs Brown | 241 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle | (08) 9336 1887 | Open Tues-Thur 4.30pm-12am, Fri-Sat 1pm-12am, Sun 1pm-10pm | mrsbrownbar.com.au

The Victorians
Loved secrets. Mrs Brown’s hide
In North Fremantle.

The 2013 Perth International Arts Festival runs from Feb 8 to March 2 and the program launched tonight at 8pm. Details at perthfestival.com.au.

This newly opened restaurant is owned by Olga and Gino Lamelza, the same folks behind the popular Zucchero Espresso Bar. The menu is a nod to the couple’s shared Molisano heritage. We love the share plates like polpette (meatballs), marinated octopus and mozzarella di bufala, all perfect with a glass of red. Of course there’s pasta and heartier mains for the hungry.

“We saw the opportunity in Vic Park to open an enoteca (wine bar) with the focus being on Italian imported wines and our traditional family recipes. We use fresh quality ingredients reflecting the old flavours; simple Italian classics made from the soul,” Olga told Agenda.

It goes without say that L’Enoteca’s forte is its Italian-heavy wine list, with varietals such as Chianti, Amaretto and Valpolicella, as well as a list of digestifs that includes Limoncello. Finish with the latter – it’s how the Italians do it.

Address: 249 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park
Hours: Tue-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm
Phone: (08) 9472 5881
Details: facebook.com

Co-op Dining | 2/11 Regal Place, East Perth | Open Tue – Sat from 6.30pm | (08) 9221 0404 | co-opdining.com.au
Kelli and Kiren Mainwaring’s eagerly awaited new venture, Co-op Dining, opens tonight for its first service. Similar to their Swan Valley Dear Friends restaurant, Co-op’s focus is on foraged, organic and locally sourced food. Offering a 5 or 10 course degustation, this new addition will surely further the inner city’s burgeoning food scene. Not feeling like a degustation? No problem. There’s a 10-seater bar where you can experience the day’s nibbles without commitment.

Oldie

Rochelle Adonis Cakes + Confections | 193 Brisbane Street, Northbridge | (08) 9227 0007 | Wed to Sun 10am – 4pm | rochelleadonis.com/
Located in the quieter end of Northbridge, this French inspired studio is a must visit. Whether for the almost legendary high teas, dessert degustation or cooking classes, Rochelle Adonis is a sweet tooth’s heaven. If stopping for a quick bite do try the decadent, whiskey spiked signature chocolate cake or the ‘Glammington’, a sophisticated take on the lamington with layers of Vahlrona chocolate ganache. If that doesn’t convert you into a chocolate lover, nothing will.

Do & See

Carnival Macabre | Northbridge Piazza & Superscreen | Till Sunday 4 November 2012 | showmeperth.com.au/event/carnival-macabre
Halloween is not quite over in Northbridge, as Carnival Macabre continues into this weekend with spooky (and free!) events. There’s the Mexican Day of the Dead Food Market for the foodies and cinephiles should head in for tomorrow night’s Dracula Immersive Cinema experience. The Carnival ends with Piazzarama Northbridge, followed by three eerie (but family friendly) films on the screen.

Open House Perth | 3^rd and 4^th November 2012 | openhouseperth.net/
Check out some inner city buildings as you’ve never seen them before – from the inside! Have a sticky beak in and around some of Perth’s most iconic buildings, such as the brand spanking new Perth Arena and Brookfield Place to older gems like the re-purposed flour mill that is Venn and Parliament House. Most of the destinations don’t require bookings and are self guided, so grab a program and get looking!

Out of Town

Geographe Crush 2012 | Bicentennial Square, Blair St, Bunbury | Sunday 4 November 2012 11am – 6pm | Individual entry $20 |wineandfood.com.au
If you’ve ever wanted to drink your way through the southern wine regions – all the way from Harvey down to Capel – this is your chance! Showcasing wines of the Geographe region from 40 vendors, entry into Geographe Crush includes a tasting wine glass, access to wine tastings and entertainment. There’ll be tapas style food available, plus packaged sales for new found favourites.

Perth has gone loco for all things Mexican. And we’ve gone a little loco for Mexican films. From 15-21 November, Cinema Paradiso in Northbridge will be screening the Hola Mexico Film Festival.

Director Itzel Rosas – who moved to Perth from Mexico City gives us the low down on where to find this city’s most authentic Mexican food. There’s more to Mexico than chimichangas and Corona.

That Little Mexican Place | 382 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth | (08) 9227 5755 | tlmp.com.au
One of the first Mexican restaurants in Perth, That Little Mexican Place, started in North Perth and now has locations in Vic Park and South Fremantle. “I always recommend That Little Mexican Place,” Itzel told us. “The owner, Gavin, travels to Mexico every year and brings his head chefs to learn from the masters of authentic Mexican cuisine… that’s love!”

La Cholita | 279 William Street, Northbridge | fb.com/pages/La-Cholita
A favourite bar in Northbridge, La Cholita has an amazing vibe thanks to its rough plywood tables and tattoo-inspired murals that cover the walls. There’s also a ginormous collection of tequila lining the bar. “La Cholita is another excellent place to go with good ambiance and excellent margaritas!”

El Publico | 511 Beaufort Street, Highgate | elpublico.com.au
“El Publico is another goody; the service and the ambience is excellent,” Itzel said. “I highly recommend the Huarache with green chorizo.” We, on the other hand, highly recommend anything poured by bartender James Connolly, who just won the Diageo World Class semi-finals in his division in Brisbane last week.

Mad Mex | 484 Hay Street, Subiaco | (08) 9381 9923 | madmex.com.au
“For something quick and cheap, go to Mad Mex. Try the soft corn tortilla tacos and don’t put excessive salad or it will kill the flavour!” Itzel warns. Who’d have thunk it?

Your place
Itzel’s parting words: “My last recommendation: there’s nothing better than having a good Mexican cookbook to cook with yourself! Good and authentic Mexican food needs a lot of heart and time to prepare. Cinnamon (Canela), one of the films we are presenting at the festival, reflects the importance of the food for the family, as well as the passion and the pride of Mexicans for its traditions and exquisite flavours.”

Gracias, Itzel!

Address: Cinema Paradiso, 164 James Street, Northbridge
Dates: 15-21 November
Details: holamexicoff.com

In Italy, the alimentari are more than just delis, they’re sanctuaries: cool places to escape the heat, stock up on quality produce, enjoy some friendly conversation and – most importantly – find a solution to the frequent what-the-hell-do-I-make-for-dinner conundrum.

The new Pimlott & Strand is your oasis. A respite from Fitzgerald Street’s traffic, road works and busy-ness. Somewhere for you to rest your sore feet, satisfy your sweet tooth and flick through a mag or two.

It’s so damn cheerful that at first you may feel scared. Give it time. Appreciate the splashes of lemony yellow, fresh flowers and the long table of happy customers sipping coffee and tapping their feet to a tune from Tony’s iPod. It’s what you need.

Your stomach rumbles at the site of shelves lined with baskets of pasta asciutta, fresh bread, spices, jars of sauces and preserves and an ungodly variety of chocolate. Then there’s the glass case displaying fresh ravioli, cured meats, cheese and ready-made meals. You’re home.

Address: 391 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-4pm
Details: pimlottandstrand.com.au

Yelo Kitchen | 404 Oxford Street, Mt Hawthorn | 9447 9441 | yelocornerstore.com.au/
Ok, it may be much smaller and less scenic than its older sibling on Trigg Beach, but the new Yelo Kitchen on Oxford Street has other things going for it: proximity to the city, great homemade food and a blessed respite from the sea of white wedding dresses that its neighbours’ shop windows are stuffed full of. Head there early to nab one of the eight seats.

Oldie

Courtyard Music | 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle | fac.org.au/courtyard-music  
Sunday’s are meant for chilling out, and there’s pretty much no better place to do just that than at the weekly Courtyard Music concerts at the Fremantle Arts Centre. This Sunday, grab your picnic and catch an earful of the free concert featuring Victorian folk singer Harry James Angus whose music “tells tales of buried bones, murderous stove cooks, sentimental corporate bankers and mystical cricket players.” Now, tell us you’re not intrigued.

Do and See

Fremantle Seafood Festival | Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle | Sunday, 28th, 10am-7:30pm | fremantleseafoodfestival.com.au/
Freo’s Fishing Boat Harbour has long been the trusted destination of seafood lovers, which is why it’s so fitting that the brand new Fremantle Seafood Festival is happening at said harbour this Saturday. There’ll be live music, cooking demonstrations, food and wine tastings and even a visit by Freo’s favourite foodie Anna Gare.

Out of Town:

Southwest FoodBowl Festival | 26-27 Oct | svc004.bookeasy.com
The gorgeous town of Nannup, 3 1/2 hours south of Perth, is hosting the Southwest FoodBowl Festival on the 26-27th. The festival will be celebrating the farmers and produce from the region with a heap of activities including “Meet the Farmer” tours, market stalls and a gala dinner. Gluttons welcome.

Well we have news for you. On trend Japanese fusion, minus fine dining prices yet oozing with style? Why, welcome to Vic Park’s newest izakaya, Kuza.

Walking in, you’ll be drawn to the alluring graffiti mural, dark decor and funky staff. But forget all that – look at the menu instead. Dive head first via the twice cooked pork belly confit, on a cushion of apple miso puree and crowned with a creamy parsnip slaw. The Dorper lamb chops are not be missed. They’re grilled with house teriyaki sauce, served with mint jelly and simply melt in the mouth.

Kuza’s seafood, fusion food or not, is in line with Japanese standards – that is, exceedingly fresh. Flown in from Melbourne, more unusual specimens like gurnard, Arctic surf clam and sweet Hokkaido scallops make an appearance on the sashimi platter, complete with hand cut daikon radish and shaved ice.

It’s not an izakaya without sake and there are some thirty to choose from, plus Japanese whiskies and a fabulous cocktail menu. The man behind that cocktail list, owner Alex, travelled Asia bringing back the latest food trends, even chefs and staff, to stock Kuza with a style of its own. With a new menu about to debut (look out for the wagyu steak with dashi gravy), you really should blaze your own trail here before everyone else does.

Where: Shop 1, 393 Albany Highway, Victoria Park, WA 6100
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 12 midnight
Phone: (08) 9361 8888
Website: facebook.com

You’ll be drooling over the fabulous range of cured meats, hams, legs of prosciutto and logs of sopressa. The cheese section is something to behold, with wheels upon wheels of cheese, cut or grated to order. Next time you’re stuck on what to serve as antipasto, come straight here. Olives, including Charlie’s house cured variety, crunchy pickled vegetables, octopus and white anchovies will win over your next dinner party for sure.

But if you find yourself peckish, here’s a local secret you can literally devour: Charlie’s continental roll. Even after all these years – in fact since 1967 – it’s still a bestseller. Filled with mixed meats and cheese from the deli and perhaps any pickled tidbits you fancy, it’s possibly Perth’s best continental roll. Pick one up at the onsite cafe with an icy granita.

Though Morley’s double blocks of Italian houses and market gardens are fast disappearing, Charlie’s is definitely here to stay. Having expanded twice to the complex it is today (which includes a specialist butcher, bakery and barbershop to name a few), it’s still family owned and run. You might even catch the eponymous Charlie pottering around behind the deli, with a big smile on his face.

Where: 497 Walter Road (Corner of Beechboro Road), Morley WA 6062
Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm, Sat 8am – 6pm, Sun 9am – 5pm
Phone: (08) 9279 1470
Website: http://www.charlies.com.au/

Something New

Emma’s Dim Sum Cafe Delight | 168 Newcastle Street, Northbridge | (08) 9328 9388 | Open Thu – Tue for lunch and dinner, closed Wed, Sat and Sun also open for breakfast
Fans of Emma’s in Victoria Park will be glad to know a second outpost has opened in Northbridge. Cafe Delight offers pretty much the same menu but in a bright and spacious restaurant. It’s also open early on the weekends, for those who fancy dim sum for breakfast. Our top picks are the chicken pie (it’s extremely buttery and both sweet and savoury), steamed pork ribs and deep fried squid.

Oldie

Rooftop Movies | City of Perth Roe Street Carpark, 68 Roe Street, Northbridge | (08) 9227 6288 | rooftopmovies.com.au/ | Runs till the end of April 2013
It’s that time of the year again when clear skies reign and movie screens come out of hibernation. Perched on top of Northbridge’s Roe Street car park, Rooftop Movies are back for another season of cult, arthouse and old school cinema. It’s a rooftop paradise complete with astro turf, palm trees and Perth’s skyline as a backdrop. Get your snacks and drinks from adorable vintage caravans and settle in for the ultimate movie night out.

Do & See

High Tea on Hay St & Fashion Sale | Hay Street, Subiaco | subi.net.au | Sunday 21 Oct 2012 12.00pm – 4.30pm | Fashion sale is free to attend and is open to the general public
This Sunday, Hay Street will be closed to traffic for a very girly afternoon of food, fashion and fun. Though the ticketed high tea event is sold out, the fashion and vintage stalls are open to the public, meaning bargains for all! There’ll be plenty of entertainment and food stalls, plus Subiaco Hotel’s outdoor bar will be serving drinks to make it a fashionista’s day out.

Festival of Perth Racing – Crown Perth Opening Day | Ascot Racecourse, 71 Grandstand Road, Ascot | perthracing.com.au | Saturday 20 October 2012
Celebrate the return of the horses by being trackside for the WA final of the Myer Fashions of the Field parade, plus the 9 race program that’s bound to get your heart racing. Ladies, get your hats and dresses ready and strut your stuff!

Out of Town
Lamont’s Swan Valley Spring BBQ | 85 Bisdee Road, Millendon | lamonts.com.au/ | 20 and 21 October 2012, two sessions per day, 11am – 2pm or 2pm until close | $40 per person, purchase tickets online
The weather is looking pretty good this weekend, so why not venture into the valley for lunch? Lamont’s, synonymous with good food and good wine, make it easy with their Spring BBQ. The delicious menu includes marinated chicken or a sirloin steak straight off the barbie, with sumptuous sides of couscous, pesto pasta salad and more – with chocolate mousse for dessert. Assorted nibbles, cheese and bottles of Lamont’s wines are also available for purchase on the day.

The menu is all about classic bistro food.  Tried and tested French favourites like salad Nicoise, ratatouille and mussels marinières will satisfy any Francophile’s appetite. But for the more adventurous, we say go for the steak tartare. Made with finely diced raw Dandaragan organic beef, Bistro Guillaume’s steak tartare is a winner. Dished up as a quenelle with pommes gaufrettes (waffle fries to you and me) the tartare is smooth, sharply seasoned and very addictive.

However our top pick for mains goes to something more homespun. Chef Guillaume Brahimi’s signature roast organic Liveringa chicken, served with Paris mash, for two is bound to be the juicy, tender and buttery ticket to win over that special date.

If you are fond of French food, get yourself here quick smart. The decor is stunning – Bistro Guillaume would win best dressed restaurant if there ever was such an accolade. As for the food, it’s generous, humble and excellently executed. Bistro Guillaume will definitely give Perth’s French bistros a run for their money.

Where: Burswood Entertainment Complex, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA 6100
Hours: Friday – Sunday 12 noon – late, Monday –Thursday 5.30pm – late
Phone: (08) 9362 7551
Website: crownperth.com

And it might just happen. Fuku is an omakase (degustation) and teppanyaki (cooked with heat) restaurant run by chef Tetsuya Sakamoto of Bang Mira! Dubai and Nobu Melbourne. Diners can choose from three set menus – good, better or best – and sit back to watch the seafood-slicing, egg-cracking, blowtorch-searing action. It’s like dinner theatre, but using the high quality ingredients like beef from Mayura Station in South Australia, Quail from the Hunter Valley, Kurobuta pork from Byron Bay, Tuna from Port Lincoln and Fremantle and prawns from Shark Bay.

The restaurant’s limited bar-style seating means that everyone has a front row seat. But it doesn’t come easy. Bookings for any of the 16 seats are only taken online and with a $50 deposit. Unless, of course, you are privy to the cryptic messaging system: if the lantern by the door is amber, there are seats available. Yes, it sound like it’d be simpler to just install a phone!

All will be forgiven when you get an eyeful of the gorgeous décor comprising plush carpeting, floor-to-ceiling racks of illuminated sake bottles, swivelling bamboo seats and a gorgeous kitchen-long glass splashback printed with Hokusai reproductions.

Whether or not Fuku manages to rival Momofuku remains to be seen – we’re just glad someone is trying.

Address: 20 Glyde Street, Mosman Park
Hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-late
Details: restaurant-fuku.com/

Something New

Apple Daily Bar & Eating House | Brookfield Place, Print Hall Level 1, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth | (08) 6282 0088 | Mon – Fri noon to midnight, Sat 4pm – midnight, closed Sundays | printhall.com.au/the-apple-daily-bar-eating-house/
Named after Hong Kong’s tabloid newspaper, the Apple Daily is the latest of Print Hall’s offerings to open. The menu, designed by David Coomer and head chef Sunny de Ocampo, is South East Asian street style. We are definitely looking forward to sharing plates of soft rice rolls with blue manna crab, clams with XO sauce and desserts like palm sugar with black rice.  Open till midnight Monday to Saturday, the Apple Daily is set to be the dining choice for night owls on the terrace.

Oldie

Alfred’s Kitchen | Corner Meadow and James St, Guildford | (08) 9377 1378 | Open 7 days 5pm till late | alfredskitchen.com.au/
With evenings warming up, why not have a late night bite at WA’s oldest burger kitchen? The burgers are huge and there are 40 styles to pick from, with the steak, egg, cheese and bacon burger a challenge in the waiting. If the appetite is not so willing, a cup of Alfred’s famous pea and ham soup by the roadside open fire is our top pick.

Do & See

MOSAIC | Saturday 13 October 2012 | http://www.propel.org.au/
An initiative aiming to document life in Perth for 24 hours, MOSAIC is inviting all Perthites (and surrounding regions) to take a snap on Saturday 13^th of October. Whether you are a DSLR, smart phone, film or Polaroid enthusiast, get registered, take a photo and you might just see your image publicly displayed at 140 William on November 8.

Lavazza Italian Film Festival | 11 – 24 October 2012 | italianfilmfestival.com.au/
The Lavazza Film Festival is back in town at Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX.   See outstanding Italian cinema, some of which have been featured at the Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Rome film festivals. Foodies will love Mozzarella Stories, a comedy involving cheese, Chinese and the mafia! Our pick is the exclusive preview screening of Woody Allen’s new romantic comedy, To Rome with Love, this Sunday 14 October.

Out of Town

Oktoberfest at Elmar’s in the Valley | 8731 West Swan Road, Henley Brook| Tickets  available for Sunday 15 and Sunday 21 October 2012, 11am – 5pm | elmars.com.au

It’s October and that means one thing – Oktoberfest! Pork shanks, bratwurst and of course, beer, are par for the course at Elmar’s but this weekend they’ll be turning it up a notch. There’ll be live music and games on the huge beer garden lawn plus Elmar’s Marzen Oktoberfest beer. Saturday 13th is sold out so don those liederhosen and get in quick for this Sunday (the 14th) or next week’s session on 21st October.

When on the hunt for good coffee, Sarah’s well honed barista eye looks for a clean, well kept machine, fresh beans and most importantly, consistently good coffee. “Skill trumps product. You can have a crap machine and not so great coffee… but a good barista can push out a good coffee through that,” says Sarah, readily confessing “There’s nothing worse than a bad coffee.”

Check out Sarah’s top five coffee haunts.

Santi’s | Corner of Monash Ave and Hampden Road, Nedlands | (08) 9386 2020 | santis.com.au/
The main barista Lisa, who’s on the machine all the time, makes great coffee from their exclusive blend. She’s really consistent which is what I like. Santi’s is Italian and family owned – they’ve put a lot of work into it and are very passionate.

Fez | 83 Walcott Street, Mt Lawley | (08) 9328 9999 | fezcafe.net.au/
At Fez you can taste the machine has been cleaned – they have high standards and this means the coffee has a nice aftertaste. Fez uses Five Senses; they like consistency and are particular about who goes on the machine. I like the atmosphere. It’s welcoming and has a Moroccan feel to it.

Yelo | 331 West Coast Drive, Trigg | 08 9447 9441 | yelocornerstore.com.au
Yelo has a brilliant location by the beach… It’s all environmentally friendly and they use Fiori for their coffee. The food is simple, very snacky in paper containers and the like. But it’s always heaving with people with a really friendly environment.

Epic Espresso | 5 Hay Street, West Perth | (08) 9485 1818 | epicespresso.com.au/
Epic’s coffee is outstanding – every single time. The machine, the whole place, is kept really clean. They also seem to be enjoying themselves. This is the kind of cafe I like – it’s smaller, welcoming and homely. The cakes are good too.

Frisk! Small Bar Northbridge | 31/103 Francis Street, Northbridge | frisksmallbar.com.au
This place is just really funky, consistent and friendly. My niece and nephew like coming here. They love the babycinos, muffins and cupcakes.

Bar Lafayette in Brookfield Place is the newest of the newcomers and sure knows how to make a good first impression. Upon walking through the door, customers are offered a tour of the rabbit warren-like interior comprising a series of sunken rooms, long corridors and dimly lit corners. Staff members are eager to point out the original staircase, one of the few remnants – internally, anyways – of the historical Perth Technical School Building which was renovated for the bar’s use.

Choosing a seat at Bar Lafayette is hard. Should you sink into the vintage velvet settee by the window, perch on a leather stool to watch the action at the bar or nab that plush-looking armchair with its table made of upcycled wooden wine crates? The server patiently awaits your choice before explaining what the bar is all about: a relaxed place serving great cocktails and local wine, alongside a range of finger food.

Ok, so there’s still a bit to do before Bar Lafayette reaches its stride: bare walls to decorate, a kitchen to (finally) open and a music system to iron the glitches out of. But hey, it’s still early days. In the meantime, we tip our hats to Bar Lafayette for nailing what is so challenging for other Perth bars – attentive, bend-backwards service. That alone has won us over!

Address: Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-midnight, Sat 4pm-midnight
Details: barlafayette.com/

Something New

Flipside Burgers | 222 William Street, Northbridge | Tues – Sat 11.30am – 10pm, Sunday 11.30am – 9pm, closed Mondays | flipsideburgers.com.au/
A new addition to the quickly growing William Street precinct, Flipside’s third outpost is minimalistic, stylish and all about the burgers. Driven by local produce, the food is uncomplicated and generous. Best part is that Flipside Burgers are keen on a tipple with that burger. Patrons at the also rather new Mechanics Institute can order food to be delivered to the bar without going around the block.

Old but must try
Fun Cats Catamarans | Coode St Jetty, South Perth WA | Open seven days a week from October to April, 10.30am – sunset depending on the weather | funcats.com.au/
The South Perth foreshore would not be the same without the catamaran sails flapping in the wind. Ready to be sailed by novices, the cats are a fun way to experience the Swan River and look up to the city’s skyscrapers from the water. If you’ve always wanted to sail the Swan, now’s the time to take the plunge! No experience is necessary and the hire includes tuition.

Do & See
North Perth Pop up Boutique | North Perth Town Hall | Saturday 6th October, doors open 10am | Free entry | popupboutique.com.au
A one day only event, this pop up boutique will showcase some of Western Australia’s finest handmade goods. Check out the sugary treats from Sweet Addition, Kookery’s (cute name!) cool tea towels and Patricia Fernandes’ ceramics. Workshops, live music and door prizes make this a shopping event worth popping into.

Grug at the 2012 AWESOME Festival | State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Cnr William and Roe St, Northbridge | Play runs from 9 – 13 October 2012, AWESOME Festival runs from 6 – 19 October 2012 | awesomearts.com/
Most of you will know AWESOME to be an innovative arts festival aimed at engaging children. But the young at heart (and the genuinely young too) will be pleased to know Grug is coming to town! Performed by Windmill Theatre for AWESOME, see our favourite striped haystack do ‘The Grug’ dance and solve problems the only way Grug knows how to. Get these tickets quick.

Out of Town

Sittella Winery Workshop in Sparkling Wines | 100 Barrett Street, Herne Hill | (08) 9296 2600 | Saturday 6th October 2012 at 10.30am | sittella.com.au/
Join winemaker Yuri Burns in Sitella’s Barrel Room to learn about how sparkling wine is made and best of all, how to appreciate and enjoy it. The workshop includes a preview of some of Sittella’s yet to be released sparkling varieties. The workshop includes a three course lunch. Tickets are $77.50 a person.

Luckily, we’ve got a tad more space for our Vietnamese hawker’s food here in Perth. We’re pretty sure we’ve found the city’s best Vietnamese restaurant and – best of all – the furniture is large enough to accommodate anyone whose booty is larger than a toddler’s. Hallelujah!

Tra Vinh in Northbridge is a place for good, honest Vietnamese food and not pretentious décor or romantic ambiance. The restaurant instead focuses on authentic flavours, large portions and speedy service, which is probably why its tables are perpetually filled with students, families and friends out for a casual meal.

Many come for classics like rice paper rolls, stir fries and noodle salads, but nearly everyone orders the pho – a delicious rice noodle soup made with chicken or beef that you season to taste with lime, bean sprouts, hoi sin and chilli sauces and fresh mint. It’s one of those belly-warming dishes that’s perfect on a chilly Spring day – so make sure to time your visit before the summer comes!

Address: 149 Brisbane Street, Northbridge
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Phone: 08 9228 2788

Open in time for spring, we can tell this coffee window (and the alfresco laneway area that’s in the works) is going to be popular. Here it’s about more than just a good cup of coffee; it’s about sourcing and helping good coffee farmers carve a niche for themselves.

Ristretto’s single origin coffees are grown by individual farmers and co-ops in high altitude ‘privileged’ growing areas. Owner Emanuele, buys the coffee seasonally, “It’s like an orange kept for months in a cool room – wouldn’t you want the orange straight from the farm? It’s the same with coffee.” These beans – literally the best of an area in a single season – are only six to eight weeks old from the date of export when they are roasted in Northbridge.

The site roasts up to 500 kilos a week, with each single lot coffee finished to retain its unique flavours so you can taste it in the cup. There are always two single origins and one blend available. If you’re looking for something extra special, look out for the ‘spot’ coffees coming up in the next couple of months.

From El Salvador (or Ethiopia, Kenya or Columbia – or anywhere great coffee is grown well, really) to a window in Northbridge, Ristretto’s bringing the world to you, in a paper cup.

Where: 53 Aberdeen Street (between William Street and Hook Lane), Northbridge
Hours: Mon – Fri from 7.30am, Sat from 8.30am
Website: ristretto.com.au/

Lalla Rookh | Lower Ground, 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth | Mon-Sat 11.30am – 12am | lallarookh.com.au
Named after a mine apparently named after a Kalgoorlie ‘showgirl’, it’s an odd name for sure. One of the newest bars in town, Lalla Rookh is both a bar and eating house, serving modern Italian made with a lot of West Aussie ingredients. Like its namesake (the mine’s population, not the showgirl) the menu is decidedly varied and democratic, with plates to pick at, pizzas, pasta, counter meals plus a few desserts – of which the lemon scented fried custard sounds fabulous. The wine list is impressively long, giving Australian beers and wines the limelight.

Oldie

Soul Sessions – Sundays at Must | 519 Beaufort St, Highgate | Sundays Live Music 5pm – 8pm | must.com.au
Head down to Must Winebar for a very classy, very French take on the Sunday session. Soul music, guest artists and a handpicked selection of cocktails, wines and spirits at retro prices await your Sunday evening. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you’re sure to find something from their famous by-the-glass wine list that will. Perfect for celebrating the long weekend!

Do & See

Perth Roller Derby Grand Final | Herb Graham Recreation Centre, 38 Ashbury Crescent, Mirrabooka | Doors open 6.15pm, Saturday 29 September 2012 | perthrollerderby.com.au
Watch tactics like ‘passing the star’, ‘the whip’ and ‘ending the jam’ as two all-girl teams – the Bloody Sundaes and Mistresses of Mayhem – attempt to defend, attack and lap the other in this sport that you might just see in the 2020 Olympics. Adult tickets are $15 and kids over 12 are admitted for $8.

Mid Summer Night’s Dream | Midland Junction Arts Centre, 276 Great Eastern Highway  Midland | 7:30pm 29th September 2012 |waapa.ecu.edu.au
Starring WAAPA’s graduating Acting students, this popular Shakespearean comedy has been given a bare bones, contemporary makeover. With no costumes or props or even scenery, expect to see talent shine bright while Shakespeare’s fairies get up to no good.

The Precinct’s German Long Table Dinner | 834 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park | 6.30pm Sunday October 28th 2012 | theprecinctvicpark.com.au
The Precinct’s next Long Table Dinner has a distinctly German theme – think beef roulade, pork shank, sauerkraut, spaetzle and apple strudel. Get your tickets now. $100 per person for 4 course dinner including matched beers and wine.

Out of Town

Stampede in the Valley | Brookleigh Estate, 1235 Great Northern Highway, Upper Swan | 30th September 2012 | Open 6.45am until 1.15pm; first wave at 7.40am | stampedeinthevalley.com.au
A 4km obstacle race fighting through muddy obstacles, the Stampede in the Valley is a fun run for people of all ages and fitness levels. An intensive thirty obstacles over 4 kilometres, it’s all about fun, sweat and dirt as runners slip and slide, run a gauntlet, cross billabongs and wade through mud pits and more! Definitely for those who want to get closer to nature.

The blog is also a place for feedback, which can be heated. “We love the discussions we have on the blog posts. It’s amazing to think that food can really get people fired up!” says Miss Egg. Always hungry for the next meal, Miss L looks forward to exploring The Merrywell’s dude food menu. Miss Egg’s hot tip is for the newly opened Print Hall.

For your next hot date, check out the Top 5 Restaurants for a Date by Miss Egg.

Andaluz | 21 Howard Street, Perth | (08) 9481 0092 | andaluzbar.com.au/
The smart casual culture with beautiful interior decor provides for an easy-going setting for a date (particularly a first date!). Being a tapas joint, a wide variety of dishes can be ordered and makes for a great conversation starter. Not to forget a gorgeous list of wines to choose from to keep the evening on a chilling note.

Le Bistro des Artistes | 424 Hay Street, Subiaco | (08) 6141 8761
Having been here not too long ago, the experience was quite amazing. At the moment Le Bistro des Artistes is still offering a $75 set menu, where you have an entree, main and dessert, with little surprises in between. The dishes are presented beautifully too. Be it a date or even a double date between couples, this place is a nice and fairly new establishment that has a good vibe.

Restaurant Amuse| 64 Bronte Street, East Perth | (08) 9325 4900 |restaurantamuse.com.au
Having won The West Australian Good Food Guide awards many years in a row and seeing the lovely dishes coming out from this kitchen, Restaurant Amuse is definitely a place to go for a date of significance. The dishes are freshly prepared, with any dietary requirements catered for. The degustation will provide for, once again, a variety of dishes, leaving little chance for conversations to go dry.

The Gala Restaurant | 22 Kearns Crescent, Applecross | (08) 9316 3600 | galarestaurant.com.au
The European setting to this restaurant provides a nice Tuscan feeling and real warmth when you step in. Friendly and attentive service with a beautiful ambience make this place a worthwhile visit for a date. Tasty complimentary starters, with the unique dessert ‘Salzburger Norckerl’ to share, are just some of the aspects making this restaurant a good choice for a date.

Crowded House | 25 Douro Road,  South Fremantle | (08) 93364147 | thecrowdedhouse.com.au/
South Fremantle has some hidden gems, Crowded House being one of them. Be it for lunch or a dinner date, this place has something homely and warm to offer. The desserts are special here, so save the tummy for some!

http://perthfoodengineers.com/

Little bites of wagyu mini burgers, pretzel dogs and potato pierogi are just the beginning. New England lobster rolls in glazed, warm brioche buns are soft, draped in mayo and served with house fried potato crisps. Burger lovers do not go past the KF Club, which is a burger to be reckoned with. A hefty, juicy fillet of chicken is seasoned, fried and ensconced in melting mozzarella, rocket and a massive bun.

At night, Merrywell’s dinner menu comes out to play. Fried chicken and red velvet waffles or the big wagyu meatball with fettuccine alfredo, done Brooklyn style, are our top picks. But what will separate the men from the boys is the 1.2 kg caveman steak. Yes – 1.2 kilograms! A behemoth of a rib eye, it’s wet aged for 35 days. If you’re feeling peckish, it comes in a surf and turf with Alaskan king crab legs, buttered corn, onion rings and steak sauce. Dude food has officially arrived in Perth.

Where: Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
Hours: Open 11.30am – midnight Sunday to Thursday and 11.30am – 3am Friday & Saturday
Details: crownperth.com.au/restaurants/casual/the-merrywell

Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall | 76 King St, Perth | Mon – Sat:7:00 am-4:00 pm | facebook.com/unclejoesmesshall
Opening last week, Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall is a bit utilitarian and temporary but bent on serving good food. Though very new, there’s already a redesign in the works which will see it expand to a dining hall and bar. The coffee is by Five Senses and they do a mean breakfast – think brekkie brioches, sardines with avocado smash and maple baked beans. Flowers for sale wrapped in newspaper, pretties up the space just nicely.

Old but must try

Mondo Mini Saturday Spring Markets | 824 Beaufort Street, Inglewood | 8:00am to 12:30pm every Saturday till 8th Dec 2012 | mondo.net.au
Spring’s sprung and with it sprouts the Mondo Mini Markets! Every Saturday from now till the second Saturday in December, the backyard of Mondo’s Butchers (already a foodie destination in itself) buzzes with dumplings, New Norcia Bakeries bread and empanadas. Don’t forget to grab a hot roast sandwich on your way out.

Do & See

Russian Resurrection | Cinema Paradiso | 164 James Street, Northbridge | 19 – 26 September | russianresurrection.com/2012/
Put away the babushka dolls and vodka and head into Cinema Paradiso for all things Ruski. The largest Russian cinema festival of its kind outside of Russia, the 9th Russian Resurrection film festival will be showing 25 contemporary films this season. Check out Vysotsky, a film about Russian music icon Vladimir Vysotsky, the most successful Russian box office film of 2011 – 2012.

Perth Upmarket | University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall, 35 Stirling Highway
Crawley | 10am – 4pm Sunday 23 September 2012 | perthupmarket.com.au
Perth Upmarket is on again at UWA’s majestic Winthrop Hall. In case you didn’t know, Upmarket is THE place to pick up jewellery, clothes and treats made by local, budding start ups and designers. There are more retailers than you can shake a cupcake at, so our advice is to get in early on the day.

Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta 2012 | Hulbert Street, South Fremantle | Saturday and Sunday September 22th and 23th 2012 from 10am to 4pm | facebook.com/HulbertStreetSustainabilityFiesta
Ever fantasised about walking into a house off the street? Well you can take a look around the open homes during this year’s Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta. The fiesta is all about inspiring and educating the masses about leading a more sustainable lifestyle. Along with open artist studios and gardens, there’ll be stalls, plenty of seating and buskers.

Studio Bomba’s I Heart Knitting lessons | 379 Oxford St, Mt Hawthorn | 08 9242 4333 | studiobomba.com.au/
Make your very own love heart cushion at Leederville’s gorgeous Studio Bomba. Big needles, yarn and good conversation are included while you make your very own piece of handicraft. No knitting experience required. Enrol now for two lessons over two weeks, starting Sat 6 October and Sat 20 October.

Yoke shares her top 5 eats in Perth, from heaven sent healthy to rich and decadent.

Genesis in the Hills | 124 Croyden Road, Roleystone | genesisinthehills.com.au
I think for me this is not only a place to eat, but a refuge. It’s good, healthy food that transforms your mind. I love their unbelievably good cake, especially their European Jewish style cakes! The salads and dips are also to die for. They’ve become really popular but it’s still worth the visit.

Spice Express | 41 Hulme Court, Myaree | the-spice-express.com
Spice Express’ food is the most authentic Indian Malay food I have found – plus the owners are really lovely. I come here at least once a week. The sticky onde onde (pudding-like rice flour balls filled with palm sugar and rolled in coconut) and their paneer with chickpeas are my favourites.

The Tuck Shop Cafe | 178 Newcastle Street, Northbridge
Absolutely brilliant food! This place has the best slow cooked food – you know, not using the best cuts, but cooked until tender. I love the roast pork with crunchy crackling. Tuck Shop’s reasonably priced too.

Dragon Palace | 66 Francis St, Northbridge | dragonpalace.com.au/
For yum cha, it’s my one and only place. Their prawn and chive dumplings, fried prawn dumplings (deep fried and served with mayonnaise) and porridge with century egg are must orders.

Sherbet Cake Shop | 206B Whatley Crescent, Maylands | sherbetbakeshop.com.au
Their cake is really good. They did go down in quality for a while, but they are back to their best again, if not better. My daughter has the finest sense of taste and smell and she just loves the cake here. It’s always fresh and made in house. I love their Nonna Felicia’s Sicilian Apple Cake. It’s delicious.

For more information on Yoke’s Wild Sourdough classes see wildsourdough.com.au

I’m pleased to report this is not the case.

From the entrance in the swanky Burswood lobby, to the glamorous bar and enormous chandeliers, Nobu screams money.  So does the menu, we’ve been warned.

The cuisine, “traditional Japanese fused with South American flavours”, sounds novel but works amazingly well.  Spicy Miso Chips with Tuna are small and moreish; just enough to excite us.  New-style Salmon Sashimi served with hot sesame oil is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and disappears quickly.

We take advantage of the individual Tacos and order one of each variety: lobster, wagyu, salmon & avocado and scallop.  Perfect little bite sized morsels, each tasting remarkably different.  The wagyu, we agree, tastes extraordinarily of cheeseburger.

The Pork Belly with Miso Caramel is presented in four decadent cubes and is just as delicious as it sounds, while the tender, salty Wagyu Tobanyaki can be smelled before it’s seen, arriving in a sizzling clay dish amongst onions, mushrooms and asparagus.

The servings are small, aside from a generous portion of Prawn Tempura with Creamy Spicy Sauce.  This dish surprises us at first, looking more like a red prawn curry.  However the lighter batter ultimately offsets the rich sauce and makes for a tasty combination.

Despite the hefty price tag, it would seem wrong to bypass Nobu’s worldwide signature dish: the Black Miso Cod.  I state confidently that it can not live up to the reviews.  However the flaky flesh is cooked to perfection in a sugary, white miso marinade that none of us can get enough of.  It is without a doubt the best fish I have ever eaten and the highlight of the evening.

Finally, we order the Bento Box of Chocolate Moelleux and Green Tea Ice Cream.  A fondant oozing its rich chocolate interior makes a fitting end to this indulgent meal.

As a group we are able to sample many dishes, but still barely scratch the surface of the menu.  The wine list is just as extensive.  Be sure to order a “bamboo” of sake for the full experience, or stay for some inventive cocktails at the bar.

This Perth addition to the Nobu family certainly lives up to the hype, and now I can finally contribute to those enthusiastic dinner party conversations.

Where:  Burswood Entertainment Complex, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
Phone: +61 8 9362 7551
Details: noburestaurants.com

The 21 burgers on the menu ensure diners are spoiled for choice. Carnivores will be pleased to know all beef burgers are made from single cut certified Angus beef, are freshly handmade on site and cooked till slightly pink in the centre. We recommend the New Yorker burger. Filled with that Angus beef, balsamic caramelised onions, cheddar, a whole lot of pickle and anchored by a sourdough bun, it’s the cheeseburger, all grown up.

Chicken burger lovers take note; there are seven very fine choices to choose from. With chicken breast marinated in chipotle, grilled and served with fresh lime and sweet corn salsa – how good does the El Mariachi burger sound?

The locally owned Burger Bistros believe in supporting local businesses and they’ve put their money where their mouths are. The spelt sourdough buns (more easily digested by those with wheat allergies) is baked by the monastic New Norcia Bakeries; Mt Barker’s free range chicken graces the chicken burgers and the lamb (in the Lamburgini burger – how cool is that name!) is Western Australian.

If you like your burgers honest, a little bit gourmet but minus the pretense, Burger Bistro is for you. With a liquor license pending, you can soon have a beer with that burger. Get in to this Burger Bistro before word gets out.

Where: 181 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth WA 6004
Hours: Open 7 days for lunch and dinner
Details : theburgerbistro.com.au

Bistro Guillaume | Crown Perth | Great Eastern Highway, Burswood |
7 days 5.30pm – late | Bookings call 9362 7551 | bistroguillaumeperth.com.au
Chef Guillaume Brahimi’s second Bistro Guillaume opened a couple of weeks ago at the rebadged Crown Perth. Bright and airy within, the bistro’s menu is inspired by the neighbourhood eateries of Paris. Linger over a dinner of mussel Marinieres, duck confit or dive into a wagyu rib eye for two, finished off with a chocolate soufflé. Get booking.

Old but must try

Beat the summer crowds and get in early for this season’s fix of fish and chips in our beloved Freo. It doesn’t get much better than a sunny day, a water view and a tray of fish and chips. We love Kailis for its fabulous seafood grill, Ciccerello’s for its massive fish tank and Sweetlips’ amazing squid rings complete with sunset views.

• Kailis Fish Market Cafe | 46 Mews Road, Fremantle | kailis.com
• Cicerello’s | 44 Mews Road, Fremantle | cicerellos.com.au/
• Sweetlips Fish & Chips | Unit 8/47 Mews Rd, Fremantle | sweetlips.com.au

Do & See

2012 Kings Park Festival | Kings Park | Ends Sunday 7th October | bgpa.wa.gov.au/festival
September in Kings Park welcomes the phenomenon of wildflowers. Occurring in early spring, a technicolour carpet takes over the parklands, allowing this unique sight to be seen within the city limits.

Perth Fashion Festival | Perth CBD | 19 – 26 September | perthfashionfestival.com.au/
Grab runway show tickets while you can for this year’s hotly anticipated Perth Fashion Festival. Catch local success story Morrison on the catwalk, see behind the scenes of a live fashion shoot and shop up a storm at the pop up shops before they close as quickly as they appeared.

Out of Town

Foragers | 1 Roberts Road, Pemberton | foragers.com.au
To herald the arrival of spring, Foragers is hosting seasonal dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. Think asparagus, lamb and creamy potato dauphinoise. Linger over dinner, then stay overnight in one of their luxe eco-chalets. For a mid-week escape, check out Foragers’ asparagus class running on the 19^th of September.

The menu can be daunting, but fear not! Here are our top four dishes to try:

Kimchi pancake (or kimchijeon)
A savoury pancake that’s crisp on the outside and meltingly soft within, we are yet to find a kimchijeon cooked as perfectly as Took Be Gi’s. If kimchi doesn’t tickle your fancy, try the seafood pancake.

Beef bulgogi
Marinated in a fresh fruit sauce (also made on site) and served on a sizzling hot plate, the thinly sliced beef is sweet, savoury and delectable.

Dolsot bibimbap (rice in a hot stone bowl)
Rice, vegetables, gosari (bracken fern – much tastier than it sounds) and red pepper paste are served in a blistering hot stone bowl. It’s DIY cooking from here. The more the rice is mixed, the tastier it gets.

Dumpling soup with rice cakes (or manduguk)
We love dumplings and can never go past these supersized darlings that are served with chewy rice cakes in broth. Filled with meat or vegetables with sweet potato noodles, it’s a healthy, wholesome meal. If you are a chilli addict try the dumplings in spicy soup – don’t say you weren’t warned!

Where: 542 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000 (the entrance is on Pier St)
Hours: 7 days 11.30 am – 8.30 pm

You’d hardly believe the elegant building was once a factory. Instead of the round-the-clock churn of the printing presses is the tinkling of cutlery on plates and pop of just-opened champagne, the smell of fresh ink has been replaced with food and what was once the newspaper’s safebox is now a 22,000 bottle-strong wine cellar.

But thankfully, remnants of the 80-year-old building’s Art Deco glory remain, such as the original timber detailing and terrazzo flooring. Paying homage to the building publishing past, Print Hall kept the original ‘The West Australian’ neon sign above the rooftop bar.

The three floors offer dining experiences as unique as the chefs helming the kitchens, including David Coomer (of Star Anise and Pata Negra fame) and Shane Watson (from Adelaide’s The Red Sea). The namesake ground floor is an expansive open plan bar and restaurant, dominated by a striking vertical garden of tropical plants at its centre. Star sommelier from Quay in Sydney, Daniel Wegener, is responsible for the $2.5million wine program and local oyster king, Jerry Fraser serves his infamous oysters at the bar.

The best view of the action is taken from the first floor, home to The Apple Daily Bar and Eating House, a modern Asian restaurant whose booths are nestled beneath stacks of newspapers. Venture even higher, through the newspaper-covered walls of the stairwell to Bob’s Bar, a open rooftop terrace surrounded by the city’s tallest buildings – and what we expect will be a favourite summertime drinking hole.

If Print Hall manages to make every night as successful as last week’s impressive launch party, we’re expecting great things when it opens its doors to the public on 25 September.

Address: Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Details: www.printhall.com.au/

Go Go Retro Vintage & Vinyl Roadshow | Sunday | State Theatre Centre of WA | http://wwwstatetheatrecentrewa.com.au
Attention Perth collectors and hipsters. Head to the Go Go Retro vintage fair at the State Theatre. Ultra rare collectables, retro furniture, and numerous vinyl dealers. Need we say more?

Cider Sessions | Clarences | 566 Beaufort St Mount Lawley | Sunday noon til close
It’s going to be 28 and sunny this Sunday. So after you’ve had your vintage and vinyl fix we suggest you head on down to Clarences for a little cider session. A pint of Westons Stowford Press cider will set you back $6 plus there’s a bunch of local and imported cider specials. No better way to spend a Sunday.

Out of Town
Millbrook Winery 2012 Viognier Lunch & New Release Tasting | Old Chestnut Lane, Jarrahdale | Tickets $99 | Call to book 9525 5796
Millbrook winery have their annual Viognier lunch this weekend. Taste new release wines with canapes before sitting down in the restaurant for a delicious main of milk braised pig cheeks, fennel, orange, macadamia nut & vanilla bean salad. If that’s not enough to get you there you’ll finish the day with Cambray sheep cheeses, preserved autumn fruit and petit fours. We’re there.

Rottofest | Rottnest Island | 8-9 Sept | Weekend Pass $189, Day Tripper $89 | 2012.rottofest.com.au/
In it’s third year running Rottofest, Perth’s “offshore” comedy and music festival, is set to be a cracker. Anthony Jeselnik from the US will be headlining in the comedy department with Aussies Big Hoo-Ha, Chris “the Bloke” Franklin, Dayne Rathbone and more. In the Music department expect more than 15 acts including Millions, Set Sail, the Medics and Sonpsilo Circus.

Something to buy

utaste.com.au | $29 per month plus shipping
uTaste is a decadent subscription for $29 per month. It’s quite simply a delicious collection of gourmet treats in one box. Instead of just talking about the food we’ve decided to deliver it to you direct. Each month we select the most amazing treats we can find, box them up and ship them to you direct.

We like to call it a tasty box of decadence. Would you like one?

The fact that our visit to Tenth State was in the middle of a hailstorm made the contrast between outside and in especially striking. Crawley’s newest gift-cum-coffee shop was like a warm, cosy den… but after a look around, we’re pretty convinced it’s like that in any weather.

Sisters Jess and Belinda are the proud owners of the week-old shop. The Perth locals transformed the former clothing store into a gorgeous little two-room gift shop and coffee bar.

The sisters looked far and wide to stock the store with an ecletic mix of accessories and basics. “I love quirky, vintage things, but our shop caters to different styles,” Jess told us.

On the beautiful box shelving built by 90° Carpentry sit neon rubber watches, vintage tea cup candles, tea towels, jewelry and home wares. Our favourite? The colourful range of Moksoks – moccasin-style slippers designed by the sisters themselves and made in Sweden. We’re hanging out for them to come in adult sizes!

In another corner of the shop is the mini-café. Tenth Estate serves delicious 5 Senses coffee and homemade sweet and savoury treats like carrot cake, roast pumpkin muffins and Oreo cupcakes. Word must be spreading about what’s on offer as the café welcomes a steady stream of students who pop in on their daily commute to UWA for some caffeine and sustenance.

Plans are in the works to bring in addition seating and even to set up an outdoor flower stall. Let’s just hope the hail stays away!

Address: 2/10 Broadway, Crawley
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm | Sat 8:30am-3pm
Details: facebook.com/thetenthstate

Mechanics’ Institute is the brainchild of Perthites Hamish Fleming and Siobhan Blumann, owners of small bar Mrs Brown – a gorgeous North Fremantle small bar that welcomes patrons to bring in take-away burgers from the neighbouring Flipside (yep, Hamish and Siobhan own this too) as they sip a libation or two.

The same burgers-and-cocktails concept is at play at Mechanics’ Institute. The brand new small bar sits above an equally shiny new Flipside on William Street, just opposite Universal Bar.

It took a fair while to convert what was previously an alleyway into the small bar that it is today – but the result is pretty spectacular. The 120-seat venue is dominated by its expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the city and cultural precinct. It may be within eyeshot of the rollicking mega-pubs with its binge-drinking clientele… but it feels miles away. Mechanics’ Institute isn’t a place to go wild – it’s a place to chill out under the stars with mates without going broke.

Rather than make a statement through its minimal decor (rows of upcycled Octoberfest tables line the terrace and rusty typewriters sit on the bar) Mechanics’ Institute is about honest prices and quality cocktails. They’ve nabbed some of the best bartenders in the business and committed to reasonable prices.

We can only hope that Perth’s future small bars follow suit.

Where: 222 William Street, Northbridge
Open: Everyday, noon-late
Details: mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au/

Oldie but a goldie
Wolf Lane | Wolf Lane (off Murray Street or King St) Perth | wolflane.com.au
The publican group (the folk behind The Aviary, The George and The Byrneleigh) have taken over the old Wolfe Lane.  Not only have they removed the “e” from Wolfe, they have also given the interior a makeover, adding vintage furniture and graffiti art to the works, as well as giving the food and drink menu a makeover. They’re also planning to introduce monthly education workshops with food and drink matching. Time for a revisit we think!

To do
Blend your own | 4th Sept 6 The Wine Store | $40 | www.thewinestore.com.au
Want to impress your mates at the next dinner party? Learn how to blend your own wines at the Wine Store in Freo this Weds. Ryan Walsh of McHenry Hohnen will take you through the art of blending, taste a range of his wines and blend your own using a variety of base wines direct from tank and barrel.

Out of Town
The Cheese Maker Mozzerella Madness | Sept 1-29, 2012| $149.00per person | 920 Great Northern Highway Millendon | swanvalley.com.au
Here at Agenda you may have noticed that we’re slightly mad about cheese. So we got a little excited when we saw this course for Mozzarella making at The Cheese Barrel in Swan Valley. The course concludes a pizza creation cook-off using the cheese you have made and a ‘Mozzarella Making Guide’ and your own tub of bocconcini.

Something to buy
Style Rocks | stylerocks.com
Style Rocks lets you build your own bling from scratch – it’s high-end tailor-made jewellery at its best. Select your own metals, finishes, engraving, embossing, charms and gems – something that’s distinctly ”you”.

The Re-Store Leederville | 231 Oxford Street, Leederville 
You should already know about the Re-Store. My mother has bought all her antipasto from here since ‘79. There’s a massive range of obscure liqueurs from all over Europe and Asia, a large range of wine, fresh pasta, lunch rolls, and a large selection of meats and cheeses. Be sure check out the pricey glass mini-still (distiller) on top of the cheese fridge, opposite the gold leaf display in the store.

Lion’s Liquor | 13 Fitzgerald Street, Northbridge
My mother only goes to this place because she’s embarrassed to buy er guo tou from her sister’s shop. You should visit Lion’s, even if it’s just to purchase a bottle of er guo tou, one of China’s most popular liquors but an obscurity in Perth. Over several brands, EGT averages 55% alcohol per bottle, which can cost you from $7.50 to $30. It also tastes like what you expect a $7.50 half-litre of strong alcohol. No surprises.

Kakulas Brothers/Sisters | 183 William Street, Northbridge & 90 Hillsborough Drive, Nollamara | kakulasbros.com.au
If you don’t know about Kakulas, then you need to hit the ground running. Located in Northbridge, it is a hub of commerce day-in, day-out. If you need obscure European and Middle Eastern ingredients, this should be your first port of call. My mother knows loves Kakulas Brothers, but it does get pretty crowded, so she ops for the Sisters located in Nollamara. It’s quieter there.

City Provisions | 870 Hay Street, Perth
My mother has always protested that there aren’t enough banh mi places in Perth. I agree with her, but luckily at City Provisions I can get my daily fix for lunch. They prepare the rolls fresh from about 11:00am – 1:30pm so make sure you get in early!

Petticoat Lane – 531 Hay Street, Subiaco
This is where my mum got her silverware back in the day; I also remember picking out a new lighter for my granddad here. This antique store has been in Subiaco for quite a while, they have a beautiful shelf of jasperware, collectables and also plenty of ceramics. Remember to be nice and always ask for a discount.

For more info on Basic Needs, please visit basicneedseatery.tumblr.com

The shop is the brainchild of Sian Hanrahan – a lover of baking, antique furniture and homemade knickknacks, three passions well represented at the four-week-old Sidney LOVES Audrey. The shop is filled with quirky, handmade objects sourced from local artists or online (yes, Sian’s a huge fan of Etsy!), basically things you can’t find at other shops around Perth like unique jewellery, pillows, children’s toys, lampshades and artwork. The kind of stuff that gives a dash of personality to a room.

Amongst all of the prettiness are vintage sofas and armchairs, which gives the whole room the feeling that you’re in a lounge room and not a shop. Visitors sit chatting over coffee, interrupted only by the lovely ding of the oven, followed by a warm waft of some freshly-baked treat.

Which, lets face it, is the real drawcard of Sidney LOVES Audrey. Sian makes everything from scratch. On the day we visited, there were platters of brownies, cakes, biscuits and muffins. The smell was divine. The food has become so popular, in fact, that local professionals have begged Sian to make savoury lunchtime alternatives to the neighbourhood’s only other nearby food sources: a KFC and a servo station. Shudder!

Yes, things are dire in this corner of West Perth. Sidney LOVES Audrey couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

Address: 307 Fitzgerald Street, West Perth
Hours: 8:30am-4m Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat
Details: sidneylovesaudrey.com.au

Foam Coffee Bar | 130 Oxford St Leederville |  foamcoffeebar.com.au/
Picking up where the iconic Leederville cafe Oxford 130 left off, is newbie Foam Coffee Bar. But while the former café was shabby and run down, owner Nicholas Bond has given the café a sleek new look with a Scandinavian feel. Think pastel walls, deer head mounts (don’t worry, Hank the buck is ceramic) and blonde wood detailing on the light fixtures, cabinets and furniture. Hooray for progress.

Oldie but a goldie
Juicy Beetroot Cafe | Tum Tum Tree Lane 132 High St, Fremantle
When a vegetarian restaurant in an obscure laneway in Fremantle has a queue winding out the door at noon on a Tuesday, you know they must be on to something. You might not be too impressed by the Juicy Beetroot Café on first glance – none of the furniture matches, the crockery is chipped and the hand-written signs are all faded. What it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in taste.  This is vego food at its best and least pretentious.

Do & See 

The Wild West Comedy Festival | wildwestcomedy.com.au/
The Wild West Comedy Festival may have already started, but it doesn’t mean you’re too late to join in the laughter. The festival runs until 2 September in venues around town. This weekend, comedians like Joel Ozborn and Gavin Baskerville will be taking to the stage, as well as Perth comedy trio Ciaran Lyons, Graham Goodall-Smith and Dallas C. Hill Jr whose show “Two Blokes and a Bro” is definitely worth checking out at Rosie O’Grady’s.

Out of town

CinefestOz | cinefestoz.com/
This weekend, Busselton is hosting CinefestOz, a film festival celebrating the French influences on our southwest corner of the state. Can’t imagine a trip south that doesn’t include a gourmet meal? Check out the Director’s Lunch – a three-course meal at Aravina Estate, Yallingup and the chance to rub elbows with the creatives behind the films.

Or rather, a “cheese café”, and the very first one in the Swan Valley. Sitting on the grounds Olive Farm Wines (established in 1829), and overlooking the Susanna Brook is the Cheese Barrel, a place to happily wile away a Sunday afternoon and ignore the approach of Monday.

The Cheese Barrel imports its cheese from around Europe and Australia, all of which is displayed in a specially made glass case in the centre of the cafe.

The menu has a selection of four Regional Tasting Boards that comprise various cheeses from France, Italy, Spain or Australia, along with slices of fresh baguette, muscatels and crackers. Our pick is the French one that includes Labuche d’Affinois, Marcel Petite Comté, Rouzaire Camembert and Papillion Black Label Roquefort. Washed down with a bottle of the delicious Olivine Methode Champenoise sparkling and it’s the perfect decadent afternoon snack.

While you’re there, check out the classroom where students learn the art of making mozzarella, haloumi, camembert, mascarpone, feta and yogurt.

For those poor souls who don’t eat cheese, there are pastries, baguettes, tarts, macarons and milkshakes.

Take that, Margs.

Address: 920 Great Northern Highway, Millendon
Hours: Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Details: thecheesebarrel.com.au/

We’re remembering:

- Lolly Bags at birthday parties
- Mums packed lunch boxes with a treat or two
- The sounds of the local ice-cream truck

Let us reminisce for a moment; how good was it when mum used to pack lunch and throw in a surprise? There was the Milky Way, the Wagon Wheel and even the odd Mars Bar slice freshly made the night before.

Well those days are back, announcing AgendaCity’s latest dose of epicurean goodness, uTaste.com.au.

uTaste is a decadent subscription for $29 per month. It’s quite simply a delicious collection of gourmet treats in one box. Instead of just talking about the food we’ve decided to deliver it to you direct. Each month we select the most amazing treats we can find, box them up and ship them to you direct.

We like to call it a tasty box of decadence. Would you like one?

Think chocolate pops, artisan olive oils, bags of chocolate covered coffee beans, macarons, fudge, teas, compote, cider, drinking fondue and organic olive and lime salt. Just a teaser.

All our partners are the best of the best and we can’t wait to reveal them to you.

And yes, you can even Gift them.  The perfect gift for a gourmand, partner or devoted employee.

How does it work?

1.      Jump onto uTaste.com.au
2.      Either Gift or Subscribe via Paypal ($29 plus shipping)
3.      Await your uTaste Box
4.      Open and SURPRISE
5.      Eat!

Over to you now – uTaste.com.au

First 100 buyers only!

Honey Strings | Fremantle Markets | Corner South Terrace & Henderson Street,  Fremantle | fremantlemarkets.com.au
Have you visited the Fremantle Markets lately? You should. Even if just to visit Honey Strings. Watch as the stall boys demonstrate this Korean candy by taking a single hunk of honey and within a minute stretching it out into 16,000 miniscule strings, which are then cut and rolled with peanuts or almonds. As entertaining as it is delicious.

Oldie but a goldie 

Frasers | Fraser Avenue West Perth, Kings Park | Australia | frasersrestaurant.com.au/
Frasers is the place for celebrations and impressing dates. But now it’s also for long, languid lunches. The weekly Sunday Lunch is a 3 or 5 course degustation meal showcasing the best of the Frasers menu. When you go, make sure to spend a good hour walking through Kings Park. No, not just for a peek at the newly blooming flowers. To (attempt) to walk off the meal!

Do & See

Whiskey Masterclass | The Wines Store | 48 George St East Fremantle | thewinestore.com.au/
Cold nights call for one thing: whiskey. If your whiskey knowledge doesn’t extend beyond Jameson’s and Jack Daniels, it’s time to consider attending the Whiskey Masterclass on 21 August at The Wine Store in East Fremantle. The two and a half hour class will get you a handful of tastings and nibbles for $40 per person.

Out of town

Gourmet Escape in Margaret River |gourmetescape.com.au/  
Tickets went on sale yesterday for the upcoming Gourmet Escape in Margaret River. If celebrity chef sitings are your thing, then check out this line up: Heston Blumenthal, Peter Gilmore, Niel Perry and Tetsuya Wakuda. You could even pay a cool $500 and go to the exclusive dinner cooked by the three of them, held at Voyager Estate. Just don’t expect autographs.

1. Choux Café, Swanbourne | chouxcafe.com.au
Swanbourne’s Choux Café is about as French as they come. There are fresh baguettes, beef bourguignon pies, quiches and pissaladieres. But most customers come for Celebrity chef Emmanuel Mollois’ specialty – and in Lisa’s opinion – “The most delicious macarons ever.”

2. Sherbet Cake and Bake Shop, Maylands | sherbetbakeshop.com.au
Whatley Crescent’s beloved bakery is worth the trip across town for this East Freo local. “I love the homestyle feel and their scrumptious cakes are so moreish,” Lisa swoons.

3. Sugar and Spice Patisserie, Joondalup
There are some bakeries that will make your mouth water at just the thought them. Sugar and Spice Patisserie does it for us. According to Lisa? “Everything they do is divine!” We wholeheartedly agree.

4. Littlesweet Baking, Fremantle | littlesweetbaking.com.au
“Show stoppers” is how Lisa describes the cakes at Little Sweet Baking. Chalk it up to the fact that they’re made from scratch, at home and in small batches. Sounds a lot like how Cookie Dough Biscuits run their show!

5. Kustom Cupcakes, Lathlain | kustomcupcakes.com.au
“I love the amazing sweet aroma in their bakery and they always have interesting flavour combinations,” says Lisa of Kustom Cupcakes, whose best-sellers include Banana Split, Musk and Cherry Ripe. There’s even a Cookie Dough cupcake. Hmmm… we foresee a cupcake-flavoured cookie in Lisa’s future. We’ll take all the credit, thanks!

Where: Coming soon to George Street, East Fremantle
Details: cookiedoughbiscuits.com.au

And small it is at just 90 square metres and with space for just 60 people. Once a 1920s shop, bar managers Zoe Roy and Meredith Bastian spent two years converting the Whatley Crescent address into a bar, doing their best to retain its heritage and giving it an old-world, art deco feel. Everything was considered, from the art hanging on the walls to the vintage light fixtures and even the booths, salvaged from a train carriage and a nod to the station opposite.

Perhaps most charming is the intimate courtyard out the back with its periwinkle walls dotted and hanging potted plants. Not a bad spot to sip a cocktail and taste the various French-influenced dishes on the bar menu such as Corned Beef Croquettes, Artichoke and Cheese Gratin or Confit Ocean Trout.

Yes, Swallow was definitely worth the wait.

Where: 198 Whatley Crescent, Maylands
Open: 4pm-late 7 days
Details: swallowbar.com.au/

The Kiosk is the baby of Justin Peters, owner of the ever-popular West End Deli in West Perth. The café has been open only a couple of months, but word has been quickly spreading that yes, it is possible to find a good coffee and meal in Maylands outside of Whatley Crescent.

The Kiosk’s menu might not be extensive, but it’s one that reveals Justin’s dedication to quality. Sweet options include toasted muesli with vanilla honey yoghurt and berry compote, or homemade crumpets with lemon thyme honey. There’s also croque madame or a steak and mushroom pie for the savoury lovers. Even more impressive is the array of baguettes, biscuits, meringues and cakes that are all made in-house, and fantastic with a cup of Vittoria coffee.

It turns out WA’s very own Wade Drummond, fresh from his stint on Masterchef, is now working in the Kiosk kitchen. If only we had known that when we visited – we would have asked him just HOW he managed to impress the formidable chef Marco Pierre White. Whatever it is, the trick seemed to have worked on Justin as well.

Where: 28 Eighth Ave, Maylands
Hours: 8am-3pm Mon-Sun
Details: westenddeli.net.au/

Peking duck pancakes
Silver service precedes this starter, which is rolled out on a trolley complete with waiter to assemble the pancakes before your very eyes. Wafer crisp pieces of duck skin are wrapped with a contemporary salad of shredded carrot, spring onions and cucumber. Absolutely delicious and since it’s got salad, not a bit sinful…

King prawns coated with salted egg yolk
King prawns are deep fried in a batter that takes on the best qualities of the crushed, salted egg yolks. The addition of this odd ingredient results in a golden, velvety crisp coating which, remarkably, is not salty at all. These incredibly rich and more-ish prawns will put your local chippy’s to shame. Feeling adventurous? Try the eel in salted egg yolk…

Black pepper beef and scallops in pastry
It sounds like a normal black pepper stir fry but here’s the kicker: it comes in a bowl of thin pastry! Apart from looking gorgeous, the fun is in cracking the bowl and eating the shards of pastry with the tender beef and sweet scallops.

Where: 130 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000
Hours: Lunch Mon – Fri 11.30am – 2.30pm; Dinner 7 days 5pm – 10pm
Details: canton-bay.com/

This is the experience that Cocha and co-owner Gianfranco Monti must have had in mind when opening their new Northbridge restaurant El Compa. The 60-seat restaurant is refreshingly unpretentious: weathered plastic tables and chairs are laid with cheerfully checked tablecloths, the food and drinks are served in rustic earthenware crockery and the décor comprises little more than a multi-hued map on one wall and a few star-shaped lanterns hanging above the bar.

This in itself is marked difference from the throng of trendy Mexican restaurants that have popped up in Perth in recent months, but the biggest differentiator of El Compa is the fact that this Mexican restaurant is run by actual Mexicans. So what you’ll eat is the authentic stuff.

A great start to a meal is a few botanas – dips like guacamole, pico de gallo and the delicious frijoles charros (slow cooked black beans with chorizo) served with tortilla chips. Follow it up by the quesadillas or tacos. We loved the pescado (grilled fish) and nopales (soft cactus). It’s honest, tasty food that goes great with a margarita… or two.

While you’re there, take a gander at the monster crouching in the back corner: an industrial-sized tortilla-making contraption shipped in from Mexico that – once put into production – will be capable of producing two thousand tortillas per hour.

The question is not whether Perth’s tortilla market is large enough to support that many tortillas, but instead: when are they plugging it in?!

Where: 78 Lake Street, Northbridge
Hours: Tue-Thu 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat, 6pm-2am
Details: facebook.com/CaseMexicanaElCompa

Just 35 minutes drive from the city and you’ll feel like you’ve dropped into the orchards of northern Italy. Depending on the season, Core’s Highvale orchard can be ripple of greens, golds and reds. During harvest the trees are overburdened with fruit, mostly with apples grown for Core’s cider.

The orchard’s apples and pears make distinctly sweet ciders with a light perfume that’s easy drinking. Core’s sparkling apple cider made from pink lady and granny smith apples is a winner – it’s remarkably clear, crisp and bubbly. For serious cider drinkers, try the traditional ‘Hard Core’ super dry cider. All of the cider is processed on site, so when the fruit is picked, it travels mere metres to be fermented and bottled into the final product. You too can also taste the cider meters from where it was grown, straight from the tap in Core Cider’s shop and cafe.

The cafe also serves light lunches on the deck, which has a stunning view of the trees below and the state forest beyond. Lunch platters of pork and cider pies, chorizo, orchard fruit and house preserves are popular, especially with a glass of cider. The cafe counter has a delectable array of sweet things. Our pick is the moist apple and almond tart – made with orchard fruit, of course.

Where: 35 Merrivale Road, Pickering Brook WA 6076
Hours: Fri – Sun & Public Holidays 10am – 5pm
Details: corecider.com.au

Dinner Twist plans your meals, does the shopping, and delivers all of the fresh ingredients to your door so you can cook it from home when you like. Recipes use fresh, seasonal produce that – when possible – is sourced locally. A typical week’s menu might include beef curry, lemon chicken pasta, pan-fried fish, pumpkin soup and parsley stuffed pork fillet.

Since the meals are designed around your household size, there’s less waste.  There’s a whole lot less guilt too – you’re still cooking healthy, wholesome homemade meals rather than tempting-yet-unhealthy take-away meals. You’re just avoiding the nightly what-do-I-cook drama and spending time with your loved ones at home instead of the angst-ridden supermarket.

The only thing left to worry about is not burning the darn thing. Now if only the weekly delivery would include an egg timer…

Details: dinnertwist.com.au/

]]> http://www.agendacity.com/perth/guide/restaurants/dinner-twist-perth/feed/ 0 http://www.agendacity.com/perth/guide/restaurants/residential-cafes-perth/ http://www.agendacity.com/perth/guide/restaurants/residential-cafes-perth/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 02:30:58 +0000 admin http://www.agendacity.com/perth/?p=3173 We’ve already told you about some of Perth’s newest residential cafés, like Piccolo's Corner and The Cool Room, so here’s a list of… Read more about Residential cafes

It may be small on space, but it’s big on taste – perhaps just not the traditional Japanese flavours you’d expect. Litl x Litl is all about mixing the old with the new, and Chef and owner Adam McMahon has given his Japanese food a little Aussie inventiveness.

The sushi, for example, comes in a whole range of colours depending on which rice you’re after. Besides traditional white rice, there’s brown rice (for the GI-conscious), and rice infused with things like beetroot, carrot and ginger. We’re pretty sure no Tokyoite has ever tasted a beetroot rice, prawn, cucumber and coriander mayo sushi roll before. We reckon they’d probably laugh at it… and then love it.

The salads have gotten the Japanese-Australian fusion treatment as well. The wackiest of them all is the marinated seaweed, beetroot, Persian feta. It’s sweet, salty and slippery. And delicious.

But who’d order anything cold when it’s so frigid out? Litl x Litl’s hot food includes Japanese fish curry, pork belly in broth, tofu and edamame and miso soup with brown rice, black lentils and prawns topped with lemon yogurt.

There’s a lot to love about this little place.

Where: 123b Claremont Crescent, Swanbourne
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am – 4:30pm
Details: litlxlitl.com.au/index.htm

We reckon we’ve found the home of Perth’s best dessert-as-breakfast: South Perth’s Gusto Food Café. Gusto isn’t just another café on Angelo Street (although… geesh, how many cafés down one neighbourhood need?!). Yes, they serve a great cup of Saccaria coffee and have a pretty impressive selection of savoury breakfast and lunch options. But it’s Gusto’s sweets that are responsible for it being the street’s hands-down favourite.

Our dish of choice is the Crumpets, which are made in-house and served with berry compote, peanut gravel and double cream for good measure. But coming a close second is the Cinnamon Toast – a stack of thickly sliced French toast layered with berries, honeycomb, banana and bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Oh, and it comes with ice cream on the side, naturally.

For those who like to see/drool over their breakfast before ordering it, the glass case below the register has a gorgeous collection of homemade brownies, biscuits, slices, muffins, donuts, pies, cakes and churros.

Even the nutritionists say to eat like a king at breakfast. Though this might not have been exactly what they had in mind…

Where: 86 Angelo Street, South Perth
Hours: Tue-Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 7am-2pm
Details: facebook.com/pages/Gusto-Food-Cafe

For the last 5 years and way before the current Mexican trend, the Flying Taco has been dishing up seriously good Mexican fare. The secret to their staying power? Anna, a California girl who runs her restaurant by a couple of simple rules: follow authentic Mexican recipes using fresh produce and imported spices, make the chips, tortillas and sauces in-house, and do it all for the right reasons. That is, to contribute to – and enjoy – the bustling Angove Street community.

As a result, the Flying Taco feels more like a friend’s house than a restaurant. Anna knows most everyone by name, local kids pop their heads in the doorway for a chat and the cooks trade tales from last weekend’s revelry while stuffing burritos.

The taco hiatus – though painful – has resulted in a roomier and groovier place, bringing the restaurant out of the 80′s (goodbye red walls!) and into the current decade. Inside, maps of the Yucatan, mounted sheep horns and rosaries hang above the newly installed benchtops and the tables outside have multiplied for diners to enjoy the Angove Street action.

Mercifully, the menu’s not changing a lick. You’ll find the same cheesy quesadillas, tender carne asada burritos and homemade chips and guac as before the refurb. Some things simply cannot be improved upon.

Where: 40 Angove Street, North Perth
Hours: Wed-Sun noon-late
Details: http://www.flyingtaco.com.au/

Talking about breakfast, head to the Rotary stall for a bacon and egg burger and support a good cause at the same time. If a Francophile breakfast is more your style, Wholey Crepe’s organic, gluten free buckwheat crepes filled with anything from bananas to vegemite, will hit the spot.

There’s plenty of seasonal produce to choose from and true to the farmers’ market philosophy, most of the produce is sourced locally and the person you’re buying it from either grew it or knows the person who did. Apples and pears at the Marchetti & Sons stall come from Roleystone, strawberries are picked from Landsdale’s market gardens and Colmena’s untreated Jarrah honey is gathered from the south west’s forests.

Flowers are always a good buy at markets. “I grow the gerberas in Roleystone” says flower stall owner Roland, who supplements his bouquets with locally grown sunflowers and lilies.

If you’re looking to spice up the weeknight dinner make a beeline El Asador Argentinean sauces and rubs. Try their morcilla blood sausage (more delicious than it sounds!) for something a little bit different.

Just by waking up a little earlier, you can support a good cause, support local growers, get a hot breakfast and bop to some live entertainment, plus fill the fridge. Not bad for a Sunday morning!

Where: City of Stirling Civic Centre car park, Cedric Street, Stirling WA 6021
Hours: Open every Sunday 8am – 11.30am
Details: facebook.com/Stirling.Farmers.Market

The epicurean force behind the pop-up is Bobby the Baker, a 21-year-old best known for his famous “cakiepops” (cake on a stick – genius!), multi-coloured cupcakes and other sweet treats he’s sold at markets and festivals around Perth.

But you’ll find more than sweetness at Basic Needs. Bobby has ventured into the realm of the savoury, offering dishes like Crispy Bocconcini with marinara, Baked Potato Skins with Beef Hash and Prosciutto-Bundled Chicken with Potted Stilton in a Bap. In other words, warming food that goes great with a beer and live music, both of which are in steady supply at the Bird.

Bobby describes the Basic Needs menu as everyday food with a twist. “It’s basic foods which are reconstructed, using local produce and select obscurities,” Bobby says. “There is an element of surrealism that touches several of the menu items.”

In no dish is this more evident than in the Peanut-Butter Whip with Purple Stuff, which is essentially peanut butter cups with grape soda pearls that have the look and texture of caviar. For a measly $3, we’re pretty sure this dessert will have you singing the praises of pop-ups.

Where: The Bird, 181 William Street, Northbridge
Hours: Thursdays in July and August, 5pm – late
Details: facebook.com/bobbythebaker

There’s a formidable range of cheese from magnificent blues like Roquefort and stilton to oozy camembert and d’affinois that are cut to order from the wheel. Nearby hang cured meats, like old fashioned fritz, smoked wagyu beef and beautiful free range hams. Prosciutto begs to be stuffed into Smoult’s freshly baked baguettes, or perhaps, paired with a slab of farmhouse pate on your next charcuterie plate.

Picnic basket anyone? Smoult’s does those too. However for the time poor and peckish, there are baked lasagnes, gourmet pizzas and roast turkey are all made in house and ready to go.

Once you peel yourself away from the deli display, explore the wall dedicated solely to condiments. In this maze of shelving, there is passata from Italy, French pistachio oil and syrupy balsamic vinegars. Just when you think you’ve covered the realm of continental good food, there’s Valrhona chocolate as a tempting, sweet treat.

Hop into the deli on Sundays and they’ll be whipping up gourmet hot dogs from 11am. Wagyu beef, duck and veal Barossa sausages come fully loaded with onions, sauerkraut and relish.

This winter, Smoult’s are stocking Stonebarn truffles from the state’s south west (fungi connoisseurs get them while you can!). A welcome addition to the revamped Maylands precinct, a visit to Smoult’s could to see you eating your way around the world with minimum effort. Sounds like the perfect foodie weekend to me.

Where: 186 Whatley Crescent, Maylands WA 6051
Hours: Tue & Wed 8am – 6pm | Thu & Fri 8am – 7pm | Sat 8am – 5pm | Sun 10am – 4pm
Details: facebook.com/SmoultsContinentalDeli

It’s all thanks to Hwa Ro’s winning combination of nifty tabletop cooking stations (complete with charcoal barbecue, automatic skewer rotator, soup burner and smoke-gulping ventilation chimneys – the only set-up of its kind in Perth), killer kimchi and a constant stream of K Pop music videos. Oh, and a team of Korean wait staff who not only tell you when your meat needs flipping, but also seem genuinely happy to bring you your third complementary dish of sweet potato noodles.

First timers might feel a bit lost with the menu. It’s long, and has some curious menu items. “Pork shoulder butt”, anyone? Newbies are often told to try Hwa Ro’s signature dishes like the kkochi – skewers of duck, pork belly, chicken thigh or seafood that you watch rotate over the charcoals. Entertaining and delicious…. as long as you don’t let them overcook. Then there are the barbecue dishes that aren’t to be missed. You choose your favourite marinated meat, be it wagyu beef, pork belly with skin or chicken, and along with it are various banchan side dishes like radish kimchi, pickled vegetables and radish “tortillas”, as well as hot sauces and rice.

However, dining at Hwa Ro is not without risks. There’s the real chance you’ll become a K Pop fan. You’ve been warned.

Where: 118 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
Hours: Wed-Mon 5pm-late
Phone: (08) 9228 8823

Superstar Waffles gets it. The husband and wife team who own the little darling opened it a month ago to coincide with the start of winter. What began as a dream of opening a coffee shop, morphed into something much more inspired. Where else in Perth can you find freshly made waffles topped with yumminess like peanut butter mousse, berries, chocolate sauce, ice cream, marshmallows or nuts?

Our favourite is the Banoffee Waffle – a fluffy waffle sitting on a bed of warm toffee, topped with slices of banana, fresh cream and biscuit crumbles. For smaller appetites – or the perfect arvo pick-me-up – there are three types of waffle sticks. These are long rectangular waffles on skewers, drizzled with chocolate, sweet condensed milk or classic maple syrup.

To wash it down, Superstar Waffles serves Bean to Heaven coffee, a range of T2 teas, old school milkshakes and hot drinks you won’t find anywhere else like the Taro Latte, Caramel Macchiato and Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte.

Who knows, if business continues to buzz, Superstar Waffles may even join in on the latest food craze in the States: waffles with fried chicken. Now, that’s something to try before your health kick in spring!

Where: 8/189 William Street, Northbridge
Hours: Tue-Thu noon-9pm, Fri-Sun noon-10pm
Details: facebook.com/superstarwaffles

Despite its hidden location, true to its name, the neighbourhood has embraced this pizza joint. It’s a dimly lit, canteen style affair – complete with self service paper plates – done with a dash of style. Old toys are hung from the ceiling, cacti make a regular appearance and there’s a scarlet red pool table to keep the punters occupied.

Neighbourhood Pizza’s menu is short and simple, featuring 12 seasonally influenced pizzas. The pizzas are cooked in a steel covered behemoth of an oven. Licked with wood fired flame, each pizza is cooked to a bubbly crisp before being delivered piping hot to the table.

A thin crust lover’s dream, the pizza is pliable, crusty and the toppings incredibly more-ish. We recommend the sublime double potato, maple syrup and rosemary pizza, which sounds like a strange flavour combination but was just amazing. The spicy white anchovy with chilli and capers pizza punched above its weight in heat, cooled by milky, melted blobs of bocconcini.

Fabulous pizza aside, what sets Neighbourhood Pizza apart is its family friendly atmosphere. A butcher’s roll of paper, crayons, low seating and BYO sees the place full of families and hipsters alike. Everyone leaves happy.

Where: Off the IGA carpark, 173 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mt Hawthorn
Hours: Wed – Sun 5pm – 10pm
Details: https://twitter.com/neighbhoodpizza

Manjimup’s black truffle season has just begun, so it’s little wonder black truffle degustation menus have been popping up around town. Here are some of the standouts:

1907
Chef Alan Desouza has created a four-course degustation menu that is full of rich, earthy flavours that complement the hero of the night: the truffle. The meal includes a Honey Goat Cheese Pannacotta, Pig’s Trotters with Truffle and Sweetbread, Beef Wellington with Truffle Buttered Baby Vegetables and a dessert of Truffled Tapioca with Fig French Toast. For a little extra, you can have each course paired with wine and partake in 1907’s infamous cheese trolley. You go to 1907 to indulge, so why hold back?
http://www.1907.com.au/

Nobu
Burswood restaurant Nobu is one of the world’s most recognised Japanese restaurants with locations in 21 cities around the world. To celebrate black truffle season, Chef de Cuisine Nicolas Mazier has created a one-of-a-kind omakase menu (that’s Japanese for degustation). Dishes include Seared Trout Dry Miso, Artichokes and Black Truffles, Pan Seared Scallops and Black Truffle Snow and Wagyu Steak with Yuzu Black Truffle Teriyaki.

noburestaurants.com/perth

Modo Mio
Truffles have always played an important role in Italian cuisine, so it wasn’t too much of a stretch for Modo Mio’s Head Chef Giampaolo Maffini to create a collection of authentic Italian dishes that champion the ingredient. Homemade Tagliatelle with Black Truffle and Pan-fried Veal Medallion with Brown Butter and Sage, Quail Egg, Grilled Polenta and Sautéed Spinach and Black Truffle are just a few.
burswood.com.au/Restaurants/Premium/Modo-Mio

Where: Various locations around Perth
When: now until Aug/Sept

The Wine Store’s next project? A monthly long table dinner. The Chefs Cellar Feast kicks off today and will be held on the first Wednesday of every month. It’s a long table dinner that invites a maximum of 16 guests to dine in the beautiful, dimly lit cellar beneath the Wine Bar. It’s social, communal dining at its most intimate.

The Wine Bar chefs Jay Taylor and Matthew Carulei create a unique multi-course degustation menu that departs from the Wine Store menu. In other words, it’s a chance for the chefs to mix things up, flex their culinary muscles and have a little fun. Once the menu is finalised, the oenophiles in the Wine Store select the best wine to match each course.

On the trial night in May, guests enjoyed oysters, scallops, soup and pork served with an Argentine Blanc de Blancs, French Vouvray, Geelong Chardonnay and Mornington Pinot.

One thing’s for sure: you’ll be aching for a wine cellar of your own by the end of the meal.

Where: The Wine Store, 48 George St East Fremantle
Hours: 4 July at 7:15
Price: $100
Details: thewinestore.com.au

For the cheese lovers of Perth, we have some pretty epic news. 1907, one of Perth’s most stylish and gourmet restaurants, is offering Cheese and Wine Tasting evenings.

The evening begins with champagne and canapés from Head Chef Alan Desouza, like his moreish arancini or smoked salmon and micro herbs on crisp bread. Then comes the main event – a collection of fine cheeses arranged from lighter styles to more robust. The tasting might start with a delicate French Buche D’Affinois before moving to a buttery Manchego sheep’s cheese from Spain to a sharp cheddar from Scotland before finishing a flavour-packed punch of Roquefort blue. Is your mouth watering yet? It will do when you taste the incomparable Delice de Bourgogne. The heavens sing.

Without the expertly paired wines accompanying all that cheesy deliciousness, it might be too overwhelming for both palate and mind.

Restaurant Manager Harold Faizal – a passionate wine and cheese connoisseur – has created much more to smile about than a fine-tuned menu: a one-of-a-kind cheese trolley.

This flashy little darling was specially designed for 1907 and shipped in from London. It’s decked out in black marble, LED lighting and state-of-the-art temperature control. It brings the sexy back to cheese.

So whether your feelings for cheese qualify as obsessive or merely appreciative, the 1907 Cheese and Wine Tastings are a must.

Where: 26 Queen Street, Perth
Hours: The first Thursday of every month
Price: $40
Details: 1907.com.au

Affectionately known as Chimba’s, Cimbalino is a locally owned espresso bar beloved for coffee that’s quick and consistently delicious. The Cottesloe shop on Napolean Street is the haunt of lycra-covered cycling gangs whose bikes are forever stacked outside, the CBD shop has earned the loyalty of hoards of suits and ties and at the Dalkeith café, local lunching ladies keep the baristas busy.

Cimbalino’s newest café is in the Mews Shopping Centre in Cottesloe. Like the other locations, the café has chic neighbours (Lulemon is next door), fresh squeezed juices, a glass case crammed with homemade cakes, biscuits, wraps and muffins and a full menu of breakfast faves like Eggs Benedict – a Chimba specialty – Huevos Rancheros with
Chorizo and Swiss Bircher Muesli.

But most importantly, the coffee is fantastic. Now if only they made sachets of Instant Chimba Coffee for emergencies…

Where: Mews Shopping Centre, 36 Eric Street, Cottesloe
Hours: 6:30am-2:30pm
Website: cimbalino.com.au

Squeezed under the gothic arches of the Town Hall will be a mix of vendors jostling for you and your appetite’s attention. From Spain comes paella and pintxos from Subiaco favourite La Latina, the folks at Bocelli’s will be barbecuing German bratwurst, and Moroccan Journey will be serving up shuk shuka, an Arabic comfort food made with eggs, garlic and tomatoes.

For dessert, there’s The Hungry Crepe whose fare caused kilometre-long queues during summer’s Twilight Hawkers Markets. And for the donut lovers, Braza Churros will be serving the Spanish favourite with a decidedly Brazilian spin.

While you chow down, some of the Winter Arts Season’s best acts will be performing. Harry Mitchell, from The Harrison Mitchell Trio, has been playing since the age of 13 in China and around Perth will be performing some jazz numbers and the UWA Guitar Ensemble will also be performing works from their upcoming Portraits in Guitar event.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a wintery Friday night.

Where: Perth Town Hall
Hours: 29 June, 27 July, 31 Aug, 5-8pm
Price: free
Details: showmeperth.com.au

Stephen Scourfield is a born storyteller. An award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, Scourfield won the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for fiction in 2007 and was declared Australia’s Best Travel Writer in 2009 and 2011 by the National Travel Industry Awards. He is also a recipient of a United Nations Media Award, and is currently the Travel Editor of The West Australian.

The Luthier is one of the three novellas from Stephen’s most recent book, Unaccountable Hours. The story is about Australian instrument maker Alton Freeman, a man who devotes his life to crafting a violin capable of reproducing the seemingly inimitable sound of Bach’s Partitas and Sonatas as played by his idol, musician Monica Erica Grenbaum.

Imagine listening to the UWA School of Music play the same music described in the book, all while eating a gorgeous meal in the beautiful University Club Restaurant.

Surely, this is storytelling at its most delicious.

Where: 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley
Hours: Wed 4 July, 7pm
Price: $99
Details: perthwinterarts.com.au

Salsa Pasta Bar in South Fremantle sure thinks so. The eight-month-old restaurant was the life-long dream of owner Danny Gherardi, who wanted to share the fresh and delicious food he grew up eating, in both Australia and Italy, with the public. But he wasn’t alone; the entire Gherardi family takes part in the business. Nonna makes the desserts, some cousins make the gelato, and younger family members serve tables and man the register.

Everything is fresh and handmade on the premises. In fact, you can watch your pasta being made with the giant pasta-making contraption in the front window that cranks out spaghetti, linguine, rigatoni, penne, pappardelle, fettuccine and fusilli. Then there are the sauces – made with top-secret family recipes, no doubt – like boscaiola, carbonara, arrabbiata, calabrese and puttanesca.

Salsa Pasta Bar also make classics like lasagne, beef-filled ravioli, cannelloni and gnocchi as well as non-pasta dishes like chicken parmigiana, cotolette gamberi and salads.

If that doesn’t give you 300 reasons to love Salsa’s Pasta Bar, then here’s another: they don’t charge a corkage fee. Love!

Where: Unit 1, 47 Duoro Road, South Fremantle
Hours: Mon-Sat lunch, Thu-Sat dinner
Details: salsapastabar.com.au

But not all degustations are so hoity toity. Take The Aviary’s Matilda Bay Beer Dinner. It’s a six-course degustation meal pairing Executive Chef Telina Menzies’s best dishes with beer from Matilda Bay Brewery. It’s all of the flavour and adventure of a degustation without any of the elitism.

Matilda Bay Brewery was established in1984 in North Fremantle, selling small batches at the Sail & Anchor in Fremantle. It may now be based out of Melbourne, but it’s as popular as ever.

The Aviary’s degustation menu is out to prove it – one course at a time. First up is a seafood dish served with the Redback Original, a Hefeweizen-style beer that’s been around for almost 30 years. It’s that good.

The next four rounds match courses poultry, pork, lamb and beef with the Fat Yak (American Pale Ale), Bohemian Pilsner (Czech Pilsner), Alpha Pale Ale (an even stronger American Pale Ale) and Big Helga (Munich Lager).

If you can manage the last course, you’ll taste chef Menzies’s chocolate dessert, paired with the Dogbolter, a Munich-style darker lager that has a unique flavour of caramel, chocolate and toffee.

After a meal like this, we’re willing to bet you’ll never roll your eyes at the word “degustation” again.

Where: The Aviary, 140 Williams Street, Perth
Hours: Tue 26 June at 6pm
Price: $80
Details: www.theaviaryperth.com.au

The Theobroma franchise began in Melbourne in 2006, making what they call food “fit for the gods”. They must be doing something right – the chain has spread throughout Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

So what sets them apart from other high quality chocolate lounges like Koko Black, Max Brenner and Haigh’s? Like their competitors, Theobroma has a huge range of individual chocolates: milk, dark, white, coloured chocolates, chocolate liqueurs and truffles. But what differentiates Theobroma is the ambiance, created by an interior that is upscale and luxurious with huge windows open to the action of South Terrace. What could be better than people watching over a mug of hot chocolate?

That is, if you manage to take your eyes off the luscious Belgian-style hot chocolate. It’s Theobroma’s specialty for a reason. It comes in a large mug that sits neatly on a tealight-warmed stand, which is so ingenious you’ll wonder why every warm drink isn’t served this way.

Yes, chocoholics have it made in Fremantle. We wouldn’t be surprised if Little Creatures started making chocolate-flavoured beer next.

Where: Shop 5/26-36 South Terrace, Fremantle
Hours: Mon 9am-6pm, Tue-Sun 9am-10pm
Details:theobroma.com.au/lounges/fremantle/index.html

Self-described as a “funky, bohemian urban-hip café”, Blinco Street Café is full of surprises. The walls are covered in gig posters and framed paintings from the resident artists. The floor is paint-splattered and dotted with mismatched retro furniture. There are so many potted plants that the whole place feels more like a gardener’s greenhouse than a café.

The community has welcomed the Blinco Street Cafe with open arms, and it’s become somewhat of an institution in its quiet residential corner of Fremantle. We think it’s all thanks to the large, sun-filled balcony, a wonderfully relaxed place to read the paper, sip 5 Senses coffee and chat with friends over a casual yet delicious meal.

The café’s food is a varied and ever-changing mishmash of classics and funky fusion foods. Breakfast is fresh, free range Eggs Benny, chocolate and banana pancakes, Spanish omelettes and freshly made muffins and cakes. Lunch is always a surprise – but popular dishes include hoisin pork pancakes, nasi goreng, peri peri chicken wraps or potato bravas.

Twice a week, the café stays open for evenings of good food and live music. Wednesday night is Indian Curry Night and Friday is the popular Wood Fired Pizza Night.

Somehow, we don’t think there are any starving artists at the Fibonacci Centre.

Where: 19 Blinco Street, Fremantle
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-3pm, Wed and Fri 6-10pm
Details: facebook.com

Epic’s roster of master baristas has inspired the café to launch an espresso school. Three different workshops are held twice a week at Epic Espresso and lead by head trainer Gabriel Tan, who has years of elite level barista experience and extensive commercial practice. To ensure maximum participation for attendees, there are no more than eight students per workshop.

Espresso Mastery
This workshop is perfect for a newbie in the industry or a home enthusiast. This workshop teaches the foundational skills of espresso-based drink creation, espresso dosing, milk texturing, machine maintenance and the identification of ideal roast profiles.

Latte Art Skill Training
Building on the skills attained in the previous course, this workshop is for anyone interesting in raising their game up a notch. The session focuses on advanced skill training for achieving glossy, silky milk texture and mastering latte art like hearts, tulips and rosettas.

Advanced Espresso Mastery
This final advanced session takes baristas to a whole new level in their coffee preparation skills by encouraging advanced palate development. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to easily prepare any drink on the Epic Espresso coffee menu.

Just don’t expect your diploma from Epic Espresso School will get you a queue-cutting pass.

Where: 5/1297 Hay Street, West Perth
Hours: Course runs 3 ½ hours, Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings
Price: $190-200
Details: epicespresso.com.au/

More than just a great place to watch weekend life in Dunsborough go by, Artezen is also a fantastic place to eat.

It’s no greasy spoon – Artezen’s gourmet breakfasts are inventive, fresh and perfect after a morning swim in Geographe Bay. On our last visit we tried the Potato rosti with smoked salmon, poached egg, baby spinach, dill and crème fraiche. The contrasting texture of the crispy rosti and gooey egg was a hit. We also had a taste of the super-sweet Homemade banana bread with mascarpone and rhubarb compote. It’s the kind of breakfast you eat once a month; it’s worth every calorie-laden mouthful.

Stop by for lunch if you want to sample some of the region’s best produce. There’s the Artezen ceasar salad with Yallingup sourdough croutons, maple-roasted prosciutto topped with Margaret River free range boiled eggs, or the just-caught fresh fish of the day.

Thank you, Artezen, for giving us another reason to love the Southwest.

Where: 1/234 Naturaliste Terrace, Dunborough
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:30am-4pm
Details: artezen.com.au/

Two local foodies Carolanne Rushe and Jacqui Edwards started the Perth club, figuring it would be a great way of getting like-minded people together to share their ideas, recipes and experiences.

The girls decide on a venue – it may be someone’s house or a local café – and a few days before the event, let members know the theme. It could be anything from “under the sea” to “Italian decadence” to  (ahem!) “cake porn”. At the club’s inaugural event in April, the theme was “autumnal fruits”, so there were cakes made with apple, persimmon, fig, and pear.

The events are held every 4 – 6 weeks and everyone is welcome irrespective of age, gender or baking ability. Members will come bringing their own cake, and a takeaway container to bring home slices of others’ cakes that they didn’t have the chance to sample.

The only rule is that there’s no judging – on either the quality of the cake or the number of slices you have on your plate. Thank goodness!

Where: Various locations around Perth
Price: free
Details: clandestinecakeclub.co.uk/groups/perth-australia/

Get to know the café better and you’ll realise that rather than timid, Love Thy Neighbour is modest… and busy. Word has spread fast that the week-old café is worth befriending. The Toby’s Estate coffee is beautiful and the other drinks are more than delicious – they’re also refreshingly affordable. Juice for $4 and smoothies for $5? Thank you!

The food is pretty special too. The bagels – yes, you read that correctly! – come with ricotta and honey, salmon and dill and even as a BLT. The campfire favourite jaffles are filled with your choice of spaghetti and cheddar, creamed corn or ham, and cost a bargain $5. There are even Turkish pide topped with pumpkin, mozzarella and prosciutto or a trio of cheeses. For anyone unsure if jaffles and coffee really mix, there are also sweet treats by Rochelle Adonis like cupcakes, slices and biscuits.

If only all neighbours were so lovable.

Where: 7/189 William Street Northbridge
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5pm
Details: facebook.com/LTNespresso

Bobèche pays homage to a legendary clown from the 1800’s whose trademark was a horned hat covered in butterflies. Various murals of the performer cover the walls, and the butterflies adorn the entrance and menus. As tenuous as the connection between a 19^th century French clown and a 20^th century American bar in a 21^st century Australia may be, it all somehow works.

Thankfully, the drinks are a far cry from the moonshine served at speakeasies in the 20’s. There’s a large selection of Old World drinks on offer. If beer’s what you’re after, there’s German Hefe Weissbier and English brown ale, French cider and Czech pilsner. Apertifs include Lee Fee Absinthe, Chartreuse and Aperol. Then there are classic cocktails like the St Germain Frappe, White Cargo and Milk Punch.

We like the look of the “teapots”, which are essentially 4-serve jugs of cocktails. The Almagoozlum, for example, contains Bols Genever gin, Appleton 12YO Jamaican rum, Yellow Chartreuse, Cointreau, bitters and egg white. The four of you will fight over this one.

The “bites” menu includes fingerfoods like Rueben sandwiches, gruyere soufflés, cheese and charcuterie plates or fresh oysters.

This bar may not have the illicit charm of a prohibition speakeasy – but it more than makes up for it in originality.

Where: 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Hours: Mon-Sat 3-11:30pm
Details: theheritageperth.com.au

The menu is just as goofy as the décor. The pizzas have names like “Treasure Island”, “Capt Jack Sparrow” and “Annie Bonnie”. But all themed silliness aside, Il Pirata makes some fantastic pizza. Owner Gianni owned three successful restaurants in the heart of Florence before moving to Perth. He  opened his first restaurant – the original Il Pirata – four years ago in Doubleview, and it’s still currently running. But there’s more to the pizza than just the Italian influence: the dough and sauce are made on premises, the toppings are sourced daily and the pizzas are cooked in a wood fired oven.

Sadly, the servers don’t wear feathered tricorn hats or speak in a throaty pirate accents. I guess that’s where they drew the line. Shame, really.

Where: 136 West Coast Drive, Sorrento
Hours: Mon-Sun 4:30-10pm
Details: ilpiratacaffe.net/

Even if there weren’t a void to be filled, newbie Mama Tran is destined for success for the simple reason that it’s owned by the Tran family. That’s right – the same Trans who own the iconic Asian groceries in Northbridge, Leederville and Mt Lawley. In fact, the Trans’ Newcastle street warehouse alone receives 10 containers a month from overseas, making it one of Perth’s largest Asian food specialists.

Like the grocery stores, Mama Tran is a family affair. Grandma can be seen scooping noodles into bowls, aunts and uncles sweat in the kitchen and grandson Johnny – who’s in charge, by the looks of it – greets the bevy of lunchtime customers as if the business has been running for years, and you’ll think it has, judging from how the family work in the kitchen like a well oiled machine.

Mama Tran describes itself as “modern day hawker with wholesome food for people on the go”. And they live up to the promise. The food comes out fast and delicious. Besides the amazing pho, the menu contains other Vietnamese classics like rice paper rolls, Com Tam Suon (broken rice with grilled pork) and Banh Mi (baguettes stuffed with pork or chicken).

Is this the beginning of the Tran family’s take-over of Perth? As long as they keep feeding us this well, we will happily surrender. Behold, the power of pho.

Where: 36-40 Milligan Street, Perth
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm
Details: mamatran.com.au/

Whatever gives 1907 Cocktail Bar the edge, they certainly have it. But the bartenders aren’t keeping their cards to their chest. Instead, they hold monthly Cocktail Classes and divulge their cocktail-perfecting secrets. Are they crazy or generous? They’re both, we figure.

During the three-hour course, guests learn the basics of cocktail making as well as the steps for mastering three cocktails: a classic cocktail, a twisted classic and one of the contemporary cocktails on 1907’s award-winning list. The best part: after all the hard work of measuring, shaking and straining, you get to drink the cocktails you’ve made.

Mike, the bar manager at 1907, was our teacher for the class. Rather than dazzle us with bottle-flipping shenanigans à la Tom Cruise in Cocktail, Mike shared tips for how to turn an excellent cocktail into a perfect one. On the curriculum was the proper treatment of mint leaves in a mojito (the clap-and-squeeze technique makes all the difference), the recipe for perfect sugar syrup and recommendations for gin (1907’s faves come from New Zealand. Go figure!).  Of the three cocktails Mike demonstrated, the Black Passion Martini was our favourite. It’s a combination of vodka, lemon juice, passionfruit pulp and Crème de Mure in a chilled sugar-rimmed martini glass. Divine.

World Cocktail Week may be over (only 49 weeks till the next one!), but our love for cocktails is as strong as ever.

Where: 26 Queen Street, Perth
Hours: noon-3pm
Price: $60
Details: http://www.1907.com.au/

Like its neighbour The Trustee Bar and Bistro, the Heritage Brasserie is a heritage building-turned-fine dining establishment in Perth’s new City Square, but on an even larger scale (and budget, by the looks of things).

Paul and Lynn Wolkowinski, owners of Halo Restaurant, have fashioned the renovation of the three-storey Royal Insurance Building after the elegant cafés of Europe. Dramatic high ceilings, six-figure handmade pewter bartops from Paris and harlequin-patterned marble floors give the space a grand ballroom feel. The historical façade, however, has been left untouched.

Anyone who has eaten at Halo can attest for the Wolkowinskis’ exacting standards of quality in food and service. Classic European flavours dominate the Heritage’s a la carte menu, which is available from lunch through till 11pm. An open seafood display presents the fresh produce used in the Heritage’s signature platter Fruits of The Sea, but from the bustling kitchen also come steaks, soufflés, pasta and salads.

Nestled in the basement of the building is the 20′s style speakeasy bar Bobèche: a dark and intimate den serving old world cocktails, tap beer, fine wine and finger food.

Where: 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-midnight
Details: theheritageperth.com.au

But as of last July, East Perth got a specialty coffee shop of its own, thank you very much.

Bench Espresso is its name and coffee is the game it plays very, very well. First, they brew coffee with unique blends of 5 Senses coffee. In the grinder is the Milk Blend, a combination of Guatemalan, Colombian and Costa Rican beans and designed to give extra body and oomph to milky drinks. For the long black and espresso drinkers, the Espresso Blend in grinder two is used to produce a taste that Bench claim is “sparkling clean”, “silky” and tasting of “warm tropical fruit”. Um, we tried it and all we could taste was coffee… but oh my, was it delicious.

For the die-hard connoisseurs, Bench also serves single origin coffee as well as filtered coffee, available via Clever Coffee Dripper, Syphon or Pour over.

The sweet teeth haven’t gone ignored. There are heaps of freshly baked goodies like muffins, brownies, cakes and slices. And a to-die-for Belgian couverture hot chocolate. Some advice for first timers: order the citrus slice with pear, pistachios and dark chocolate. It’s almost worth taking a job in East Perth for.

Where: 471 Hay Street, Perth, WA
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm
Details: benchespresso.com.au/

At the helm of the project are siblings Scott and Angie Taylor. The success of their Mount Lawley restaurant Beaufort Street Merchants has inspired the duo to dream bigger. They’ve restored the building by polishing up the 6 metre art deco ceilings and herringbone parquetry, and adding a huge brass and glass wine vault. There’s also an impressive 17^th century ship figurehead perched above the bar.

Manning the kitchen is celebrity chef Ian Curley, best known from his Melbourne restaurant The European and appearances on Masterchef and Conviction Kitchen. Curley’s trademark is approachable and unpretentious peasant food. Dishes include coq au vin with garlic mash, pork cotoletta with braised witlof and a delectable truffled duck liver and smoked eel parfait with poached pears. The menu also contains a selection of local Angus beef, selected according to the ‘nose-to-tail’ ethos, encouraging a more comprehensive use of cow, including the cheek, flank, rump and fillet.

An avid oenophile, Scott has lovingly compiled a wine list of over 500 food-oriented wines from around the world, with a staggering 50 of them available by the glass (150ml pour) or “intro” (90ml pour).

We’re most excited about the fact the Trustee will soon be serving late-night supper – where else in Perth could you find a nose-to-tail pie at 11:30pm?

Where: 135 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-midnight, Sat 5pm-midnight
Details: thetrustee.com.au/

Boho Espresso is a hip little coffee shop in the heart of Scarborough – just steps away from the sand and within earshot of Scarborough’s famous surf. The place is decked out with potted plants, chairs made from converted skateboards and shabby-chic armchairs, rugs and lamps. An entire wall is adorned with a mural of a sunset on a tropical beach. A series of shelves hold the mini provedore of hot sauces, sugar cubes and grape juice. Yes, we get that they’re going for unconventional, but the décor is really all over the place.

But all’s forgiven upon tasting the coffee, which Boho makes using a special blend of Brazilian and Ethiopian beans from local roasters Ristretto. For the caffeine-averse there’s even an herbal coffee substitute from Dandy Blend.

Breakfast and lunch include classics like eggs Benedict and homemade pancakes, but there are also some off-the-beaten-track options like bagel sandwiches and pan-fried salt and pepper barramundi. But for a liquid meal, the ‘The Cocobee’ wins hands down. It’s an amazing coconut, honey and banana smoothie served in a baby coconut shell. It’s drinkable summer.

The only non-bohemian thing about Boho is the prices, which are as conventional as every other overpriced café in Perth. $8 for juice and $14 for a breakfast wrap is expensive in anyone’s book. We’re not sure how the beach bums and surfer dudes – the clientele Boho seems to be created especially for – can afford it.

Maybe they’re the ones playing the live music at Boho on the weekends. Hm, wonder how many Cocobees they pay per hour?

Where: Shop 5, 241 West Coast Hwy, Scarbourough
Hours: Daily, 6am-4pm
Details: facebook.com/pages/BOHO-Espresso

The café sits in the Northeastern corner of the heritage building, and right in the thick of the Perth Cultural Centre. Inside, there are cushy leather sofas, small tables and lots of open space for post-work mingling. On the walls hang artwork from the gallery that rotates every six weeks. Outside, multi-coloured metal chairs and tables cluster under umbrellas on the alfresco terrace overlooking James Street Mall.

Head Chef Brock Bethune has been practicing his art for years, having previously cooked at The Rocks Restaurant and Café in Victoria and George’s Meze in Subiaco. The all-day breakfast menu includes homemade treats like toasted muesli, pancakes, and for those who crave savoury in the early hours, there’s potato rosti, poached eggs and the Morning Breakfast with the works. We’re keenest on the tapas, which, despite being an overworked and overly expenive concept in Perth, are innovative and refreshingly affordable, costing between $9-18. Most salivation-inducing are the spiced swordfish cakes, seared scallops, grilled eggplant Parmigiana and skewered Torre lamb.

Art has never tasted so good.

Where: 51 James Street, Northbridge
Hours: Tue-Fri 7am-late, Sat-Sun 11am-late
Details: pica.org.au

That’s exactly what Cooking with Ali classes are like, thanks to Ali Sarhan. This Lebanese-born Freo local may not be a trained chef, but he more than makes up for it with a passion for food, or as he calls it, his “addiction to eating”.

Ali has owned seven restaurants in the last 17 years, including Dublin’s first Lebanese restaurant and the beloved Fremantle restaurant The Cedar Tree. He’s since turned his attention to teaching because he simply loves being around people, teaching them his tricks of the trade (“The French call it julienne. I call it small pieces.”) and sharing stories about the way the traditional dishes are prepared and enjoyed back in his home country.

His current series focuses on Middle Eastern tapas, or mezze. Ali shares his recipes and techniques for whipping up dips like hummus, foul and baba ganoush, salads such as tabbouleh and fattoush, and more substantial dishes like coriander chicken, chilli prawns and beef kofta with pomegranate sauce.

Like any good cooking class, half of the fun comes in the tasting. Ali’s cooking debunks whatever preconceptions you might have about Lebanese cooking. It’s not the garlic and spice-laden food you tasted years ago at that bad Middle Eastern restaurant. It’s light, healthy and delicious. And best of all – it’s something you could easily make at home for your next dinner party.

Still not convinced you could pull it off? You’ll be happy to hear that Ali also does in-home cooking classes. We agree, being a guest is much more fun!

Where: The Home Provedore, 39 Market Street, Fremantle
Hours: Wednesdays, 11am-1pm
Price: $80/class
Details: cookingwithali.com

Bobby & Olive is a family affair, and mum Jane Edwards is the designer. After working as a pattern maker for Fenella Peacock and Antipodium, she then branched off to create her own label. Bobby & Olive clothes can be worn by day or dressed up at night. The muted silk shifts, earth-toned jumpers, wool dresses and leather vests all have a touch of flair without being over the top. It’s the wearability – and affordable prices – of the clothes that make them so lovable.

Daughters Leah and Enya manage the boutique and it was their idea to add the café element. Leah, who has spent years working as a barista, said that choice was an easy one since the shop has its own kitchen and toilets, remnants from its previous life as Toscanini’s. “Shopping at Bobby & Olive is an experience. Shoppers can browse, try on clothes and then take a break with coffee and cake,” says Leah.

It’s a brilliant idea that the Freo locals have taken to. The office workers down the street stop by for take away coffees – Rubra is their roaster of choice – and young mums chat over the cakes and slices on the private limestone terrace. On rainy days, shoppers perch on the gorgeous wooden chairs to watch the activity on Essex Street go by

Psst: mothers love coffee, cake and clothes. There’s your Mother’s Day sorted!

Where: 17 Essex Street, Fremantle
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Details: bobbyandolive.com

Thank god for Cheeky Monkey, Margaret River’s newest and most fun-loving microbrewery. It’s a place where your inner cheekiness can run wild. A place that encourages you to “have some laughs and see what you can get away with.” In other words, it’s a playground for all ages.

For the kids, there’s the pimped-out fun zone and acres of lawn to run wild on. And for the adults, it’s a relaxed space where you can drink freshly brewed beer, hang out with friends and enjoy the view. No fancy lingo required.

At the helm of the brewery is beer lover Murray Burton, founder of Ferngrove Wines in Frankland River. Besides presiding over the design of the brewery, he took on Jared Proudfoot – a fresh-faced brewer who picked up some trade secrets while working at Scotland’s largest independently owned brewery, Brewdog. It’s Jared you can thank for the delicious IPA, pale ale, red ale, pilsner and ciders on tap.

While you’re there, visit the adjoining Cheeky’s Restaurant and the Killerby cellar door. Don’t worry – both are monkey-friendly.

Where: 4259 Caves Road, Margaret River
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm
Details: cheekymonkeybrewery.com.au

Monday: 399 Bar, Northbridge

The bartenders at 399 love a challenge. Every Monday, customers are invited – nay, pleaded with – to bring mystery ingredients that their bartender must incorporate into an original cocktail. But for an extra brain tease, tonight is also the Jim Beam Small Batch Masters cocktail competition. What to order? Whatever the winning bartender whips up.

Tuesday: El Público, Mount Lawley

With over 60 types of tequila and mescal behind the bar, the bartenders at Mexican restaurant El Público are well armed. What to order? Uncle Ron’s Mexican Milkshake.

Wednesday: Kitsch, Leederville
Occasionally, you come across a cocktail so delicious, it sears itself into your memory, bringing water to your mouth at every recollection. The Spicy Gingerbeer at Kitsch does that for us. What (else) to order? The Red Rickshaw.

Thursday: Frisk! Espresso, Northbridge
Frisk! Espresso pours a lot more than just coffee. In the spare moments when the bartenders aren’t posting another social media update, they pour some killer cocktails from their a brand spanking new list. What to order? The Espresso Martini.

Friday: Luxe Bar, Mount Lawley
Luxe is Western Australia’s most awarded cocktail bar. In honour of World Cocktail Week, Luxe will be serving up their winter cocktails at special prices. What to order? The Sloe and Rusty.

Saturday: The Classroom, North Perth

In celebration of Cocktail Week, the bartenders/history teachers at the Classroom are recreating the signature cocktails of six of history’s most influential bartenders such as Jerry Thomas, Sam Ross and Salvatore Calabrese. What to order? The Blue Blazer.

Sunday: Helvetica, Perth

Perth’s favourite whiskey bar serves some lovingly prepared cocktails. The best are those that they let age for two weeks in oak. What to order? The Bijou.

Where: Various locations around Perth

Raah sits at the southern end of Beaufort street in place of Veritas, but completely redecorated in a contemporary style inspired by the Middle-East. The golden yellow stucco-like walls have been sandblasted to reveal undercoats of deep reds and turquoise. A ribbon of rust-brown metal with mirror cut-outs in Islamic arabesque geometric shapes reflect the light from hanging lanterns. The tables are laid simply with linen and traditional Turkish salt and pepper shakers.

Raah’s food is influenced by Syrian, Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine, and everything is designed to be shared. The mezze include classics like gozleme, hummus with Turkish bread and Syrian spiced olives. But Raah’s famous for the prawns that are coated in preserved lemon, Turkish chilli and coriander and grilled to perfection. And then there’s the quail that is poached in cinnamon and then fried to create a crispy skin, served with a tahini, black chilli-cucumber yogurt sauce.

From the “More Substantial” dishes, the unanimous standout is the yogurt-marinated goat with green chilli, coriander and dates, perfect for dipping in the spicy aubergine relish.

If you have any space left, squeeze in a taste of Raah’s dessert. The petite fours offer a great selection of Raah’s best sweets: Turkish delight, chocolate brownie, lemon meringue and pistachio nougat.

Or better yet, skip dessert and order the scrumptious Turkish delight martini.

Where: 484 Beaufort Street, Highgate
Hours: Tue-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-9:30pm
Details: http://www.raah.com.au/

Open since December, Sake Bar is one part izakaya bar, one part traditional Japanese restaurant in the heart of Northbridge. Walk through the doors, and you’ll immediately notice the long black marble bartop behind which lie row upon row of bottles of sake – a Japanese drink made from fermented rice – on rich mahogany shelves.

They’ll serve it to you in the traditional manner – hot or cold – but you can tell the bartenders get more of a kick out of mixing up a saketini or two. And there are dozens of them. The prize for the most creative goes to Yakuza’s Revenge – a potent mix of Tangumai sake, Yamazaki whiskey, Noilly Prat vermouth, Campari and Heering Cherry Liqueur. They claim it’s for the “distinguished palate”. Maybe. But we reckon it’s also for the brave.

But Sake Bar is much more than just a bar. Venture further in, and you’ll see that the back half of Sake Bar is a long dining room with private rooms, booths and small freestanding tables separated by bamboo partitions. The private rooms – which seat 6-10 people, feature authentic tatami flooring and shoji sliding doors. You’ll definitely forget you’re in Northbridge.

Hungry? There are small izakaya-style dishes designed to share like gyoza, edamame, and the deliciously naughty tori karaage – deep fried chicken with a wasabi mayo dipping sauce. Then there’s the sashimi, sushi and even a Japanese carpaccio of kingfish, salmon and octopus. Good luck choosing!

If you’re up for it, head across the street to Hit Studio Karaoke after dinner. You might as well put your saketini buzz to good use.

Where: 71 Francis Street, Northbridge
Hours: 7 days a week for lunch and dinner

Owner Tony Tricarico, who also owns Duchess Bar and Malt Supper Club, decked the place out in his signature style; over-the-top lavishness. Crystal chandeliers dangle from the ceilings, the walls are swathed in intricately patterned wallpaper and a DJ spins chilled out lounge tunes. The smaller rooms upstairs, which can be hired for private soirees, contain plush sofas, glass tables and incredibly well dressed patrons sipping from delicate glasses. And to top off the look? Two leggy models stand pouting in the alcove near the front entrance. Yes, it’s that kind of place.

Guests can choose from an extensive range of top shelf spirits, wine, beer and bubbles. Then there are the cocktails, which are divine.

If you choose to partake in the supper menu – which is available till 2am – then beware: those models look hungry.

Where: 918 Hay Street, West End, Perth
Hours: Tue-Sat noon-2am
Details: https://www.facebook.com/lostsocietybarperth

The intimate courtyard dining area has been left untouched – wooden tables are still sheltered by leafy and flowering creepers. As always, the open and cheerful yellow gate affords glimpses of the grassy garden, strewn with frolicking children whose energy has outlasted their interest in the art centre’s current exhibition.

The menu, however, has gone through a complete renovation. Chef Nimrod Kazoom has created a Middle Eastern menu inspired by his Israeli background.

Canvas’s signature breakfast is the Shakshuka – the typical breakfast eaten daily by millions in the Middle East and North Africa. Known as huevos flamencos in Spain and menemen in Turkey, Shakshuka comprises eggs poached in an 8-hour tomato sauce, served on Canvas’s homemade Moorish sourdough bread, which is baked daily with herbs grown on the premises by the FAC’s own gardener.

Lunch includes homemade dolmades, Tunisian lamb brains shakshuka, a lamb and kalamata burger, and dips like cumin’d hummus, homemade labneh (a soft cheese made from yogurt) and a smoked eggplant, feta and kalamata olives.

We figure the best way to experience Canvas is to visit on a night that the “Twilight and Tapas” is on. Diners can sample tapas from the a la cart menu while experiencing live Flamenco music and performances.

You can’t help but wonder how the resident artists manage to concentrate with all of those gorgeous smells and sounds wafting about.

Where: 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle
Hours: 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch and occasional dinners
Details: canvasatfremantleartscentre.com/

Obviously, the only safe and sanity-retaining gift is food. Everybody eats and there’s no such thing as having too many boxes of chocolates in the cupboard. Plus, unlike with clothes, no one gets offended if you buy the biggest size.

That’s why we’re so stoked to have found Nosh, a gourmet food and gift shop in East Victoria Park. The small, independent shop stocks local WA-produced foods. There’s Rochelle Adonis’s famous nougat, chocolate from Whistlers and Fremantle Chocolate, infused olive oil from Olio Bello in Margaret River, ready-to-cook dinner mixes from Turban Chopsticks, jars of chutneys and sauces from Greig’s Gourmet in Dunsborough and freshly ground Yahava coffee from the Swan Valley.

Then there are non-edibles like hand made journals, cookbooks, tea sets, cooking tools and serving accessories.

Oh dear, how do you choose? Use our tried-and-true method: close your eyes, twirl a few times and point. Or, if pride prevails, just ask the friendly staff for help in putting together a hamper.

Surely your choice in gift won’t be affected by the fact that food gifts usually get opened and consumed immediately following their unwrapping. But maybe choose your favourite flavour just in case.

Where: 842 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
Hours: Mon-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Details: noshgourmet.com.au

Piccolo’s Corner is a neighbourhood café on a quiet residential street in the centre of West Leederville, amongst picket fenced cottages. It’s owned by husband and wife team Jesse and Shanel – both West Leederville locals – who named the café after the nickname they give their newborn.

So what exactly makes it so quintessentially Perthian? Well, on first glance, you’d chalk it up to the Stormie Mills paintings perched on the bare brick wall behind the counter. Or the WA products for purchase like the Ellah eggs, New Norcia bread, Bannister Downs milk for sale alongside glass jars of lollies and fresh apples from Mt Hawthorn Fresh.

Then there’s the food, which is all homemade, organic and made with local ingredients. A favourite for breakfast is the sourdough toast with roasted mashed pumpkin, feta and fresh pesto, which is made from basil grown in the back garden. Or the bruschetta salad made with bocconcini so juicy and fresh you’d swear they were buffalo mozzarella.

But what we like best is that all of the furniture and fittings have been recycled from unwanted items found on council collection days. Discarded wooden doors have been repurposed as tables and shelves. The two gorgeous china light fixtures hanging above the register were adopted from a local verge. The fence is from the salvage yard and even the plants were rescued from their doom at the tip.

The garden provides the majority of the tables, an arrangement feasible only in a city with weather as fair as Perth’s. There’s nothing quite like enjoying your breakfast with a cup of 5 Senses coffee – another Western Australian touch, you’ll note – under the branches of a rescued frangipani.

So the next time you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, listen out. We’re willing to bet that the whole “city as an adjective” trend goes both directions.

Where: Corner of St Leonard’s Ave and Woolwich St, West Leederville
Hours: Tue-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2
Details: facebook.com

But not anymore. The humble hotdog is enjoying a revival in Perth. The latest is Snags and Sons – an eatery in Leederville opened by Justin Bell of Jus Burgers – proving that there is, in fact, an art to creating the perfect snag experience.

First, you create a laid-back vibe in the restaurant. You cover the walls with images of iconic Perth landmarks like the Dingo Flour Mill and brightly coloured food adverts for mustard and cider. No girly stuff here. Then you slap some cylindrical surfaces atop some rusted wine barrels – which you then call tables. But most importantly, you fill the entire space with the gorgeous smell and sound of sizzling snags.

The décor sorted, you then turn your attention to the food. To bring the sexy back to the little old snag, you have to get the menu right. Snags and Sons serve only high quality local sausages. They include free range Linley Valley pork, Mt Barker free range chicken and Chittering Valley Venison, and even vegan and gluten free Margaret River tempeh sausages. You serve them on freshly made baby baguettes. Then you offer a collection of no-cutlery-required “dude food”: grilled mettwurst, chorizo and cacciatore with mustard fruits. To avoid neglecting the sweet teeth, you stock treats from Perth’s pastry master Rochelle Adonis. Yep, that’s the winning formula.

But this all begs the question: did Justin create Snags and Sons just to reduce the perma-queue at Jus Burgers two doors down? Hm. Smart man.

Where: 749 Newcastle Street, Leederville
Hours: 7 days/week for lunch and dinner
Details: snagsandsons.com.au

Nevertheless, a mother and daughter team politely disagreed and just last week opened their café Santi’s in the spacious ground floor of the shiny new office building across from Hollywood Private Hospital.  Mary and Daniela have spent their careers in hospitality and have a trick up their sleeve: the Santi family come from a little town just outside of Lucca. And boy, does this family love food.

This Italian influence is evident throughout the café, but nowhere more than in the food. The display case holds freshly fried arancini balls, panini, gigantic side plate-sized biscuits and naughtily delicious looking cakes. The menu, on the other hand, holds surprises like breakfast bruschetta, fresh pasta du jour and the Santi’s Burger, made with Italian mince and sausage. The coffee is made with a special blend served exclusively at Santi’s.

The décor, too, contains touches of the Italian heritage. We love the feminine accents like the paisley lampshades, picture frame table numbers and checkerboard flooring. One wall contains a mosaic of framed black and white photographs taken during the annual visits to their Tuscan hometown. Behind the register is a dramatic black panelling with the scrawled words “Caffé e cibo son fatti con amore”: the coffee and food are made with love.

They sure are.

Where: 52-54 Monash Avenue, Nedlands
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm
Details: santis.com.au/

It’s still a little rough around the edges, but if you know where to look, there are a lot of great businesses opening in Vic Park. A great example is The Precinct.

The week-old restaurant’s interior has been decorated to reflect the gritty, industrial and urban landscape outside its doors. The cement floors are left rough, the lights are covered in cages and brick walls wear murals by local artist Marek Szyler.

The Precinct’s chef Richard Tyhy hails from Vancouver and the Canadian influence is evident. For tapas, there are stand-outs like spicy turkey wings and pork scrunchions (a Newfoundland term for pork rind). The steak comes with a cola jus, the fries with a pepper ketchup.

We don’t know if the desserts are Canadian, but we do know they’re delicious. The citrus, chocolate salad is our favourite. A light, fresh and tart finish to a great meal.

But even more refreshing? The prices. The tapas cost around $12, the mains $25 and desserts are $10. You’d be hard pressed to find prices like that in a respectable restaurant north of the river.

If only the council would approve their liquor licence… Now that’s a problem that both sides of the river are all too familiar with.

Where: 834 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-midnight, Sat 8am-midnight, Sun 8am-10pm
Details: theprecinctvicpark.com.au

For Greenhouse co-owner Paul Aron and Cantina 663′s Michael Forde and Alex Cuccovia, the result of their Mexican exploration is newly opened Mt Lawley restaurant El Público.

They, along with head chef Sam Ward, have created a truly authentic menu. There are Mexican street snacks like the esquites: charred kernels of barbecued sweet corn tossed in chilli mayonnaise, lime and a soft feta-like cheese. Or there’s the gorgeous entrée salmon aquachile jalapeno coriander, a cold dish of ceviche-style raw salmon in a spicy-yet-creamy coriander sauce. Our favourite dish might be dessert of cajeta flan, made with caramelised goat’s milk, pureed bananas and homemade peanut ice cream with a crispy sesame biscuit. It tastes even better than it sounds.

The secret to El Público’s amazing mix of flavours is that nearly all the produce is organic and sourced locally – yes, even the eight types of chillies.

But the mezcal and tequila? Don’t worry – it’s all imported from Mexico. The more than 60 varieties are served as shots (which are meant to be savoured, not gulped) and cocktails.

Turns out that Mexican food is more than guacamole and greasy enchiladas. Who knew?

Where: 511 Beaufort Street, Highgate
Hours: Wed-Fri 4pm-midnight, Sat 11:30am-midnight, Sun 11:30am-10pm
Details: elpublico.com.au

Lapa Brazilian Barbecue serves little else than – you guessed it – meat, which it cooks on a giant rodízio. This gas rotisserie can be seen from any seat in the restaurant. It sits behind a giant pane of glass and video of it streams onto flatscreens around the restaurant. A vegetarian might not feel too comfortable here.

While there are a couple of a la cart dishes, most non-vegetarian diners opt for the Endless Feast. Every minute or two, one of the passadores, armed with a knives and long skewers, offer slabs of one of the 16 types of meat they happen to be carrying. There’s pork sausage, lamb rump, beef ribs, pork scotch fillet and chicken wings, to name a few. They all come out juicy, barbecued to perfection and accompanied by three traditional sauces, two types of salad and a never-ending bowl of moreish cheese balls.

A word to the wise: don’t ignore the little red and green coaster marked “Sim por favor” on one side and on the other “Não Obrigado”. It’s nearly impossible to refuse as one of the passadores with their luscious Brazilian accents offers you the umpteenth serve of meat. Flip your coaster to the red side and they’ll have mercy.

Where: 375 Hay Street, Subiaco
Hours: Open for dinner 7 days a week and lunch Thu-Sun
Details: lapa.net.au/

Perth’s newest espresso bar Standing Room Only falls into the second group. As the name suggests, there are no seats in this closet-sized café. Instead, there’s a gorgeous sky blue Synesso espresso machine and – if you’re lucky enough to find a place at the miniscule “brew bar” – the open invitation to chat with the barista and learn a thing or two about the coffee these guys are passionate about making.

So what makes it so special? Well, first there’s the selection of coffee blends. There’s the default house blend (currently a mix of Guatemalan, Ethiopian and Columbian beans), a single-origin “guest” from alternative small-scale roasters from around the world (this month it’s Perth’s own Grand Central Coffee Roasters), and a single-origin bean by 5 Senses’ Backroom Coffee Program.

Standing Room Only’s choice of brewing methods is pretty cool too. Customers can choose from four: espresso, syphon, V60 pour over and cold-drip. Don’t know the difference? Just ask!

Lastly, the baristas make some pretty amazing latte art. In fact, Michael Munroe – whose father owns the joint – won third place in the AASCA WA Coffee Championships a couple weeks ago.

Who needs a chair when your coffee is both delicious and beautiful?

Where: Piccadilly Arcade, Perth
When: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm
Details: facebook.com

Opened just last year, and in conjunction with the Carillon City and Perth Fashion Festival, HATCH is acting as a launching pad for emerging WA designers. It carries ladies’ and men’s fashion and accessories, textiles, home wares and visual art – all by local creatives whose work is gaining recognition and deserves to reach a wider audience.

There are the designs of Perth designer Ebony Harding, whose label LittleGracie is catching a lot of attention. She says that nature is the inspiration for her whimsical women’s clothing, most of which incorporate ruffles, frills, pleats and bows.

Elegant, glamorous and edgy are clothes by Zhivago, a label whose name in Russian means ‘daring’. Which is also what you’ll be to wear the pieces. Structured shoulder accents and sharp angles have created statement-making clothes.

Possibly the youngest of the designers featured at HATCH is Dianella-born and raised Steph Audino who describes her style as girly and romantic, yet cheeky. Think itty bitty skirts and flowy chiffon maxi dresses.

There are also heaps of accessories to choose from. Wallets, handbags and clutches come from Subiaco-based Generics Accessories and the handmade jewellery made with semi-precious stones from Fremantle’s Wild Horses.

We especially love the artwork by fashion illustrator Pippa McManus, whose work you may remember from Louis Baxters or the Claremont Quarter.

Need another reason to love Hatch? They’re currently offering 20-60% off their summer stock. Run!

Where: Shop 55, Carillion City, Hay Street Level, Perth
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-5:30pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Details: facebook.com/HATCHshop

And we get it. Local food tastes better since it’s fresher and in season. It’s better for the environment because the food miles and associated emissions are reduced. Plus, eating local supports smaller growers and producers. The trouble is that local produce is often hard to find, expensive or, worse still, requires a long drive to reach – which defeats the purpose of eating local in the first place.

Luckily, local business Urban Locavore has stepped in. Each month, these passionate locavores scour WA to find the freshest local fare, and deliver up to ten of the best products directly to your door. These products range from chutneys to baked goods to preserves to coffee. The surprise of what each month’s hamper will contain is half of the fun.

The March box, for example, contained a bag of saffron and barberry rice mix, sheep cheese, a jar of caper berries, 3 heads of garlic, a satchel of muesli, fig jam, a selection of biscuits and a pack of five teas – all of which was sourced from WA.

Who knows what surprises the April box will hold…

Where: Perth Metropolitan Area
Price: $49.95 + $5 delivery per month
Details: urbanlocavore.com.au/

But it’s the grown-ups who get to have all the fun. Nells Emporium is a quirky clothing shop cum café in a leafy corner of Mosman Park. The brains – and creativity – behind Nells is fashion designer Fenella Peacock, a third of London-based label Antipodium.

Nells Emporium is housed in a gorgeous converted cottage. Between its tall ceilings, hardwood floors and vintage furniture are racks of beautiful women’s clothing. Fenella’s self-titled label makes up the majority of what’s on offer. Silk and the softest of cotton have been transformed into feminine and flowy dresses and shifts. Her brand new Poetica line is a collection of soft and ethereal pieces for Autumn. We fell head over heels for the Noir Sofia Dress. Nells also stocks labels such as TotoMoto, Robert Gordon home wares and ICA jewellery by Jessica Baxter.

Once you’ve had your fix of fashion, venture to the back of the shop to find yourself in Nells café, a pocket-sized café attached to a sun-dappled courtyard. “French inspired food with an exotic twist” is how they describe it. The menu changes daily, but there always seems to be fresh baguettes, crepes and lemons, as well as baked treats from Fremantle’s Little Bakery.

Deciding upon the perfect occasion to wear that Fenella Peacock dress, while sipping a mug of Fiori coffee and nibbling on a slice of red velvet cake? Not a bad way to spend an early Autumn arvo.

Where: 15 Glyde Street, Mosman Park
When: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm
Details: facebook.com/nellsboutique

Since opening in December, Six Senses has made a name for itself by shaking up notions of Thai food. Its formula: combining fresh Aussie produce with traditional Thai flavours, and serving it in a modern and upscale dining space.

Six Sense’s signature dish is its version of massaman curry – a traditional curry from Southern Thailand – made with Aussie lamb shank rather than the typical beef or chicken. The same lovely spicy peanuty sauce with just-falling-off-the-bone lamb. The warm beef salad is made with Wagyu beef, that has a flavour-packed marble score of 9+, instead of the ho-hum grain fed beef you would find in most Thai restaurants. The chilli and lime dressing make it familiar, but the beef makes the dish sing.

For the purists out there, Six Senses does serve the classics. The Betel Leaf Prawns will bring you straight back to that unforgettable holiday in Bangkok. The Pad Thai is the perfect combination of smoky, sweet and salty that can only come from the hands of a seasoned chef and even more seasoned wok. Our favourite, the Thai Style 3 Flavoured Baby Baramundi, is deep fried pieces of fish in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce. Divine.

The rule bending stops when it comes to the dessert at Six Senses. The chef favours classics like taro and sago in coconut cream, and sticky rice with mango. Guess there are some classics you can’t fusion-ify without angering the culinary gods.

Where: Shop 23, 1731 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
When: 7days, Lunch 11am-3pm, Dinner 5-10pm
Details:

Only two months old, The Cool Room is a funky little café next door to the vintage furniture shop – and Fremantle institution – Old Values. And like its neighbour, The Cool Room is both refreshingly unpretentious and passionate about breathing new life into the discarded and once-loved.

The shop itself was renovated from its previous life as a butcher shop. The retro tables and chairs were sourced from Gumtree and Old Values. A salvaged record player spins 60’s tunes.

Peta, the shop’s gregarious owner, says she was keen on creating a space that promoted art and culture. Dog-eared art and design mags are fanned out on tables. Paintings by local artist Peter Matulich, depicting lonely and abandoned old buildings in Perth, hang on the walls. He certainly shares the shop owner’s nostalgia for what she calls the “forgotten and disappearing urban landscape”.

Ideology aside, The Cool Room is simply a great place to eat. Peta does the cooking herself, and her menu offers a welcome diversion from the typical Perth breaky menu. The muesli, cakes and muffins are homemade. The panini are made with locally baked sourdough bread. The salads are fresh and inventive – how about one with roast sweet potato, beetroot, fresh goats curd and hazelnut? Yum.

If a community’s identity becomes embodied in its neighbourhood café, then Fremantle just got a whole lot cooler.

Details:

Where: 114b Holland St, Fremantle
Hours: Wed-Sun 7:30am-3pm
Details:  facebook.com

So when the Daily Espresso Bar joined Swanbourne’s burgeoning café community three months ago, owners Charlie Galbally and Laurence Greenfield knew that their survival depended on perfecting one thing – coffee. Because while Swanbourne’s other cafés do serve respectable coffee, it falls secondary to their other specialties. Bookcaffe is more about books than long blacks, and you can find better croissants than café au laits at Choux Café. But the Daily Espresso Bar’s forte is coffee and coffee alone.

The boys opened shop in place of the Swanbourne newsagency and decked it out in custom-made wooden tables and shelves from Raw Edge Furniture. The walls have been left bare, and decoration is little more than burlap coffee bags and containers of tea. By keeping the décor minimal, guests are able to focus on what they’ve come for: beautiful coffee.

And oh, how beautiful it is to sip Five Senses coffee while chatting with a friend, watching the wind rustle the boughs of the Norfolk pines just outside the window and sampling some of the cakes, baked fresh from Floreat café and bakery Fortysevenkirwanstreet.

But the ace up Daily Espresso Bar’s sleeve? It turns out that Daily’s Synesso espresso machine was shipped in from Seattle. Figures!

Where: 119 Claremont Crescent, Swanbourne
When: Mon-Fri 6:30-4pm, Sat-Sun 7am-1pm
Details: facebook.com

Juanita’s is a new wine and tapas bar found in the back of Gill & Hille Merchants, a shop selling art supplies, stationery and home wares. Run by husband and wife team Gill and Juanita and open since December, the small bar is chic in a dishevelled way. The furniture comprises a mish-mash of laminex tables, paint-chipped stools, and vintage divans. The walls are dotted with owner cum artist Gill Murray’s own oil paintings. And English appears to be the bar’s second language; the wine list is dominated by Spanish and French, and Italian aphorisms are scrawled on the walls, such as “Solo l’amore é importante”. Only love is important.

Certainly that philosophy has been applied to the food at Juanita’s – just don’t expect a menu. Just as the décor’s charm lies in its eccentricities, the selection of tapas changes daily according to the whim of the owners and the freshness of the produce. Today there might be oysters from Albany. Luck may have it that the arancini were fried fresh that day. Juanita may have decided to make a butter cake instead of a chocolate one. The bad news is that your particular craving may go unsatisfied. The good news is that everything tastes divine.

You’re starting to see that European influence now, aren’t you?

Where: 341 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco
Hours: Mon-Sat noon-9pm, Sun noon-6pm
Details: gillandhille.com.au

So if you have an affliction that can only be remedied by retail, visit Bower – a shop trading in home wares, jewellery and gifts. Barely a year old, this Swanbourne boutique has amassed a seriously impressive collection of beautiful things. Inga, the Latvian owner and former manager of Cottesloe boutique Plane Tree Farm, stocks her shop with a collection of Australian and international designs as well as fair trade products.

There are clothes and accessories by Aussie labels Elk and Firefly. The hand-loomed linen comes from Latvia. Whimsical prints by French design studio Beau Est Mien hang on the walls. Many of the gorgeous handcrafted home wares come from the Melbourne workshop of bonnie and neil. Then there are baskets from Bangladesh and blankets from Zimbabwe, which are all fair trade.

For the olfactorily inclined, there are reed diffusers by French fragrance-makers Geodesis, soaps and lotions by Italian company Nesti Dante and luxury candles by Voluspa.

Set amongst all of this prettiness are Inga’s own works of art made with twigs – intricate little birds nests and bouquets of gnarled branches. Lovely.

Warning: Oniomaniacs ought to leave their credit cards at home.

Where: 119 Claremont Crescent, Swanbourne
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm | Sat 10am-5pm | Sun 10am-3pm

You won’t find boring watercolour landscapes or oil still life paintings here. Instead, this pint-sized gallery on William Street deals in lowbrow, pop surrealism and underground art. In other words, it’s art that’s accessible, unique and fun.

We’re huge fans of the work of Oregon artist Matte Stephens, whose vintage-inspired gouache paintings look like they belong within the pages of a children’s book. Then there’s the work of Mark Ryden, whose paintings are as unsettling as they are hauntingly beautiful, depicting forest animals with psychotic eyes and doll-like little girls covered in fur.

Besides framed art, Outré offers a whole range of books on lowbrow art and design – many of which are printed by Outré Gallery Press itself. If you’re into tattoo, flip through Tattoo Darling by Angelique Houtkamp, a Dutch tattoo artist whose work is depicted in gorgeous photos. Or there’s the coffee table book Apartment Living is Great – a photographic documentation of apartment building names in Southern California.

Thinking outside the Ikea showroom box does take some effort. But just think of all the angst and indigestion you’ll avoid skipping those lines and Swedish meatballs.

Where: 260 William St Northbridge
Hours: Wed-Thu 10:30am-5:30pm, Fri 11am-6:30pm, Sat 10:30am- 5pm, Sun noon-4pm
Details: outregallery.com

Ever wished you could take home the ingredients which went into your muesli and yoghurt or find the same selection of cold meats which arrived at your table? At the Ingredient Tree you can simply enjoy your breakfast or lunch, then take a few sort steps from the cafe into the food-store and buy it to take home for yourself.

While cheap is not a word which springs to mind to describe the food-store goods, the selection makes it a foodies dream; beans and grains of all varieties, organic produce, high-quality olive oil – it’s all here and ready for you to take home. You can even buy tomatoes and cheese straight from the kitchen fridge.

The cafe menu offers a surprising number of options for vegetarians roast vegetable salad with raspberry and hazelnut dressing is delicious and at least four different varieties of pies were also available the day we visited. And of course you can’t forget the coffee – top baristas are at work with Melbourne’s Genovese ‘Super Brazil’ blend. If coffee’s not your thing then try the masala chai latte – you wont regret it!

Where: 87a Herdsman Parade, Wembley
Hours: Weekdays 7:30am-6pm / Weekends 8am-4pm
Details: ingredienttree.com

But a visit to Purl Bar, Subiaco’s newest small bar, is a must. Why? Because it’s one of the only places you can get table service on a Saturday night.  Because it’s impossible to be overdressed within its four lusciously wallpapered walls. Because from your plush booth you can watch the queue grow at the Subi Hotel, and laugh self-congratulatory.

Whilst lunch and dinner is served at Purl Bar, it’s the cocktail menu that is the real hero here. Bartenders shake, stir and muddle some wicked cocktails that you won’t find in other Rockeby bar. For the tequila lovers, there’s the Plata Passion – a mixture of Cazadores blanco tequila, passionfruit, cloudy apple juice and muddled limes with a crème de mure float. We’re loyal to the Hot Apple Pie, a sweet-and-spicy combination of vodka, lemon, apple juice and falernum spices like clove, allspice and vanilla. Delicious.

So this weekend, while plotting your Saturday-in-Subi itinerary, make room for a stop at the Purl Bar – just don’t be surprised if they run out of the Hot Apple Pie. We’re having one right now…

Where: 71-75 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
Hours: Mon – noon-5pm, Tue – noon-midnight, Wed-Sat – noon-1am
Details: purlbar.com.au

And now’s your chance to stock up on the stuff. For the next three months, Northbridge vintage shop Miss Brown will be peddling its vintage wares in the temporary pop-up shop in the city. It’s part of the 140 Pop-up Project, an initiative offering creatives a unique platform to showcase their talents free of the expensive overhead costs associated with a CBD shop. Pretty awesome if you ask us.

Miss Brown is a collection of vintage clothing from the 50′s-90′s, curated by co-owner Madeleine Thomson. With five shops across the country, it’s fair to say she knows what sells and what doesn’t. Her shops are filled with timeless one-off pieces, as well as clothing that has been repaired and re-modified for contemporary tastes. Everything is unique and blessedly affordable.

The vintage shop is best known for its remodified vintage day dresses, many made from repurposed Japanese fabric, that have become a Miss Brown trademark. But there are also colourful handbags, leather boots and brogues, swimwear and hats. For the men, Madeleine has hand-picked a selection of authentic Western and chambray denim shirts in heaps of colours.

There, now that your party outfit is sorted, you can start polishing up those dance moves.

Where: Shop 16, 140 William Street, Perth
Hours: 15 Mar–mid-June : Mon-Thu 10am–5pm | Fri 10am–8pm |  Sat 10am–5pm | Sun 10am–4pm
Details: facebook.com

But finally an affordable – and delicious – restaurant has set up shop in Nedlands: The Bürgermeister. This burger restaurant is all about unpretentious food, funky décor and a door that’s open to everybody.

Walking through said door, you might think you’ve actually stepped into student accommodation. Lava lamps slowly gargle their globules in front of a wall of kitschy wallpaper depicting kimono-clad Japanese girls. One wall is plastered with gig posters, another with a mosaic of multicoloured metal pot lids.

You’ll have to blink a couple of times to shut out the distraction of the décor and focus on the menu. If you’re hanging out for a burger, you have a dozen to choose from. We’d recommend one of the beef burgers, which are made from organic, grass-fed Devon cattle from Bindoon. But we also tasted the Roast Field Mushroom burger – a great choice or vegos and mushroom-lovers.

If you’re more keen on a hotdog, choose between three types of German sausage – frankfurter, bratwurst or wiener – which are sourced from a local German butcher.

At The Bürgermeister, the average burger costs around $12 and a hotdog $10. Just think, with the money you’ll save from dinner, you can start saving for that Nedlands mansion you’ve had your eye on.

Where: 170b Hampden Road, Nedlands
Hours: Mon-Sun: 11am-9:30pm
Details: facebook.com

Behold, Bunkers Beach Cafe, one of the only truly beachside restaurants in WA. Opened in 2006, it has been winning awards ever since and it well deserves it’s sparkling reputation. Award winning Head Chef Hamish McLeay has created a relaxed yet modern Australian fare in an equally relaxed and modern setting.

There can be no better salve for the office weary soul, than sitting in the alfresco dining area enjoying anything from an Aussie Fry up to a Chocolate Breakfast (yes really), with one of the most tranquil backdrops anywhere.  And with a fabulous selection of Australian and imported wines, its endlessly warm and friendly service, Bunkers Beach Cafe is indeed as good as the view.

Where: Bunkers Beach Cafe, Farm Break Lane, Bunker Bay, Naturaliste
Hours:  8.30am – 4.00pm weekdays, 4.30pm weekends
Details: bunkersbeachcafe.com.au

The café is definitely not putting on airs. It’s all about friendly service, great food and a place sip coffee over the morning paper.

Owners Jason and Nooreen opened their business four months ago in a bid to create a totally unique café. Since Noreen was raised in Kenya, they chose to adopt an African theme. Antler chandeliers hang from the ceiling and African artefacts are displayed throughout the café.

The food is delicious and all made fresh on the premises. They serve the usual breakfast options, but if you are the mood for something more exotic, there are savoury dishes like curries and stuffed capsicums that incorporate African flavours. Oh, and we forgot to mention that breaky is served all day. Anyone for some arvo pancakes?

Besides serving a great cup of Fiori coffee, Kahawa also offers Rooibos herbal tea from South Africa. The red-tinged brew contains five times the antioxidants of green tea and is naturally caffeine free. There’s also the “Red Espresso” and “Red Cappuccino”, but in this heat, the Fresh Red is our favourite – it’s Rooibos mixed with apple juice and poured over ice.

Bet you won’t find that over in Claremont Quarter.

Where: 62 Davies Road, Claremont
Hours: Daily, 6:30am-4pm
Details: facebook.com

New Edition Northbridge may only be a sixth of the size of its flagship shop in Fremantle, but it carries just as much charm.

The bookstore’s teeny tiny space is stocked floor to ceiling with Italian modular shelving holding thousands of books. The wooden floors have a pleasant squeak to them as a browser passes over them. The small space doesn’t feel crowded, but cosy.

The books themselves are organised in a logical way, and seem to favour art and culture. There’s a great selection of fashion, photography and design books in one corner, and in another a huge array of cookbooks. The non-fiction section contains Australian authors as well as the classics.

Don’t overlook the espresso machine nestled in the corner. That’s the mini-Grumpy Sailor Café. Like it’s older sibling, it too serves Crema coffee… but sadly, no treats. Lucky for the hungry, Jean Pierre Sancho Bakery is just a few metres down the road.

They say the old fashioned bookstore is in its death throes. Luckily for us, that just ain’t so in Northbridge.

Where: 212 William Street, Northbridge
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Details: newedition.com.au

You probably won’t believe us when you first walk into Dough. The place has been decorated in a modern and casual way, with exposed brick, a collage of black and white family portraits and upside down potted plants hanging from the ceiling. The ambiance is great, but it certainly doesn’t resemble a pizzeria in Naples, the majority of which have bare walls adorned with little more than a shabby photo of the city’s beloved Totò in a scene from the Neapolitan classic Miseria e Nobiltà.

You’ll still be dubious as you read through the menu. Yes, you’ll find all of the classics. Entrees like calamari and arancini, dozens of pizzas to choose from, and desserts like gelato, tiramisu and panna cotta. It all looks a little too good to be true, you might think. Plus, gasp, there are even some spelling mistakes – in Italian. Mamma mia!

But then, halfway through your first bite of pizza, the following three thoughts will hit you: 1. This is damn good pizza, 2. AgendaCity was right, and 3. We can scratch that trip to Naples off our bucket list.

Oh, and to let you in on Dough’s secret ingredient: it’s the Neapolitan chef. Figures!

Where: 434a William St, Perth
Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, Dinner: Sun-Thu 5:30-10:30pm, Fri and Sat 5:30-late
Details: doughpizza.com.au

Northbridge Piazza will be transformed this weekend when three of Perth’s best and most popular Chinese restaurants; Dragon Palace, Golden Century and Xin Tian Di, get out of the kitchen and take their Yum Cha carts, table and chairs into the sunshine. Iconic Bubble Tea House, Utopia, will also be there with their fresh flavoured range of teas.

But there’s not just the tea and dim sum to tickle your fancy, there’ll be the vibrancy and colour of Chinese entertainment; music, dragon and lion dances. If that’s not enough to get you down to Northbridge this Sunday, you can also take part in perhaps the most unusual competition you’ll come across this year; a chicken feet eating contest. Mmmm chicken feet. Get your chopsticks ready!

Where: Northbridge Piazza
When: 11 Mar (10am-1pm)
Details: eatdrinkperth.showmeperth.com.au

That’s why we’re so happy to have stumbled upon a rarity in this city: a boutique that is fashionable and affordable. The Archive is a brand new second hand shop in Fremantle for women who like to dress well, but have little cash left over to enjoy other things.

If you’re picturing a musty op-shop filled with grandma’s moth-eaten mumus, forget it. The Archive sells lightly used designer duds that look and smell brand new, mingled with some shiny, never-used pieces.

Owners Lisa and Sonya stock their boutique daily with top designer labels like Alice McCall, Mossman, Zimmerman and Sass & Bide. Sizes run between 6-16, and there’s truly something for all ages.

We love the colourful range of jeans by Italian label Naked Ape, which are made with eco-sustainable fabrics and are even unisex. Great for couples that have the same taste – and size – in jeans. Yes, we’re afraid they do exist.

The accessories are as eclectic as the clothes. The vintage jewellery Lisa and Sonya have sourced from New York fly off the shelves and the Quay Eyewear sunglasses – Lady GaGa’s sunnies of choice – are a fun addition to any outfit.

Now you can look great AND afford to drink coffee. Imagine.

Where: 23 Market Street, Fremantle
Hours: Mon-Thu 9:30am-5:30pm | Fri 9:30am-7:30pm | Sat 9:30am-5:30pm | Sun 11am-4pm
Details: thearchive.com.au

Your search is over. Soho Bar and Kitchen, one of the cappuccino strip’s most popular restaurants, has just expanded into the floor above to launch a Saturday night blues supper club complete with live music, burlesque performances and table service.

The Soho Blue Supper Club is the first of its kind for Fremantle. Keen blues and swing fans themselves, Soho owners Gareth and Joanna wanted to give guests the chance to experience the musical genre, but also provide an alternative to the rowdy nightclubs that South Terrace is known for.

The vast upstairs has a distinctive Fremantle vibe. Exposed beams support high ceilings and the outdoor terrace – which doubles as the stage and dance floor – is set against a backdrop of the building’s historical brick façade. The booths lining the walls are comfy and all afford a view of the entertainment.

The Rough House Imperials set the soundtrack to the night that’s up-tempo and danceable. In fact, the band’s light-footed groupies have so much fun on the dance floor, it’ll inspire you to buy a pair of saddle shoes and sign up for swing lessons yourself.

Between sets, the floor is given to the coquettish minxes of Sugar Blue Burlesque, whose shimmying and hipshaking leave a wake of satin opera gloves, boa feathers and rosy-cheeked patrons.

No, this is not your typical Saturday night in Fremantle. And we have Soho to thank for that.

Where: 16 South Terrace, Fremantle
Hours: Saturdays, 8pm-late
Price: free
Details: sohobarandkitchen.com

For $25, you receive a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup. Competitors who finish the soup – broth and all – within 20 minutes receive a t-shirt, a $50 voucher and some serious street cred.

But don’t expect a walk in the park. This isn’t a palm-sized bowl you’d see people eating their morning pho from on the streets of Hanoi. Oh, no. This pho comes in what could easily be mistaken as a salad bowl. It’s packed with a mass of rice noodles, thin slices of beef, onion and bean sprouts. The broth just reaches the brim.

To win this competition takes much more than a simple fondness for the national dish of Vietnam. It requires chopstick-wielding virtuosity, a burn-resistant tongue and a complete disregard for table manners. If you’re not slurping, you’re losing.

If you think you and your appetite have got what it takes, then sign up. Best bring along a bib, while you’re at it.

Where: 57 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
Hours: Every Wednesday in March, 6-9pm
Price: $25
Details: eatdrinkperth.showmeperth.com.au

Having a bad day at work? A mad chocolate craving? A uni professor you need to suck up to? A girlfriend demanding an apology? With over 200 products to choose from, we’re pretty sure MRCC can fix you up.

There are sauces for giving your dessert some oompf, bars for wolfing down, chips for baking, truffles for transforming into the perfect dinner guest, gift hampers for impending birthdays and even body oil for, ahem, whatever you like.

And for the cheapos out there, there are free tastings of the dark, milk and white chocolate pastelles. MRCC even caters to those looking for something other than chocolate, should they exist. The providore sits in the expansive back room containing rows of infused olive oils, preserves, sauces and nibbles. Yes, there are some nice things. But time spent in the providore is time that could have otherwise been spent at the tastings table. We’re just saying.

The only thing missing is the little window into the Wonka-esque factory that you’ll find at MRCC’s other shops. Those urban oompa loompas must be tough contract negotiators.

Where: 317 Murray St, Perth
Hours: Mon-Thu 9.30am-6pm |  Fri 9.30am-9pm | Sat 9:30am-5pm | Sun noon-5pm
Details: chocolatefactory.com.au

Neither could Perth restaurateur Clint Nolan, apparently. He opened the doors of La Cholita, a Mexican restaurant/small bar in Northbridge, in December last year. If the success of Nolan’s other ventures – small bar Who’s your Mumma? and North Freo restaurant Harvest – is anything to go by, then you know what you’re in for.

La Cholita has a fantastic neighbourhood bar feel. There’s nothing pretentious about the place. Tables are made from rough plywood and beer crates, light fixtures dangle from ropes and pulleys, and tattoo-inspired murals cover the walls. But none of that compares to the ambiance created by the ginormous collection of tequila lining the bar. There are 67 types on offer. If you’re not game for a shot, then order a cocktail. The Mexicana is our fave.

The food is the proper kind of Mexican, not the cheese and bean-laden Tex-Mex variety. The guacamole and pico de gallo taste great on the homemade tortilla chips that come fresh from the wood fire oven in the corner. The tostadas and tacos, at around $6 a pop, give you the chance to sample what La Cholita’s about. Try the crab and avocado tostada if you’re after a nibble, or the quesadillas for something more substantial.

La Cholita is a place to meet friends, have a great meal and discuss how the growing small bar scene is changing this city for the better. Viva Northbridge!

Where: 279 William Street, Northbridge
Hours: Wed-Sun, 5pm-late
Details: facebook.com

Over four nights the best will be screened under the stars at the lovely Camelot Outdoor Cinema. Tonight is opening night and they’ll be screening the best of the Australian Shorts. Friday and Saturday see the best of the international films and Sunday, Short Laugh Comedy.

The lineup includes “The Boy in A Bubble,” from Germany, “Raju,” the moving story of an abducted Indian Orphan; “Las Palmas,” telling the story of a middle-aged lady which is played by the 1 year old daughter of writer and director, Johannes Nyholm, while the rest of the cast consists of puppets. If you’re after something Aussie, you can’t go past the hilarious “Fish and Chips,” a story of young Pauline Hansen.

There is certainly something for everyone at, so wander on down to Perth’s Camelot Outdoor Cinema, find a deckchair under the stars, grab a wine and see some of this year’s best short films.

Where: Camelot Outdoor Cinema, 16 Lochee Street, Mosman Park
When: 1st – 4^th March, 8 pm (including opening night drinks)
Tickets: $16.50 adult/ $12.50 concession/ $12 luna palace card
Details: flickerfest.com.au

In a move that has endeared them to customers even more, The Wine Store has expanded, and just last week opened the doors of its very own wine bar.

The wine bar emulates the breezy, stylish and historically rich neighbourhood surrounding it. Modern, neutral-coloured furniture rest against walls of floor-to-ceiling grainy photographs, punctuated by bright flashes of green from bowls of limes and potted plants.

With an entire bottle shop and basement wine cellar at its disposal, it’s no surprise that The Wine Store offers such unparalleled choice of national and international wines. Just pace yourself, because this is one long wine list.

Given just as much attention is the food at The Wine Store, which has a decidedly European and South American flair. The menu changes on a daily basis, but always utilises the best local produce available. We tried – and loved – the beef empanadas and can’t wait to come back for the Fremantle sardines on toast.

So throw that ratty picnic blanket in the wash, give that picnic basket a break and drop by the wine bar instead. The ants won’t thank you, but your palette sure will.

Where: 48 George Street, East Fremantle
Hours: Tue–Sun 5pm–late
Details: thewinestore.com.au

Kitsch-n Home Economics Cooking Classes is a series of ten classes held in Kitsch Bar’s open kitchen. While each chef demonstrates how to make their seasonal specialty, participants can watch on, taking notes and salivating. After the demonstration, everyone gets to feed on the freshly prepared masterpiece.

Have a sweet tooth? There’ll be a Chocolate and Champagne course  run by chefs Iain Lawless and Liam Atkinson. Like it hot? Clint Nolan, owner of Harvest and Who’s your Mumma?, will be demonstrating recipes from his brand new Mexican restaurant La Cholita. If you’re lucky, he’ll give pointers on how to whip up a wicked margarita, too!

Love beer? Then sign up for one of the two Beer Banquet classes taught by Anthony Williams from BEERtasters. He’ll be demonstrating his favourite dishes incorporating beer and also sharing what he reckons are the summer’s best beers.

We can’t promise you that an evening at Kitsch-n Home Economics will make you a culinary wizard, but we can promise you you’ll leave the class full and contented. Best of all? No ads. Take that, Manu!

Details:

Where: Kitsch Bar, 229 Oxford Street, Leederville
Hours: Throughout the year, classes start at 6pm
Price: $99/person
Details: kitschbar.com.au

As of tomorrow night, Northbridge’s Roe Street car park roof will been transformed into a ‘retro cinema oasis’ oozing a chilled-out, quirky vibe with astro turf, pink flamingoes, palm trees and a series of vintage caravans offering a tapas menu, snacks and a wide range of drinks.

You don’t need to bring a thing, Rooftop Movies have thought of everything. 250 brand new black and white deck chairs have been provided to lounge in, cheap nightly parking is available, built-in ramps have been included for wheel chairs and fully serviced bathroom facilities are available.

What better film to start off Rooftop Movies tomorrow night than with the cult classic, The Big Lebowski. Other films on offer in March include The Dark Knight, the old classic Casablanca, Picnic at hanging rock, The Proposition and the frenchie favourite Amelie.

In true Perth Sunday session style, Stella Artios Sunday Classics are sure to be a favourite with live jazz from 6pm. Head on down to Northbridge to be one of the first in Perth to enjoy Rooftop Movies.

Where: 68 Roe Street, Northbridge, WA
When: From 8pm Sunday to Thursday and 7pm for Weekend Doubles (Friday and Saturday).
Tickets: $10 for a single film or $15 for a weekend double. Add an extra $5 and get 2 hours parking or $8 and get parking all night.
Details: rooftopmovies.com.au

Perched on the prominent corner of William and James streets in Northbridge, the white walls and minimal décor may not catch your attention but the food certainly will. Aisuru Sushi has lovingly created a collection of innovative dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Are old faithfuls like edamame and California rolls on the menu? Sure. Would you be a fool to order them? We’re afraid so. Instead, do what we did and ask for the chef’s recommendation. He’s right in front of you rolling sushi in the open kitchen, so why not? He’ll recommend you start with the Sweet Corn Tempura. Watch him cut the kernels straight from the cob before frying them in tempura batter. He’ll then drizzle them with truffle oil and spicy shichimi togarashi flakes. The sweet-salty-crunchy-spicy combination will make you want to kiss the cook. Careful – he’s got a knife.

You can’t visit Aisuru Sushi without tasting the sushi, so give the Hawaiian Roll a try. It’s a wacky combination of mango, avocado and crab topped with salmon. Yes, most Japanese would giggle at the combination but that doesn’t make it any less yum.

For lovely Japanese nosh, Aisuru Sushi is where it’s at.

Where: 208 William Street, Northbridge
Hours: Tue–Sat lunch 11:30am–2:30pm and dinner 5–10pm
Phone: 08 9328 8578
Details: facebook.com

Situated inside the swish new Peppermint Grove library The Grove, Monogram Caffé is so much more than the simple coffee stand it appears to be at first glance. In fact, it offers everything you want from a library café – hot Fiori coffee, freshly baked treats – the delish lemon tarts are made by barista Thomas Greene himself – and a blessed absence of the grating sounds you find in most cafes. No grinding from the frappaciaterino-makers or dingalinging of the register. Instead, the only sounds come from murmured conversations, the turning of pages and the clink of cup to saucer. Oh, and did we mention that the black coffee is an unheard of $3?

While you’re there, have a squiz at The Grove itself. The library’s brand new facilities are on the cutting edge of ecological sustainability. The building houses a solar hot water, wind turbine and rainwater harvesting system that keeps the building’s energy use at an impressive low. But besides an interest in its environmental footprint, the library is keen on connecting people with words. There are enough comfy nooks and corners to tempt even the most reluctant reader to open a book or switch on their e-reader.

As long as Monogram keeps the coffee pot on, we’re thinking that readership won’t be a problem.

Where: 1 Leake Street, Peppermint Grove
Hours: From 9am weekdays and Sunday
Details: thegrovelibrary.net

Granted the recreation will be disposable and on a much (much) smaller scale than the real thing, the idea of the Home Sweet Home project is to get the creative juices flowing when it comes to architecture and city design.

You can even take ownership of a bar, nightclub or heck, why not become a zoo-keeper!? Although it may be a fiddly business creating all those animals out of cardboard…

The project is being launched at the WA Museum on Friday and will slowly build up over the ensuing week until completion on March 3. In addition, to celebrate the completion of the project a party will be held on the last night of the project, we’re unsure which cardboard creation will be chosen as the party venue though…

So get down to the WA Museum to play your part in creating a new Perth, and be sure to pop over the course of the project to keep an eye on what your neighbours up to!

Where: WA Museum, Perth Cultural Centre, 228 James Street
When: Feb 24 – Mar 3
Details: perthfestival.com.au

With a mix of Perth, Australian and International work, a large variety of whacky, hilarious, quirky, innovative and just plain cool stuff will be shown to the backdrop of the city lights.

Organised by Aska, a local, passionate animator, it’s a chance for the general public to get in touch with a world usually only viewed by enthusiasts. To make even it more appealing to the uninitiated, the organisers are running a side project that gives us all a chance to prove we too can come up with the next Toy Story.  They’ve called the competition Bunny Cakes; the public are presented with a title, character and piece of  music and asked to come up with either written, drawn or even, for the doodlers amongst us, their own animation. All the best ideas will be worked into a professional animation short film to be shown on the big screen.

Whether you’re a Shrekkie or just love those cartoon capers, Animators Hour is a chance to let your creative spirit run wild. Grab a beanbag and let the fantasy begin.

Where: Northbridge Piazza Super Screen
When: Thurs at 8:30pm 23 Feb-12 April
Details: animatorshour.com

The growing number of quality breweries in the southwest is changing the face of the region – and the festival will prove it. On hand will be breweries such as Bootleg, Colonial, Cowaramup, Cheeky Monkey, Duckstein and almost a dozen others. Besides having the chance to taste the beer, you can learn from the brewers themselves during the ’Meet the Brewer’ and ‘Beer Appreciation’ sessions.

When the need for solid sustenance strikes, twenty local food vendors will be on hand. The Margaret River Burger Bar will be flipping patties, Settlers Tavern will be serving their famed paella and Two Fat Cows will tempt you with gourmet, artisan ice cream. Reckon they’ll have stout-flavoured fro yo?

But the weekend is about more than good eating and drinking. The festival has invited a huge line-up of musical guests. Saturday you’ll be able to see the likes of Kris Buckle, Paige Trantham, Ill Starred Captain and local favourite Cowtown. Sunday will see headliners and Triple J Unearthed winners Spilt Seconds take the stage along with Kate Tillman, Qynn and others.

So ditch the chardonnay and head on down to Margaret River. Just don’t tell Ray Jordan.

Where: 3 Oceans Palandri Estate, corner of Bussell Hwy & Boundary Rd, Metricup
When: 25-26 Feb, 11am – 6pm
Price: $25 pre-sale, $35 at the door
Details: swbeerfest.com.au

This year’s show is set to rival New York’s summer series in Central Park, but forget about a plane ticket, you only have to head to City Beach.

See Serenade, inspired by the work of Tchaikovsky and created by father of American ballet, George Balanchine. A romance with a bite, dancers take you through an edgy tale of love and loss. This has fast become the signature piece of the New York Ballet.

WA ballet artistic director, Ivan Cavallari, follows with a Premier, his Strings 32 is set to the strains of Paganini and Kreisler. And just when you think your cultural bucket is filling up nicely,  WA Ballet  pulls a fast one  with a performance to the strains of Daft Punk and Maroon 5. Inspired by a New York Urban Legend, WA’s own Reed Luplau has created The Sixth Borough, an edgy ballet more like a movie than dance.

So pack your esky, grab a place under the stars and immerse yourself in fabulously choreographed ballet pieces from around the world.

Where: Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
When: 10 Feb-3 Mar
Details: www.waballet.com.au/

While the folk in Freo are just as unlikely as the next person to cut out extravagances come Ash Wednesday, they’re certainly welcoming the period of traditional Italian celebrations leading up to Lent.

In traditional times Lent was preceded by festive ‘carnevales’, and the same has been happening in Freo over the past ten days. But don’t worry – the best is yet to come.

In true accordance with traditional Carnevale’s, the last day of indulgence will be celebrated by the ‘trial’ and wake of the reigning king. It’s all about turning social order on its head, and at 6pm tomorrow King’s Square will become a celebration of ‘misrule’.

The celebrations will continue after the trial with a Mardis Gras and ‘wake’ at Clancy’s Fish Pub. The local Junkaholic Roving Brass Band will be doing their stuff with a concordant celebration of their ten years together.

So don your best masquerade outfit and mask and party as though you wont be able to come Wednesday. And don’t worry, we wont tell the big guy upstairs if you don’t actually follow through on your fasting…

Where: Kings Square, Fremantle, 6160
When: 6pm Tuesday 21 February
Details: fremantlecarnevale.org

Then Duchess Bar, the newest addition to Claremont Quarter, is for you. This boutique bar oozes glamour and opulence. Inside, richly wallpapered walls are adorned with ornate mirrors. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings and sumptuously upholstered furniture begs to be reclined in.

Duchess Bar has a huge selection of international and local wines and champagnes and an all-day food menu, which offers a gourmet spin on bar classics. We love the Burger Trio that includes a beef burger with Swiss cheese, house pickles and spicy tomato relish, a lamb burger with roasted capsicum and spiced yoghurt, and a chicken burger with pineapple salsa. Then there’s the Lamb Tagine Pizza with shredded lamb, apricots, almonds, rocket and yoghurt on a spiced tomato base. Perfect food to share with a bottle of bubbly.

But Duchess Bar is more than just an elegant watering hole. Every Wednesday night the bar hosts live jazz shows and on Saturdays, Elegant Tea is served, which includes mini sandwiches, quiches, sweet pastries, mini-scones and cupcakes. Not a bad way to end a day of shopping, really. Just be sure to leave the flip flops at home.

Where: The Lane, Claremont Quarter
Hours: Tue-Sat noon – midnight | Sun noon – 10pm
Details: duchessbar.com.au

Kitted out in retro decor, Run Amuk serves hot dogs made from high quality, locally made bratwurst sausages that comprise 70% pork, 30% beef and a blend of herbs and spices. Their chutneys, relishes, produce and cheeses – also locally sourced – are what turn an otherwise tasty hot dog into a taste explosion and are, according to them, “the best thing since moonshine”.

Take the “Tom Foolery” which contains a premium bratwurst, punchy tamarind chutney, aged cheddar, diced pink lady apple and baby spinach. Or the exhilaratingly spicy “Dare Devil” which includes a premium bratwurst, two specialty chilli sauces, lightly caramelised onions, aged cheddar, baby spinach, sliced green chillies and sour cream. See? They definitely aren’t your average dog.

If your mouth’s not already watering then perhaps you’re vegan or vegetarian? Don’t worry, you haven’t been forgotten. Any hot dog on the menu can be made with Run Amuk’s organic vegan sausages.

Forget New York – we reckon the best hot dogs can be found right on our doorstep. Run Amuk is sure to become a local haunt.

Where: 386A South Terrace, South Fremantle
When: Tue – Sun 11:30am – 9pm
Phone: (08) 9335 1216
Details: runamuk.com.au/

The Poppy Lissiman Addition boutique has popped up in Times Square, Claremont, and is sure to delight with international designs featuring crazy colour blocking and clashing. Who else would bring a garment mixing leopard print and bright stripes to Perth but Poppy Lissiman?

Poppy’s own collection is made for women who know what they want – a girl with confidence and flair. You’ll need to be to pull off some of these creations – check out the website for a taste of the most recent collection which demonstrates distinct middle-eastern flavours mixed with seventies tailoring.

Colour is key for Poppy, and not just during the sweltering summer heat.

The next collection set to fill the boutique shelves is currently being prepared for the oncoming Perth Autumn– we hear it will continue to feature the long flowing style seen in the summer collection, and of course retain the unique emphasis on a vibrant palette.

But the store also offers shoppers a selection of indulges from creators based in the United Kingdom, America and jewellery made specifically for the Perth store.

Poppy Lissiman is certainly succeeding in her goal of bringing something different to the discerning Perth fashionista, so make the most of the physical boutique to wander among the racks and peruse unique creations not offered by other fashion-houses.

Where: Shop 16 Times Square, Claremont, WA
When: Mon-Wed, Fri 10am – 5.30pm | Thurs 10am-8pm | Sat 10am-5pm
Details: poppylissiman.com/

Tucked in a cozy corner of Piazza Arcade in Fremantle is The Raw Kitchen Café, a restaurant proving that these raw foodists are on to something. Absolutely everything on the menu is made entirely from scratch and without the use of wheat, dairy, sugar or gluten.

Open just for lunch five days a week, the menu offers raw versions of lunchtime classics: a club sandwich on dehydrated flax cracker ‘bread’, vegie pizza on buckwheat crust and dehydrated corn chip nachos. Our favourite is the pasta – a dish of zucchini “spaghetti” in a marinara sauce and sprinkled with macadamia “parmesan cheese’. You won’t believe it’s not made from semolina.

Ordering a smoothie is a must, being The Raw Kitchen’s specialty, they are made using fresh almond milk, frozen fruit, greens, spices and a selection of superfoods. There’s even an Iced Coffee Frappe made with coffee, agave and cashew and macadamia milk. Yum!

The best part about lunching at the Raw Kitchen Café is how healthy it leaves you feeling… so healthy, in fact, that you’ll feel you deserve dessert. There are macaroons, organic bliss balls, Florentines and a berry chocolate cheesecake, to name a few.

If eating raw means eating this well, they’ll have to make room for us on the band wagon!

Where: Shop 14 Piazza Arcade, 36 South Terrace, Fremantle
Hours: Wed-Sat 11:30am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-4pm
Details: therawkitchen.com.au

The owners of Nahm Thai are dedicated to showing Perth a different side to Thai cuisine – one that’s refined, contemporary and thrillingly innovative. And it must be doing something right. The West Australian Good Food Guide 2012 awarded Nahm Thai the coveted two-star status, the highest honour bestowed this year on only 5 Perth restaurants.

The menu created by chef Kevin Pham is a collection of reinvented classics and unique creations, all of which display the chef’s genius. The décor complements the food perfectly, being minimal and classy. It’s refreshingly devoid of typical decorating clichés of Thai restaurants – think buddhas and lotus flowers – and is instead simple and understated. White table clothes are adorned with single candles. Wooden screens and sheer curtains make for elegant partitions.

We’re a wee bit excited that Nahm Thai have recently expanded into the next-door premises. Having just been granted their liquor licence, they plan to transform the space into a cocktail bar serving Thai-style tapas. The doors will open this autumn. If Nahm Thai uses the same innovative passion in its creation of cocktails that it does food, we can expect the bar to be raised a few notches.

Where: 223 Bulwer Street, Perth
Hours: Mon-Sat, 6-10pm
Phone: (08) 9328 7500

And it’s you, the audience and other unsuspecting members of the public that are its stars. Innovative, contemporary performance company, The Gob Squad, is a group of UK and German artists who have gained international acclaim for their cutting edge concepts of theatre.

The group explores the blurry lines where theatre meets performance, art and media as they deliver the banality of everyday life and soak it in the glitz of the big screen blockbuster. Using “super night shot”, a mode on video cameras used to film in dark conditions, four Gob Squaders set out one hour before performance time and take to the streets of Northbridge. They work together, without a director, on the concept and design of the evenings show; devising and performing their work and finding strangers for an onscreen kiss, an unlikely hero and planning car chases.

Filmed randomly as a rap video, musical or action movie, the audience only finds out on the night.  As the film travels through its climax, members of the public are involved in various scenarios, as the final moment is acted out, unwittingly, by the audience.

All four videos are played back simultaneously as a sound artist mixes sound effects live. See your city as never before and your place in it. Are you ready to shine?

Where: Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA, Northbridge
When: 10-12 Feb, 8.30pm
Details: perthfestival.com.au

The project began in St Louis in 2001 when New York artist Kurt Perschke was asked to create a temporary art-work in a random location of his choice. The most unglamorous ‘armpit’ site under a bridge was chosen as the prime spot to inflate the big red ball.

Next on the journey was Barcelona, but Perschke says an invitation to take the project to Sydney was when the ball really starting rolling.

On its return to Australia the ball will be inflated in 15 random locations around the city during the Perth Festival. You could find it an alleyway, park or under another bridge. But no matter where the enticing ball suddenly emerges it will no doubt draw people in.

Is it simply the juxtaposition of such a lively, bright orb against a city backdrop that demands attention? Perschke believes it’s not just about the ball; it’s about what the ball facilitates.

It’s all about interaction – this is a piece of art that’s not based on the ‘look, don’t touch’ theory. Perschke wants people to touch it and even bounce against it. And if someone is driving past and is stunned by the creation without even knowing it’s art, then the project has served its purpose.

So no matter where you’re going over the next three weeks, don’t forget your camera – the RedBall could end up anywhere!

Where: Undisclosed – it’s all part of the fun!
When: 10 Feb – 03 March
Details: www.perthfestival.com.au

Walking through the door, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into Africa. Brightly coloured flags hang from the ceiling, the walls are adorned with traditional woven textiles and artwork and tables are dotted with mesobs – the colourful straw baskets that group meals are served in.

And eating in a group is how this cuisine is best experienced. Ethiopian cuisine characteristically consists of thick, spicy stews called wats, made of vegetables and meat. The different wats are served atop flatbread that resembles sourdough, called injera. Instead of using utensils, Ethiopians eat with their right hands, using chunks of injera to scoop up the wat.

Besides wat and injera, the Ethiopian Café and Artifacts menu offers other traditional dishes such as tibs, marinated meat sautéed with spices, and yeshimbra assa, chickpea fritters cooked with berbere – a mixture of spices that dominates Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.

Once finished with your meal, don’t pass up the chance to participate in a coffee ceremony, which takes place in a purpose-built tent. In Ethiopian culture, the making and drinking of coffee is revered – surely due to the fact that the drink originated there.

Right in front of your eyes, the coffee beans are roasted over hot coals and then ground in a wooden mortar and pestle. The coffee grounds are then boiled twice in a special pot called a jebena before being poured through a horsehair filter. The perfect end to a delicious meal.

So if you’re tastebuds are in need of an exotic vacation, this Hamilton Hill restaurant is well worth a visit. Because a change really does do you good.

Where: 427 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill
When: Thu-Sat, 5-10pm
Details: ethioca.com

Pronounced “three-nine-nine”, this quirky little cocktail bar is nestled in the heart of Northbridge’s Chinatown amongst pho bars and Asian grocery stores. In fact, you’d be forgiven for having a hard time spotting it on your first visit. Unassuming though its exterior may be, 399′s interior is anything but. The small venue comprises a long, narrow space punctuated by soft lighting, Elvis gospel melodies and the lovely sound of ice rattling in martini shakers.

Deep booths line the wall facing the bar, filled with happy regulars sipping their favourite cocktails and enjoying the tapas-style menu. Yes, 399 knows how to mix a cocktail. These bartenders are some of Perth’s best – no cocktail request, however unheard-of or imprecise, goes unanswered. The bartenders seem, in fact, to relish the challenge, seeing as how they keep their cocktail menus well out of reach. If you’ll believe it, customers who visit on a Monday are invited to bring a mystery ingredient that the bartender will incorporate into their cocktail. How’s that for fun?

Need another reason to love them? 399 is also open for breakfast 7 days a week. Besides its gorgeous coffee, the kitchen’s claim to fame is the 399 Bloody Breakfast, which, for $20, buys you a full brekky with a Bloody Mary on the side when you drop by on the weekend.

Don’t miss the upcoming Metaxa Triathlon Cocktail Competition held at 399 on 19 February. Teams of two from various Perth bars will compete in this multi-stage competition that requires them to find a quirky cocktail ingredient from the shops of Northbridge’s Chinatown, in costume. The team who uses that ingredient to make the winning drink will be crowned the champions.

Where: 399 William St, Northbridge
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-midnight, Sun 10am – 10pm
Details: 399bar.com

An upscale delicatessen and providore in North Fremantle by the name of The Black Truffle represents the new generation of the Aussie milk bar – a place where, alongside your milk and newspaper, you can find gourmet imported oil, freshly baked bread and a perfectly crafted flat white. How’s that for an improvement?

The husband and wife team behind The Black Truffle ran a successful catering company by the same name before expanding into the shop that opened its doors just three weeks ago. Their passion for food and Italian heritage are evident everywhere. The kitchen creates a huge array of food for customers on the go: pasta dishes, freshly made salad, made-to-order sandwiches and preservative-free, ready-made meals. There’s a gorgeous selection of imported and local cured meat, cheese and antipasti such as arancini and croquettes. Good luck choosing between the dozen olive varieties on offer.

Lining the walls are shelves stocked with items that will take pride of place in your pantry, such as truffle-infused oil, squid ink pasta, preserves and sauces.

The Black Truffle is at its busiest first thing in the morning, as their already loyal local customers complete their morning ritual: a cup of Dimattina coffee, the morning paper, a take-away sandwich for lunch perhaps even a chat with a neighbour who’s there for the same reason. The milk bar may be a thing of the past, but the spirit lives on.

Where: 82 Stirling Hwy, North Fremantle
Hours: Daily 7am – 7pm
Details: theblacktruffle.com.au

The Steel Tree @ The Foreshore is a relaxed, up market cafe/restaurant not to be ignored. Its walls adorned with abstract art, owners Clint, Charlotte have created a cool space by the picturesque foreshore. Named to symbolise Rockingham’s history of transporting Tuart trees, the first Steel Tree restaurant, The Steel Tree @ Settlers in Baldivis, opened in 2006. Its rapid success led to The Steele Tree @ The Foreshore only four years later. In 18 short months, it has gathered a reputation for casual dining by day and more intimate food experiences during the evening.

The extensive menu is a mix of Australian Tucker, Italian and Asian fare with an great vegetarian selection. Head chef, Owen Chaytor, rustles up a delicious Haloumi salad, a welcome tastebud tickler for jaded vego diners used to being offered a one-meal option. And if you’re there for a something a little sweeter, you won’t be disappointed with the selection of sugar overloads on offer; the apple and cinnamon vol au vents are a revelation. With some unusually good value lunch and brekkie specials, being a good reason to pop in before you reach the sea and sand.

Whether you’re in need of a quick stop for a coffee after a briny dip, or something intimate of an evening by the beach, don’t pass this one by.

Where: Shop 3/7 Railway Terrace, Rockingham
When:  7 days, 8.30 til late
Phone:  9527 1777
Details: steeltree.com.au

Using tales from his own run-ins with authority, Captain Ruin shares his observations and ideas for social order. He has travelled some of the most challenging of places of the world, learning the ancient arts of balance from Indian sadhus, drinking bootleg whiskey with atheists in Iran and being incarcerated in a Turkish Prison for six weeks, before popping his handcuffs in the back of a police van.

Captain Ruin’s show is interactive, as he presents cabaret routines that are then chosen by the audience. He deftly weaves this with topical social comedy, satire and circus to create the Perfect One Night Stand; fun, unique, and a little bit dirty. Ruin is funny, playful and irreverent and Melbourne’s Age has called him “Slapstick on Speed.”  If a raw, raunchy, punk variety show is your idea of a perfect one night stand, grab your tickets while you can.

Where: Treasury Mess Hall, Barrack Street, Perth
When: 4-7^th Feb
Details: fringeworld.com.au

See Shakespeare get a serious makeover as the characters in the comedy “Alls Well That Ends Well” are played by tea cups, hobby horses and cartoons. The fun continues with London writer Anna Bennetts double bill of new television sitcom “The Same Paige,” and the hilarious “Janey Does Standup.”

The controversial South African play “Miskien” comes direct from a sell out run at the Amsterdam Fringe.  Performed in English and Afrikaans, best friends, both in dead-end jobs, wait for Happy Hour at the end of each day. It has been called a comedy that takes itself seriously and has received international acclaim. And from Ireland comes the story “Missing”, from young, upcoming writer Sandi Buckley. A young man finds himself homeless. It is an idiosyncratic narrative and despite the seriousness of the subject matter, is infused with plenty of laughs.

And if dance is more your thing, the Summer Nights program provides a third of all the Fringe dance events. Find out what really goes on in the ladies loos with “Occupied.”  Bold, edgy and witty it shows a night out for three young girls that is not as harmless as it seems.

And beyond the laughs at the human condition, is the real life tragedy.  Sydney writer Ali Kennedy Scott brings the award winning “The Day the Sky Turned Black” an examination of the Black Saturday bushfires. With six shows a night across two venues, there’s something here to tickle everyone’s fancy.

Where: Blue Room Theatre | 53 James Street | Northbridge
When: 29 Jan – 19 Feb
Details : pacs.org.au/
Tickets: from $15-$35

We’re especially excited about the Laneway Night Markets, happening this weekend. Over 45 stallholders will be setting up shop in Hook and Lock Lanes in Northbridge, in a weekend devoted to celebrating the kick-off of the festival, Chinese New Year and WA’s amazing local talent.

For the fashionistas, you’ll find stall upon stall selling one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories. Buy a hat from All The Pretty Ones Are, laser-cut jewellery from White Square, or an outfit from Freo-based label Wild.Horses. Or if op shopping is more your flavour, there are heaps of stalls selling vintage threads.

Then there are stalls selling art and home wares, which are sure to remind you of that gift you were meant to buy. Choose from screen prints, stationery, photographs, paintings, toys, flowers and stencil art.

If you’re interested in getting a bite to eat, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Grab some spicy tacos from La Cucaracha or a steaming plate of paella from Ole Paella. Finish it off with a visit to Jean Pierre Sancho, voted best bakery in Australia, for one of their unbelievably delicious macaroons. Or, if the heat is getting to you, pay a visit Delish Ice for a hand-made popsicle made from the season’s freshest produce.

Once you’re finished exploring, sit back and enjoy the free entertainment. Saturday night will see a performance by The Lost Circus – a three-person troupe whose act seeks to remind us of the circus’s long forgotten attractions. On Sunday night, shoppers will be treated to a live performance by the five-piece band Swingset.

Where: Hook and Lock Lanes, Northbridge
Hours: Sat 28 Jan, 5-10pm, Sun 29 Jan, 3-8pm
Details: www.onwilliam.com.au

Orphaned as children, the brother and sister found shelter in a Berlin squat and found their comedic and musical genius. They have, they say, never looked back. Their newest show, Eurosmash, is their fourth full-length performance and has come after five years of sell out performances in New York, Edinburgh, Montreal and Dublin. Just back from Canada and the US, Eurosmash sees its debut in our own fair city.

Watch as the siblings bicker, wrestle with uncooperative equipment, and bash and dance their way through our stereotypes of Euro pop music. They are hilarious and irreverent, and it is often impossible to decide just what is real, and what is actually part of the show.  And this is part of their undoubted magic. And Just when you think it’s all Euro pop, the comic duo lift the roof off with their high octane music. A wild rock n roll cabaret with catchy pop and rock songs interrupted by great comedy, they have received rave reviews around Australia and the World.  So hang on to your seats, the Germans are coming.

Where: Spiegeltent, Fringe World
When: 27 Jan – 1 Feb
Details: fringeworld.com.au

BBQ at The Aviary
The Aviary is taking the traditional Aussie Barbie to new heights by opening up its rooftop for celebrations. Spend the afternoon kicking back in the sun listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown before catching fireworks from surrounding buildings.
Details: theaviaryperth.com.au

Fireworks on the Esplanade
When it comes to big time celebrations, it’s hard to bypass fireworks. If you head on down to the esplanade you will be treated to around 30,000 pyrotechnic shots from 8pm. Set off with a soundtrack from MIX94.5, it’s bound to have jaws dropping.
More info: showmeperth.com.au

Take a cruise with Captain Cook
If the chaos of watching the fireworks from the esplanade is too much for you, Captain Cook Cruises has the answer. They’re offering people an Australia Day special to watch the extravaganza from the water. Departing Freo at either 5:30pm or 6pm, cruise up the Swan River to Barrack Square
More info: captaincookcruises.com.au

Party
The end of the fireworks doesn’t have to mean the end of celebrations – why not hit up one of the many parties planned for the night. The Fringe World Festival kicks off again this week and includes Australia Day celebrations at the Spiegeltent and The Treasure Chest. For something a little different The Bakery in Northbridge is promising the perfect haven. It’s hosting a line-up of Aussie bands from 6pm, as well as House musicians ITAL all the way from the US.
More info: fringeworld.com.au

The Classroom is one part time-capsule and one part trendy small bar. Thanks to donations by local schools and some lucky finds on Ebay, the design pays tribute to school-day memories from the 70s and 80s: the walls are lined with dusty chalkboards, retro lunchboxes, gold embossed encyclopaedia sets, rusty pencil sharpeners and faded school satchels. Recycled wooden school desks and benches make for quirky tables, and the bar’s collection of spirits reside in a row of repurposed gym lockers. A one-of-a-kind mural by celebrated local graffiti artist Stormie Mills shows a sheepish-looking schoolchild under the repeated phrase “I must not draw on the walls”.

But while the bar’s unique fit out is a major draw card, the food and drinks on offer demonstrate the Classroom’s true creative strength. The drinks menu is divided into three “subjects”. The History drinks comprise old school cocktails with decidedly new school flair. For those who love experiments, the Science drinks come bubbling, smoking or aflame. And the Art cocktails are a marriage of colour, flavour and imagination. Naturally, wine and beer are also available. The food menu, on the other hand, is a cheeky – yet gourmet – spin on the canteen classics like mac and cheese, meat pie and the toastie.

Consider this a cheat sheet on the Classroom’s ordering process, which we think is half the fun:

Step #1: Sharpen your no. 2 pencil using the sharpener bolted to your desk
Step #2: Complete the multiple-choice “test” of your order
Step #3: Hand it in to one of the teachers (otherwise known as bartenders) who will give you a pencil case containing your order’s pager in return
Step #4: Bide your time by having a go at the ancient headphones playing beginner lessons in German and Italian
Step #5: Pick up your food from the canteen – don’t forget the tray!
Step #6: Reminisce about your long forgotten school days…. maybe they weren’t so bad after all.

Due to open mid-February it’s a little while off opening, but much like going back to school, we know you’ll need some time to prepare!

Where: 356 Charles Street, North Perth
Hours: Wed – Sun, 11am – late
Details: theclassroom.com.au

Steve Mallinder’s Offworld productions, started in 1996, has the aim of putting on great dance parties everyone can afford. Starting with underground dance parties, attracting big name DJs, since 2004 they have run the successful Good Vibrations event with Jam Music. It is though, without doubt, The Sets of the Beach that is their real jewel in their “King Of Dance Party” crown

This year sees another inspired line-up, headlined by Berlin group The Whitest Boy Alive. This is a band known for creating energetic pop that bridges the gap between dance and rock. With influences from Talking Heads to Daft Punk, their enigmatic live show will undoubtedly shake up the party.

And it can’t get much better than sets from music producer Shazam. Originally from the US, Shazam  has remixed Empire of the Sun, Calvin Harris, Munk, Sneaky Sound System plus many more greats.  Luckily for us, Shazam now calls Perth home. This chart-topping producer of classic dance tracks promises to keep the vibe moving.

This is the first of the years Sets series, the next, Volume 6, is on the 19 Feb. With sell out shows the last couple of years, you’d better grab those tickets while you can.

Where: Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre
When: 22 Jan | 1:30-9pm
Details: offworldproductions.com.au

This one of a kind event in the stunning location of Yallingup, brings together surfers, film buffs, and environmentalists as they share stories of the human spirit.  Brainchild of Jesca Maas, local surfer and film buff, the festival combines her personal love of the sport, passion for nature and films to create an event unique across Australia.

A team of world-class panellists have provided a selection of films to inspire as well as entertain. The film “Minds In The Water” tells the story of professional New Age surfer Dave Rastovich’s mission to help stop the worldwide slaughter of dolphins and whales. It shows how he builds a team of filmmakers, journalists, musicians, eco-pirates, celebrity surfers and even a professional mermaid in his quest. Clive Nesson’s award winning film “Last Paradise” showcases Nesson’s astonishing footage collected over forty years in the quest for extreme sports. And among the hi octane surf, fabulous scenery and inspirational stories, there is the sublimely beautiful “The Still Point” by Taki Bibelas. Inspired by TS Eliot’s poetry it looks at the unique connection we have with the ocean through the voices of the world’s most well known surfers.

Organisers are expecting more than 2000 people to attend this year. So with or without your surfboard; grab your picnic blanket, pack that Esky, head south and get inspired.

Where: Yallingup and Dunsborough
When: 20-22 Jan
Details and tickets: http://www.yallingupsurfilm.com.au

The group will perform at The Bakery in Northbridge on Thursday – if perform is the right word to describe what they do.

Is it art or is it music? Well, apparently it’s both. Lead performer Trash McSweeney suffered a seizure ten years ago and survived with the additional ability of seeing colour through music. The result of tapping into this rare ability has been The Red Paintings collaboration.

The five piece group integrates live art creation alongside musical performance. Views differ on whether the result is visionary and enlightening or just plain disturbing.

But regardless, it’s an event you won’t want to miss if you’re one for delving in to new experiences and worlds. If you’re feeling really adventurous the group is also looking for volunteers to be part of the show – well their body at least.

It’s renowned for creating human canvasses, and need some people willing to help the inspiration flow…

If you’d rather sit back and watch the drama unfold, get in quick to get your hands on tickets. They’re fresh off the boat from the US and have embarked on the Australian tour as a direct result of demand – they asked fans to hit ‘like’ on their Facebook page and promised to tour if the number surpassed 1000. Needless to say, it did. Surely that’s a big enough indicator of the promise these guys hold.

Where: The Bakery, 233 James Street
When: Thursday 19 Jan, 8pm.
Price: $30 nowbaking.com.au
Details: facebook.com

Started in 1995, WA’s Lunar Circus toured some of the most remote regions of Australia and then the world. And since 2004 have taken over a site at Karridale, 30km south of Margaret River, hosting the first WA Circus Festival in 2007. Following their popular circus school in January each year, the festival showcases nonstop circus action with acclaimed performers from Australia and across Europe. It is, say organisers, an acrobatic, musical and comedic spectacle and promises a weekend to entertain and amaze.

Take Belfast’s contemporary Tumble Circus. It is the circus of the absurd as performers Ken Fanning and Tina Segner tell the tale of their own relationship since meeting in Dublin in the mid 1990s. Using slapstick, acrobatics, death defying aerial feats and flying hula hoops they take you on their journey, as they fall in and out of love. Their act attracted rave reviews and a nomination for Best Circus Show at the Adelaide Fringe last year.

And there’s not just the dazzle of the Big Top, an onsite restaurant features live music each day and a workshop tent lets you try your hand, without tinnies, at some circus magic. On Sunday, the festival hosts an adult themed circus show and we can only guess at the kind of juggling this could involve.

Where: Vansitart Rd, Karridale, 6285
When: 21-23rd Jan
Details: lunarcircus.com

Deville’s takes you to a new world of devilment, its Hell with cocktails and comfy seats, instead of demons. Revamping an old Karaoke bar three years ago, Wonder Bar Designs have come up with something unique, cheeky and just plain fun. Catering to the over 25 crew, it maintains its ambiance. And this Friday, Devilles Pad is hosting the Prohibition Party which promises to be anything but, with its vintage glamour and cocktails. Featuring the acclaimed seven piece swing band Lucky Seven from Adelaide in full 1930s gangster garb, the raunchy retro song bird Harry Deluxe and DJs Franco Berry and Alissa Jane spinning the vinyls, it’s a night to pull out your most glam outfits and swing away what’s left of Black Friday. If you dare.

Where: Devilles Pad, Aberdeen Street, Perth, 6000
When: Fri 13 Jan
Details: devillespad.com

Inspired by the Sydney Olympic Beach volleyball competition at Bondi Beach in 2000, festival Director Andrew Lemon masterminded an event to recapture the headiness of that first beach volleyball spectacular. By 2005, SLAM volleyball had grown so much, the event was taken on tour around the nation. There are three levels of competition; the Cup, The Plate and The Bowl. And this year a new “King of The Beach” event will see the volley balling elite of the State smash it out in the sand and sun.

Regularly attracting 400 competitors at each venue, and around 2000 revellers, SLAM also attracts local and national celebs as hosts. Scarborough Beach has hosted the event the past seven years and SLAM is now firmly in the WA festival fixtures. It is without doubt the biggest national volleyball event in the southern hemisphere with 3000 competitors taking part nationally.

And once you’ve watched teams, sweat, leap and throw themselves around the sand, the music kicks its stuff from 5:30. A line up featuring Hook n Sling, the brilliant dance outfit and three times Aria nominee Potbelleez, as well as dance floor rebel Kaz James of the Ministry of Sound, will guarantee burning off any energy you may have left, and keep you jigging till the sun dips.

Where: Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre, Scarborough, 6019
When: 15 Jan starts at 1200-530, music festival 530-8pm
Price: $50
Details: slamfestival.com.au/scarborough.php

The Origins Popup Cafe is the latest edition, with a store now open in the Feast Your Eyes exhibition space on the High Street. It comes following the huge success of the wholesome cafe The Attic, which is housed in an old storeroom off South Terrace.

The love of good coffee creation has flowed down the road to the new Popup and promises to give the caffeine-addicted just the hit they need, with slow drip coffee even available.

It’s clear those making your brew really know their stuff when it looks like a science experiment is being conducted to create the perfect cup.

If coffee’s not for you, then there’s undoubtedly something in the vast array of herbal teas to tickle your taste buds. How about a cup of ‘Blue Mosque’? – the mind boggles…

The great thing about Popups is they’re never really just one thing, and Origins is no exception. Their collaboration with the Feat Your Eyes art collective allows customers the opportunity to muse over work from local artists while waiting for the caffeine to kick in – Sarana Haeata’s first solo exhibition ‘The Show’ will be adorning the walls until January 18.

But like all good things, it’s for a limited time only. As quickly as it came, Origins will vanish again towards the end of March…

Where: 101 High Street, Freemantle, 6160
Hours: Daily 8.30am – 4.00pm
Details: Facebook.com

For heart stopping wave jumps, aerial acrobatics and radical wave rides, check out the wave sailing as competitors attempt to out manoeuvre, out jump and do amazing but downright scary stuff on water. It is by far the most spectacular of the four days. Saturday sees competitor’s splash, fly and leap their way from Ledge Island to Lancelin in the iconic marathon. It is considered the pinnacle of the race. Last year, the marathon trophy was taken by 12 time world champ and wind surfing legend, Bjorn Dunkerbeck.

And if all that hasn’t taken your breath away, Sunday’s slalom is speedster paradise with windsurfers reaching an astounding 90km an hour. For those of us opting to stay on the dry side of the board, and organisers estimate around 3000 spectators to descend on Lancelin, there’s the Party in the Park to kick off the event on Thursday. Then grab your spot on the beach, and gaze in wonder at the world’s best in action.

When: 12-15 Jan
Where: Lancelin
Details: lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Theatre company Shakespeare WA has been responsible for bringing the Botanic Gardens alive in past years with productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo & Juliet.

But this year the challenge has increased three-fold as the company embarks on a rolling ‘festival’ style event with three different shows lined up.

Audiences have the chance to sit back and be entertained by a 1980s version of The Comedy of Errors, a parody presentation of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare direct from London’s West End, and The Tempest.

With tickets priced at $44 for one show, or $112 for all three plays (Monday to Thursday) it’s a relatively inexpensive opportunity to see some of the greatest works in a setting no doubt much nicer than your own back yard.

So how do you get in? Tickets can be bought online for each of the shows and then it’s just a matter of packing a picnic and lugging along the camping chairs – don’t bring the high-backed ones though or you’ll just get lumped at the back.

Also, no glass, dogs or alcohol unfortunately – but no doubt the performances will be stimulating enough without the need for champers or beer.

Getting along quick it’ll all be wrapped up for another year come February 4^th.

Where: Pioneer Women’s Memorial, Kings Park, West Perth
Hours: Gates open at 7pm, shows start at 8pm
Price: From $19 for students – $44 for adults. Children free
Details: shakespearewa.com/

The cafe has been operating as an independent business within the walls of the local Moores Building for about three years and gives art and coffee lovers a spot to indulge their vices simultaneously.

The ‘creaky and cranky’ atmosphere of the gallery is renowned for giving artists an alternative space to exhibit their talent. Food signs are written straight onto the cabinet daily (pear, chocolate and macadamia tart, cinnamon cake, and mama’s carrot cake…) while the furniture is mismatched in the true eclectic style synonymous with the contemporary art scene.

The menu focuses mainly on brunch offerings with typical Australian meals, but it’s the liquids that really get the juices flowing…

We won’t mention the honeycomb affogato again, ok so we did, but what about a Rooibos latte? Head baristas, Perth brothers Tom and Jessie Wearne, are responsible for giving connoisseurs the traditional herbal tea that’s poured through the coffee machine – difficult to comprehend without experiencing first-hand.

Owner/Manager Simon Maber has made some changes in recent months – a new head chef has taken over the culinary reigns while the kiddies corner is almost up for action. Parents can enjoy a laid back cuppa and soak up the relaxing surroundings, while also being content that the kids are happy tackling the new mini-putt challenge. Could this Freo gem have anything, eh, moore, to offer?

Where: 46 Henry St, Moores Building Art Gallery, Freemantle, WA 6160
Hours:  Mon – Sun 7am – 4
Details: mooreandmoorecafe.com 

It’s like this: Badminton Bandit is a local, independent record label. Coastal Shelf is a DIY print media and publication outlet. And Galleria is an artist-run initiative that sticks its middle finger up at galleries that are dictated by funding and sales.

It’s an interesting mix, and it sure as hell makes for an interesting event. But unlike your average shindig, you don’t have to make a playlist, heat up the party pies or clean up.

You’ll get to hear mixes by Craig McElhinney that sound like backing tracks for tie-dyed trips in Woodstock vans, Rabbit Island’s sweet and mellow acoustics, Traianos Pakioufakis’ drone mixes, and Jane Harris’ soft, folk melodies. Clearly there’s something for everyone.

In place of defrosted party snacks will be homemade veggie treats. It’s to help them “pay the rent” and you won’t be disappointed. For the carnivores, Jame’s Doohan’s Mystery Meats screen-prints will be on display. Admittedly, it has nothing to do with meat or eating, instead it’s an exhibition of posters inspired by music and noise gigs. Sound weird? Badminton Bandit thrives on weird.

Galleria also features a decent spread of art and design books, but if music is more your thing, get involved in the Badminton Bandit post-Christmas record sale. Oh, and the deal-sealer? It’s BYO.

Where: Galleria, 55 Wittenoon St, East Perth
When: Sun Jan 8 | 7pm
Details: badmintonbandit.com

This year Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss will woo the crowd alongside acts such as Kyla Brox Band from the UK, the slow Blues/Latin funk of the US Scotties Miller Band and acclaimed Australian folk/indie outfit, The Lucky Wonders.  For festival organiser Rob Wignalls, what started out as a chat with a mate over a pint, has morphed into one of the most iconic festivals in the State. From around 800 people in 1996, this year’s bash is set to attract in excess of 3000.

Rob insists that each year local bands are also on the bill and with that in mind, the brilliant Blue Shaddy, Albany’s own The Pepperjacks and WAMI award winner Simon Keane will have the crowd baying for more of the glorious and diverse sounds that make up The Blues.

Despite the impressive line up, you don’t need to be a hard core, fedora wearing guy swinging his harmonica. Wignalls prides itself on creating a showcase for headline grabbing and emerging artists in a family friendly environment.

Where: Wignalls Winery, Albany
When: Sat Jan 7
Tickets: $60 in advance and $65 at the gate.
Details: www.vintageblues.com.au

For a fifth year, Gloucester Park Race Course is set to host The Nights of Thunder Race heats, giving you the chance to sit back and watch the dust fly to the sound of thundering hooves. Three heats will be run on December 30 with horses finishing first, second, and third gaining a place in the final on January 6 and a chance to pick up $50,000 in winnings. Last year the heats attracted a crowd of 2000 and the final saw more than 3000 spectators.

It is, according to organisers, the perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of the most up and coming class of horses in the state with Nights of Thunder winners tending to go on to be very successful. Four year old Lombo Navigator, owed by Matt White, took first place last year, and is considered a rising star of the circuits.

But it’s not all about the horses, Gloucester Park is laying on live music between the heats and little ones are sure to be kept entertained with the jumping castle.

Of course, after all that trotting, you’ll be needing refreshments and Steelo’s alfresco deck and bar right by the finishing post couldn’t get you much closer to the action. You might also take up the offerings at the award winning Beau Rivage Restaurant with it’s view of the entire racetrack and backdrop of the Swan River.

And if a night of betting of the trots just isn’t enough, perhaps try your luck at the on site casino.

Where: Gloucester Park, 4 Nelson Crescent, East Perth 
When: 30 Dec, Gates open at 5pm (race times to be announced)
Details: gloucesterpark.com.au

The new Barque Restaurant on George Street is tipped to be a sure success with an extensive menu of sharing plates coupled with fine wine, desserts and even cocktails.

The owner of the restaurant, Therese O Toole, has made use of veteran Perth chef Gary Bennett’s talents and they’ve together created a menu which promises to delight. Good old house pickled vegetables, duck and shitake spring rolls and braised pork hock are all on offer.

The pair promise diners an ‘aromatic ocean trail from the lands of spice and cinnamon, schezuan, clove and cassia’. For them, the emphasis has been on creating a ‘culinary journey’ around the Southern lands while using the finest local produce.

The establishment has just opened after a restoration which involved converting a colonial Freo house into the new culinary destination. The result has been the successful creation of a relaxed dining atmosphere with tables big enough to accommodate the idea of sharing numerous plates among friends. We also love the solid wooden look! A bright and breezy interior design also enables the restaurant to easily slide from lunch to evening dining.

As for the liquids – the wine list has something for everyone with delights from both far and wide, there’s Japanese beer, and their cocktail list is truly impressive with concoctions such as the Green Tea Sin, Misty Sailor or Saketini.

Whether you’re in the mood for lunch, dinner or even Sunday brunch, Barque promises to deliver something different while retaining dedication to the cause – a top quality feast of flavours.

Where: 125 George Street, East Fremantle, WA, 6158
When: Wed – Sat 11am – 11 pm | Sun 10am – 4pm
Details: barquerestaurant.com.au

For those lucky enough to live within reach of a Jean Pierre Sancho bakery, we envy you. They beat 338 to claim the title of Australia’s Best Bakery, were named Perth’s Best Coffee Shop by the Restaurant & Catering Association in June 2011 and their macarons and croissants were voted top 3 in Perth by the Sunday Times.

Opened by Albin Sancho back in 1904 in Lodeve, in the south of France, the first Sancho bakery passed from his son Albert to grandson Jean Pierre. When Jean passed his ancient family recipes and baking methods onto Frenchmen Stephane Gruson, Corentin Laumaille and Franck Durolek, plans were in motion for Perth’s first boulangerie-patisserie. Now one of 3 in WA, the trio opened their first Jean Pierre Sancho on Hay Street in 2010 and the Northbridge outpost opened only months ago.

Handmade using the finest, local ingredients, they supply bread to WA’s finest restaurants, including Neil Perry’s Rockpool. A long fermentation process and 100 year old recipe is the key to flavour and keeping qualities.

If you’re early, settle in for a brekkie – perhaps a croissant. For lunch, try one of their quiches or perhaps a baguette or toastie. Made from their own Faluche bread, fillings range from classic ham, cheddar and tomato to chicken, brie and tomato with seeded mustard. Later on, a coffee eclair or delice au chocolate makes the perfect pick-me-up.

All go nicely with an espresso, made using certified fair trade organic beans but when the sun shines, sub your latte for a fruit granite in the sun.

Bon appétit, indeed.

Where: 878 Hay St, Perth | 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth | 270 Williams St, Northbridge
When: Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm | Mon-Fri 6.30am-4pm | Mon-Fri 8am-4pm | Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Details: jpsancho.com.au

This sort of treasure trove is exactly what Northbridge-based company Rummage offers those who may be struggling to find the perfect gift as the big day draws nearer.

It’s somewhat difficult to describe exactly what this store is – other than a delightful accumulation of whimsical clothing and accessories: sexy swimwear, an onslaught of colour-blocked handbags, sunglasses and accessories to bring out the most daring side of every girl’s fashion sense.

The company’s mantra: “Life is too short to blend in” is evident in every piece– you’ll have more difficulty finding a commonplace accessory as opposed to something quirky and fun.

Owner Emily Gibson – a professional costume designer now focussing on fashion – launched Rummage in 2005 in an attempt to give those ‘creative consumers’ artistic treasures which will give them the ability to evoke individuality and a sense of excitement.

Rummage certainly does that. Since the beginning it has brought together individual creations from designers both far and wide, presenting them as wholesale opportunities while also exhibiting at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and Life Instyle. A little over a year ago Gibson brought the fashion to the streets with the opening of her first ever store in Northbridge.

If everyone made Rummage a destination on their Christmas shopping journey, we seriously doubt people would still be struggling with the “I don’t know what to get…” line.

But Rummage is just not for Christmas. Keep an eye out for exciting 2012 additions as the company launches headlong into its second year of physical operation.

Where: 282 William Street, Northbridge, WA, 6003
When: Mon – Thu 10:30am – 6pm | Fri 10:30am – 7pm | Sat 10:30am – 5pm | Sun 12pm – 5pm
Details: rummagedesigns.com.au

The owners of this new espresso bar have chosen Fremantle’s New Edition Bookshop as the site for coffee lovers and foodies alike to get back to basics with the brilliance that comes only from truly good quality food and caffeine.

Nestled amongst the books in the High Street store, the cafe welcomes visitors with a minimalist and slightly retro tinted ambience – the floral tables and milkos on the counter are bound to take those of a certain age back to their childhood, while the pot plants and locals playing backgammon cultivate a relaxed atmosphere.

The cafe artwork is a spray-painted stencil, the pricing board handwritten (not bad either with coffee and a bagel for less than $10), and the cakes really do look as though they’ve come straight from Mum’s oven.

This is the place to come if you want to feel like you’re spending the afternoon on your front porch, but with better coffee than your own home-made concoction.

And the owners have kept the operation patriotic by sourcing coffee beans direct from Western Australia’s own Crema Gourmet Coffee Roasters. The end result has the cafe already bearing a bold title with locals claiming it’s got the best brew in all of Perth.

With reviews like that we think the cafe with a ‘secret garden’ feel won’t stay that way for long – check it out now before word gets out!

Where: New Edition Bookstore, 82 High Street, Fremantle, WA 6160
When: Mon-Fri 7:30am – 5pm | Sat 8am – 7pm | Sun 9am – 5pm
Details: thegrumpysailor.com.au

The literal meaning of Petite Mort is quite simply ‘little death.’ But dig a little deeper and you discover it’s actually a French idiom for orgasm – not just another innocent French restaurant after all.

It’s not only the name of the restaurant where Todd Stuart and Ash Wilcox have gone out on a limb – they’ve also done away with the traditional line-up of entree, main and dessert.

Instead, this fine dine experience in the former residence of Star Anise on Shenton Park offers diners the opportunity to try numerous entree-sized dishes. It’s recommended about 5-6 of the 17 dishes would satisfy a typical three-course meal appetite. Perfect for the indecisive eaters among us!

Stuart made a mark for himself in Perth’s culinary scene as head chef of Bouchard, and his French inspired expertise are replicated in dishes such as duck liver parfait, marinated octopus and goats cheese pithivier.

But just as the name needs a little digging you may also need to get elbow deep into the pockets to fund at meal at Petite Mort – dishes average about $17, and by taking the 5-6 dish suggestion into account, you’re unlikely to satisfy a healthy hunger without spending over $100 a head.

But wouldn’t you fork out a little more for an evening that’s both exotic and erotic? Even if it’s just your palate that’s satisfied.

Where: 225 Onslow Road. Shenton Park, Perth, WA.
When: Tues-Sat 6pm-10pm | Fri 12pm – 2pm and 6pm – 10pm
Details: petitemort.com.au

A collaboration between the East Perth Redevelopment Authority and the Department of Culture, the Illuminites Festival of Christmas returns this Friday with free festivities kicking off from 5pm.

Firstly, let’s talk fuel. A night kitchen will serve all kinds of street food courtesy of the Urban Orchard, you can get your coffee fix from Polly’s and Pajeco is a sure bet for a refreshing icecream dessert.

For those yet to start the big Christmas shop, shops on Williams St will open late and about 26 boutique gift stalls will line the Museum Plaza. With everything from travel books to jewellery and ceramics, you’re sure to find something for even the most difficult relative.

The whole space is set to be lit by lanterns and a public art installation by local artist Philip Gamblen will light up the area before VJ Zoo paints the State Theatre Centre of WA with projections. The most festive eye-catcher has to be Freo artist Lewis Horne’s six-metre tall ‘Upscycle’ Christmas Tree, which he’s created from old bicycles.

Music-wise, the Wetlands will be transformed into a stage with performances by Wolves at the Door, Josh Fontaine and 6’s & 7’s Horns and James Ireland. Art buffs can head to the WA museum, which will open late with its Princely Treasures: Euro Masterpieces exhibition while PICA will show works by contemporary Japanese artists for the Alternating Currents exhibition. 

Great food, perfect gifts and festive atmosphere. We challenge you to find a brighter way to spend your Friday evening?

When: Friday December 9 and 16 | 5-10pm.
Where: Central Square. Perth Cultural Centre. Corner William and Roe St, Northbridge.
Details: perthculturalcentre.com.au

Serpentine Dam, deep in the Serpentine National Forest is one of the largest dams in Western Australia. Finished in 1961, with a capacity of 194,500,000 cubic metres, it supplies Perth metro with drinking water and is indeed an impressive sight.

A reason to visit? Cafe on the Dam. Perched on top of the scarp above it, there can’t be too many eateries boasting such a spectacular view. Offering up modern Aussie bush tucker in a relaxed and contemporary setting, chef Sarah Maddern knows what makes us tick. Whether it’s whiling away breakfast with fresh baked bread and free range eggs, as native birds fly freely around you in the alfresco area, or lingering over a burger lunch, the food hits the spot. And the setting, overlooking the Dam and Forest, soothes the city wearied soul.

So for pure Aussie bush tucker without the inconvenience, combined with great service and surrounds, The Cafe on the Dam is well worth the drive out.

And it’s a drive that takes you through some of the State’s best native forest and through the Darling Ranges. With a Parterre native garden, an art gallery and shop there is plenty to keep you interested after you’ve filled up on brekkie. And that kid’s corner is sure to keep any tots entertained while you savour that last latte before heading back to those streets of stress.

Where: Serpentine Dam, Kingsbury Drive, Jarrahdale 6124
When: Mon-Wed and Sat 10-4pm | Sun 9-5pm
Details: cafeonthedam.com

One hundred kitesurfers are set to compete alongside last year’s winner, Frenchman Alex Caizergues and current world speed record holder American Rob Douglas.Reaching an astounding 103 kilometers per hour, Douglas is the first kitesurfer to establish an outright world record in speed sailing – the record previously held only by sailboats or windsurfers.

Australia’s current record holder Adelaide’s Tim Pumpa and New Zealand champion Anderson Romero will also be in the mix, among a host of other local, national and international entrants.

With weather conditions permitting, competitors will take off from Philip Point on Rottnest Island at 2:30pm, racing across the Indian Ocean to North Fremantle’s Leighton Beach.

Of course if you don’t fancy a dip in the briny, you can always stay on the warm and dry side of the kiteboard as one of the race’s many spectators (that’s us). The event also features entertainment with music, live DJ sets, kiting demonstrations and commentary, starting at noon at Leighton Beach.

So why not grab your Esky, sit back and watch those boards zip, splash and fly the 19 kilometres to the finish while they attempt to break last years record of 24 minutes held by defending champ Alex Caizergues, who blasted his way across the course last year.

What: Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton KiteSurfing Race
Where: Leighton Beach, North Fremantle
When: Sunday 18 December | 12pm-4pm. Competitors set to arrive at the finishing line from 2.55pm.
Cost: Free
Details: lighthouse2leighton.com.au

Tuck Shop Pie House and Delicatessen opened its doors just eight weeks ago and is already gathering quite a reputation. With a menu promising healthy, simple and inspired options and coffee by Toby’s Estate, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was their scrumptious cheese kransky with grain mustard potatoes, spinach and fried eggs, causing the stir. Yet it’s their pies that are really stealing the show.

All made from scratch on site by owner and ex-Subiaco chef Paul Cherry, you’ll choose between flavours like Moroccan lamb and chickpea or Spanish beef with paprika, chorizo and white bean as well as traditionals like a beef and stilton. Served with either hand cut fries or a side of creamy dreamy mash potatoes, pie lovers – your Nirvana is definitely here.

Paul, his wife Iva and business partner Vanessa Hondros have created a cosy and welcoming atmosphere and although small, Tuck Shop Cafe is a clean, uncluttered space.  It also has a somewhat organic feel with healthy products lining the shelves and hessian coffee bags scattered tastefully.

A welcome addition to the Northbridge cafe scene, Tuck Shop is definitely worth a try – particularly if you have a fondness for great coffee and home-style pies.

Where: 1/180 Newcastle St.
When: Mon-Fri 9 – 4pm | Sat - Sun 8-2pm
Details: facebook.com/pages/Tuck-Shop-Cafe-Pie-House-and-Delicatessen

Now the Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle has launched a venture providing just that – KELP Bar @ Kidogo is encompassing all the region’s finest features especially for the Perth ISAF 2011 World’s Festival.

The Bathers Beach venue hopes to ‘redefine bohemian and set the standard for pop up bars’ by featuring art and sculpture, activities and bush tucker and all wrapped up with live music at its Sunset Beach Bar.

Some of Western Australia’s best musicians are set to perform during the event, including The Bartlett Brothers, Billie Rogers, Jon Cope & Blue Celts and the Hilltones. And don’t worry about your pocket, there’s no entry fee.

The location is also providing a historical aspect – the Limestone building was build in 1884 and was used as both a kerosene storehouse and lights department warehouse before becoming an artspace in the early 1970s.

The event is proving to Perthites that they need not go beyond their back-doors to experience an array of culinary delights, and organisers are urging people to get down there to make the most of all that’s on offer. And why wouldn’t you? Even if it’s just to quench your thirst with something from their eclectic range of specialty cocktails.

Either way, you had better hurry – while there’s talk of the associated art institute making the pop up bar and live music event a more permanent fixture, at this stage plans are only in place up until December 18th. 

Where: Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers Beach off Mews Rd, Fremantle. 
When: December 1-18 | 6pm-11.30pm 
Details: facebook.com/events/

Returning to Langley Park, this year marks the sixth anniversary of the Paspaley Polo, which began in Sydney back in ’06. It’s a day to witness some of Australia’s top professional players right in the heart of the city, appreciate and learn about this forever growing sport and well, quite simply, it’s a super day to stand outside in the sun and have a spritzer.

This season, the playing list includes international star and Australia’s top polo player Ruki Baillieu. Also the founder of the event, he’s been described in the mags as ‘a charming devil on horseback.’ Then there’s Argentine-Austrian Jakob Von Plessen, known for his riding expedition company in Buenos Aires and documentary series The Rider.

As for Kiwi player Sam Hopkinson, he stared as Viggo Mortensen’s ‘Lord of The Rings’ riding double, has played polo alongside royals Harry and William and once made the list of Vanity Fair’s ‘Polos 10 Hottest Horseman.’ That sounds good for the ladies and therefore in some strange twist of ironic luck that’s also good for the gentleman.

Now where to watch the action? The Coopers Bar will get you up close and personal. Complete with DJ, food, wine and Coopers, this is the best place to see all these pony riding friends do their thing in a relaxed and casual lounge bar setting.

Food, bubbles, international sports stars, and a little cavorting with glitterati – this is Polo in the City.

Where: Langley Park
When: Saturday 10^th December | 11am – 5.30pm
Get me in: Tix to the Coopers Bar are $70 from Ticketmaster Includes entry, DJ and cash bar serving drinks and food.
Details: polointhecity.com

Lotterywest Festival Films at Somerville | More Info

The Lotterywest Festival Films, part of the annual Perth International Arts Festival, has taken place for the last half of a century at the University of Western Australia. Nestled amongst the pines are rows of canvas deck chairs and space for picnickers to spread a blanket. Food is for sale at the venue, but BYO food and drinks are allowed. This year, the films will be shown from 28 November to 15 April. Movies begin at 7:30.

Moonlight Cinema | More info

This cinema is perched in Synergy Parkland in Kings Park. Gates open at 6:30 and the nightly screenings start at 8. Adult tickets are $16, but only $12 on Wednesdays. There is a Candy Bar on site with food for sale, but BYO food and drink for picnics are welcome. Bean beds are also available for $8. Just get yours early – they run out fast!

Luna Outdoor | More info

The outdoor cinema at Palace Cinemas in Leederville is an intimate courtyard filled with canvas deckchairs and tables. The cinema often screens international and art house films. You’re welcome to bring your picnic food or order Outdoor Cinema Survival Packs (an assortment of dips, cheeses, crackers and olives). No BYO alcohol is permitted, but the cinema is fully licensed and offers a selection of wine and beer. Tickets start at $15.50 for the 8pm start.

Movies by Burswood | More info

Our only south-of-the-Swan pick is Movies by Burswood. Located within the grounds of the Burswood Entertainment Complex, this outdoor cinema offers a range of popular new releases. We especially love this cinema because it’s run by volunteers and ticket proceeds are donated to local children’s charities.

Roll the tape!

The Leopard Lodge, which specialises in South African cuisine, is housed in a former art gallery and boasts a rich wood interior with African artefacts dotting its stone walls. The restaurant features the same unique African flavour and feel of the Serengeti with home-made sauces and a traditional Malva pudding. Fancy a steak 1kg elephant rump steak while a stuffed Leopard eyes you up? (You’ll get a certificate if you finish it!)

While the tantalising menu may be enough to entice dedicated foodies up the coast, the business has a new weapon in its arsenal – the African experience doesn’t end after the meal. Diners will soon be able to stay overnight in the rustic wooden lodge or a ‘luxury’ African tent and they’ve also added an authentic African Boma – a wooden circular enclosed dining area for dining under the stars.

‘Luxury tent’ could well appear an oxymoron, but what better way to fully indulge in an African adventure than by digesting a belly-full of steak in a tent nestled amongst trees – other than, well, going to Africa?

The lodge and tented accommodation is just the beginning of the vision Mark and Theresa hold for the 10 acre patch of land on the fringes of Lake Carabooda. Importing springbok could be the next step in expanding the retreat so as to replicate an opulent African Game Lodge.

Now there’s no excuse not to take a drive up the coast when there’s a full weekend in Africa on offer.

Where: 336 Karoborup Road North, Carabooda WA
When: Wed-Sat 6pm – 11.45pm | Sunday 12pm – 3.30pm
Details: leopardlodge.com.au

Inside, find a contemporary Moroccan-inspired décor with dark wooden tables and a line of soft, stylish two-seater booths. All best appreciated after sunset, when the warm lighting of the small dining room really comes into its own.

As for food, expect a mixture of ‘mezze’ and ‘more substantial’ options – both based firmly in the Middle Eastern food culture of shared, banquet-style eating. A short introduction at the top of the menu explains about the generosity of having lots of little dishes to share between family, friends and “even the unexpected traveller”.

However, don’t go expecting your standard Middle Eastern menu. At Raah – like at MoMo
– the inspiration and influence is patently and proudly Middle Eastern but the delivery is a contemporary blend of flavours and techniques.

You could easily order solely from the mezze menu with everything from Syrian spiced olives and crunchy Turkish chilli spiked chickpeas to larger plates like silky hummus with
minted lamb and toasted almonds. As for those preserved lemon, chilli and coriander prawns, they come in serves of four, eight, 12 and 16 – depending on the size of your party.

If you can resist the temptation to over-order on the mezze, move onto ‘more substantial’ options like mussels with Raki, leek and fennel broth, or the orange infused carrot and currant spitchcock with citrus salad.

To finish, look forward to a light dessert like Turkish delight ice-cream with fresh strawberries or perhaps that flourless chocolate and pistachio cake with orange blossom syrup. 

To drink, choose from a varied wine list but for those not intending on falling asleep too quickly, the Turkish coffee is the perfect parting treat.

Raah is the first of what Agenda hopes will be a long line of modern Middle-Eastern haunts to pop up in Perth.

Where: 484 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley
When: Tues – Sat 12pm – 11pm Sun 12pm – 9.30pm
Phone: (08) 9227 9745

Saturday marks the start of the much-anticipated Perth 2011 Worlds Festival. Running from 3-18 December, this festival coincides with the biggest international sailing event of the year, the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships. The competition has attracted over 1200 athletes from 80 countries to Fremantle, whose performance will determine their qualification for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The best of local Perth, West Australian and international artists and contributors have cooked up an awesome line up of entertainment and activities. The event’s theme of “where land meets the sea” is a celebration of West Australian culture and the sport of sailing. INXS will be opening the event followed by 250 free events for all ages.

The epicentre of the action will be the Worlds Village on the Esplanade Park in Freo. A main stage has been set up for music and other performances and presentations. Surrounding that are stalls for displays and demonstrations, as well as information about the countries competing in the Sailing World Championships. Food stalls will also be set up to feed the crowds.

Local Freo organisations have also joined in the spirit including Little Creatures Brewery, Kidogo Arthouse, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and the Moores Building.

This event has provided Perth with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our beautiful corner of Australia to the world – so make sure you’re a part of it.

Where: Fremantle
Hours: 3-18 Dec
Price: $99 for the INXS concert, all other events are free
Details: perth2011.com

This weekend is the three-day Bazaar11, an annual design and craft market that brings the work of the state’s best artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and cooks to the picturesque grounds of the Fremantle Arts Centre.

For 3 blessed days, the Centre will be filled with stall upon stall of unique items capable of completing any shopper’s to-buy list. Wandering through the gardens, you’ll pass tables of one-of-a-kind clothing created by local designers. Any woman on your list would swoon over the scarves, tops and dresses.

For the art lover, pick up an original artwork by talented painters, sculptors and metal workers. Unique homewares like ceramic dishes and screen-printed tea towels would make a great gift for mum. Then again, you can’t go wrong with jewellery – in no short supply at Bazaar11.

Got a relative who’s a bit of a foodie? There are dozens of vendors selling locally produced olive oil, spreads and dips, as well as cupcakes and confectionary for those with a sweet tooth.

On the off chance that nothing catches your fancy, then duck into FOUND, the Fremantle Art Centre’s gift shop. Absolutely no one leaves empty-handed, so there’s guaranteed to be a gift for absolutely anyone. Get a hand-blown glass vase for Nan, a jarrah chess set for your uncle, a book about Fremantle culture and history for the history buff in your family, and handmade toys for the youngsters.

There, all done!

With all of your holiday shopping sorted you can get back to enjoying your weekends – and have a laugh at your friends who spend theirs inside crowded shopping centres. They’re sure to be at your side for Bazaar12.

Where: 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle
When: 2-4 Dec
Price: $2 for adults, free for children
Details: fac.org.au/Events/bazaar.aspx

Our advice for how to survive the silly season without fizzling out? Find a quiet place away from technology, deadlines and that pesky to-do list. Our fave: Keturah Day Spa.

In business for the last 16 years, and with four locations around Perth, Keturah Day Spa has pampering down pat. Everything from the ambiance to the service encourages you to relax. As soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll feel your heart rate slow to the beat of the chilled-out music, forgetting the hubbub of life beyond.

Keturah’s treatments seek to relax, rejuvenate and energise. For your face, there are skin renewal treatments such as microdermabrasion, skin peels and facials to reduce wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. For the body, you can indulge in one of Keturah’s massages, full body exfoliations, waxing, manicures and pedicures or a session in the infrared sauna. Even cosmetic surgery options available on request. Most recently, Keturah added hair services to their repertoire, offering cuts, colours and styling for special occasions.

For couples, there are a number of packages that would make for the perfect romantic afternoon together. If you have an hour or two to spare, go for the Couple’s Indulgence Retreat, which includes massage, exfoliation, facial and foot massage. Lovely.

Before you leave, grab a couple of gift certificates. There, now you’ve demolished your stress levels AND ticked a few gifts off of your Christmas list. Feeling better already, aren’t you?

Where: 500 Beaufort St, Highgate; 22 Queen St, Fremantle; Cnr Beach & Davallia Rd, Carine; 133 Stirling Hwy, Nedlands
Details: keturah.com.au

Cyclists will don their best moustaches, flat caps, tailored suits, waistcoats, monocles, patent leather and suspenders for the short – yet impeccably stylish – 5k ride.

What began in London in 2009 as a good-natured nod to a bygone era has since spread around the world to Tokyo, Toronto, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. The quirky festival has been welcomed with open arms to our western shores.

This will be Fremantle’s second Tweed Run, and the organisers are looking to top the success of last year’s inaugural event. The lawn behind Clancy’s Fish Pub will be filled with a circus featuring aerial performances by acrobats, fire-spitters and juggling clowns. The pub will be pouring drinks and music from DJ NORSE (of The Brow Horn Orchestra fame) will be setting the soundtrack to the day.

A market will be selling a little of everything from vintage clothes and wares
to bicycles. It’s a great chance for you to stock up on everything you’ll need to knock the socks off the competition next year.

But for those who came prepared this year, however, the tweed competition will reward their valiant efforts. A panel of judges will crown the day’s best dressed – no small honour as it lasts an entire 365 days. What’s more, the gal deemed most Dashing Damsel and chap named most Dapper Chap will win Gazelle bicycles valued over $1000 each.

So why not raid Gramp’s and Gran’s retro wardrobe, borrow a friend’s rusty ride and get ye to Fremantle. It would be unseemly not to, really.

Where: Fremantle
Hours: 10am-6pm | Sat 26 Nov
Price: Free
Details: facebook.com/events/121074748000444/#!/FreoTweedRun

Then get ready for the Hola Mexico Film Festival at Northbridge’s Cinema Paradiso. The Perth leg of this national tour, straight from its stint in the US, brings together 16 of the countries’ finest documentaries, dramas and comedies as well as the Australian Premier of three Luis Estrada films. Now in its 6th year, it is one of the biggest International film festivals and celebrates the growing Mexican film Industry.

A land of contrast and contradictions amongst spectacular landscapes, Mexico is a place like the movies. Indeed in this inspired showcase, LA-based festival director and founder Samuel Douek hopes to provide an accurate picture of Mexico’s harsh realities – from crime and drugs to corruption and immigration.

Born and raised in Mexico but educated in Sydney, Douek brings a misunderstood Mexican culture to your attention with his diverse selection of films. His dream of expanding it has taken this Australian festival to the US, showcasing the rich tapestry of life and creativity that is Mexico, in a country where it’s least understood.

The sensitive and often volatile cross border relationships, especially with the US, are deftly explored in films like Luis Estrada’s epic black comedy El Infierno on the world of Mafia and organised crime, Alvaro Curiel’s Acorazado, that opens the festival, and Everado Gonzalez’s award winning documentary, El Cielo Abierto.

The festival examines a raft of issues using a variety of styles. From Agnus Dei, a documentary about Jesús, abused by a priest at a young age, to the highly acclaimed political satire La Ley de Herodes (Herod’s Law), a deserving winner of the Best Picture from the Mexican Academy of Film.

With an opening night fiesta sponsored by Sol Beer, we think it’s time to let that Latin spirit free. So tonight, grab that sombrero and catch a flick.

Where: Cinema Paradiso, 164 James Street, Northbridge
When: 24-30 November 2011
How much? Full $16 | Conc $13. Purchase tickets here
Details: holamexicoff.com

The event showcases Aotearoa’s finest musicians including Reggae sensations Katchafire, The Black Seeds, Kiwi Dub outfit Tiki Taane as well as Kiwi Queen of Soul Hollie Smith.

Festival Director Brian Terry promises more than just a music festival. It is, he says, a celebration of Kiwi culture and spirit, bringing together Australians and New Zealanders in the country, as well as from across the Tasman. And the Festival has secured some of New Zealand’s highest profile and in demand acts. As for the reggae based line up, the decision was only natural with Reggae and Dub being at the core of  New Zealand’s music scene.

Hosted at the spectacular Redhill Auditorium, in the Swan Valley and just 30 mins from Perth’s CBD, Red Hill has been described as the country’s most beautiful open-air venue. The 5000 capacity venue lies between the Perth skyline and John Forrest National Park which means you’ll struggle to find a music venue with such ambience.

And with Red Hill set to organise a shuttle bus service running from 22 pubs throughout the city, you’re left with little reason not to get into the Kiwi beat.

Where: Red Hill Auditorium, Swan Valley
When: 26 November
Tickets: $95 purchased here
Details: naturalmusicfest.com.au

Evolving from the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival held in Canada each year, The Radical Reels competition showcases the world’s best high octane sports films. Radical Reels has become so popular, it is now a standalone tour outside Canada and the USA. And it hits Perth this week.

It promises to get your pulse pumping, while sitting comfortably and watching death defying feats of pure genius, verging on insanity. And these remarkable films are shot in some of the planets most spectacular settings. Radical Reels promises the best of BASE jumping, skiing, climbing, biking and kayaking, not to mention human resilience and astounding skill.

Join Nina Caprez and friends in the film “Tuzgle” as they free climb (yes without harnesses) at 4200 metres, and discover what lies beneath the Tuzgle volcano in Argentina. Marvel at the dizzying “Fly or Die” as cutting edge climber Dean Potter pushes the envelope between BASE Jumping and free climbing. And sit back, if you can, as Steve Fisher and mates, brave the ride of their lives down Africa’s formidable Zambezi in “The Ultimate Ride”.

And as you’re sweating over the roll back in the multistorey, spare a thought for the folks of “Second Nature” as they skateboard down the California Sierras. With all that puffing and panting, you’re sure to need a beer afterwards, so raise a toast to the most extreme sports films in the world, and the folk who bring them alive for us.

Where: State Theatre of WA, 174 – 176 William Street,
Northbridge.
When 23-24 November
Tickets: From $30
Details: banffaustralia.com.au

So it’s no wonder that locals were very happy to see the return of Il Bellissimo Di Una Volta to Claremont’s Bayview Terrace, with Albasio LaPegna – the man behind Funtastico, Pronto, and Zafferano (to name a couple) at the helm. 

In Italian, il bellissimo di una volta means ‘the beauty of once upon a time.’ The name pays homage not only to the traditions of Napolitan cuisine but also to the old Bellissimo Restaurant (originally opened by Albasio) that occupied the very same spot some years ago.

The décor is simple but modern and those few al fresco tables out front are sure to take prime position over the summer months. Inside, there’s a large mural you can’t help but be curious about – it’s a painting of the outdoor area as it once was in front of the old Bellissimo Restaurant. Its presence adds even more charm to the story of the name.

The wood-fired Napolitan-style pizzas here are standouts and toppings range from fresh pork with mozzarella, garlic, chilli and brocollini to gorgonzola, mozzarella, zucchini tapenade and prosciutto. As for the pasta, keep it simple with their gnocchi in Napoli sauce or go for the decadent ‘paccheri bechamel’ – tubed pasta, oven baked with ham, mozzarella, parmesan and béchamel sauce.

Chef’s Favourites are an exploration of the broader intricacies of Napolitan cuisine with specialties like bresaola (air cured beef, thinly sliced) with burrata cheese and green olives or fresh peppered mussels in a lemon and herb consume.

And there’s no escape if you have even the slightest sweet tooth as here – like any good
Napolitan would expect – you’ll find a great selection of seriously sweet treats. Agenda went for the Nutella filled calzone pizza but we’re going back for those freshly made doughnuts with cream and berry compote.

Albasio says the Napolitans have food in their blood, and after visiting Il Bellissimo di una volta, there is no denying it.

Where: 3 Bayview Terrace, Claremont
Details: bellissimorestaurant.net.au

All of this tug-of-warring has resulted in a multitude of versions of the dish. In fact, word is there are about 182 thousand ways to make lasagne.

Out to celebrate this variety – and maybe put an end to all of the bickering - is the Lilly Street Lasagne Bake-Off. What began 14 years ago as a good-natured argument over which neighbour’s recipe was best, has now turned into an annual competition attracting between 60-70 entries. For one day each November, hopefuls submit their finest lasagne dishes to a blind taste testing panel, who, by the end of the day, crown two winners: one for current Lilly Street residents, and one for the general public.

Some follow the traditional Italian method with fresh sheets of lasagne, nestled between alternating layers of ragú and béchamel sauce, topped with parmesan. Others take the American route of stuffing in as much cheese as possible. Attempting to catch the judges off-guard are the daring ones who submit Mexican lasagne or seafood lasagna. All entrants are wary of the Bake-Off veterans, such as three-time winners Giovanni and Maria de Cecco, whose lasagne is made entirely from their own vegetable patch.

So head on down and enjoy the street party vibe of the event, and sample dishes for yourself. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to put forward your own lasagne recipe next year – and you could take home the Bake-Off 2012 crown. Just promise to share the recipe with us!

Where: Lilly Street, South Fremantle
Hours: Sat, 19 November
Price: Free

WA’s festival season has well and truly begun with the arrival of the 106th annual Fremantle Festival, beginning this weekend and running for the next three weeks. With such an extensive line up, here’s Agenda’s top picks:

Coffee Festival | 20 November.
The abundance of cafes and coffee roasters in Freo does not make for an easy decision when the need for caffeine strikes. Thankfully, Freo’s best coffee makers will be setting up mobile coffee carts along the Cappuccino Strip to give festival goers samples of their brew. Beyond the opportunity to get seriously caffeinated, there’s plenty more on offer, such as the spaghetti eating competition, pitting the winners of past events against each other. Kids will go nuts at the Sticky Maze – constructed entirely of sticky tape!

George Street Festival | 27 November.
Now in its 20th year, the George Street Festival is the perfect reason to pay this quaint street a visit. A usually quiet lane dotted with independent fashion boutiques, beauty spas and gourmet cafes will become a bustling boulevard filled with street entertainers, food stalls, children’s activities and cooking demonstrations. The much-loved Artisan Market will feature handmade jewellery, accessories, homewares and skincare products.

Norfolk Lanes Youth Festival | 3 December.
For a taste of Australia’s hottest musical artists under the age of 25, check out Norfolk Lanes. The free event will take place on Norfolk Lane and X-Wray Café Fremantle and features an array of musical acts ranging from hip hop to folk and acoustic. Standout talent is WA’s own Grace Woodroofe and the gorgeous Brisbane-based artist Emma Louise.

Projections on High | 1-4 December.
Fremantle’s High Street will be illuminated for the last 4 nights of the Freo Festival thanks to local video artists Kat Black and Jasper Cook. The project integrates music and nautical-themed artwork into animated projections splashed on the outsides of Freo’s most beautiful historical buildings and insides of shop windows such as Love in Tokyo.

Where: Fremantle
Hours: 18 Nov – 4 Dec
Price: Free
Details: fremantle.wa.gov.au/Festivals/Fremantle_Festival

Don’t worry, you don’t have to cross the ocean to experience churrasco. Boa Brazilian BBQ is WA’s first – and arguably best – churrascaria. It caters almost exclusively to carnivores. Hungry carnivores. While you can choose from an á la carte menu, most people opt for the all-you-can-eat meal with an endless supply of meat - from Brazilian kebab, Argentinian steak and pork ribs to lamb and South American Sausage. For the vegos in the group (if any were foolhardy enough to come along) there are delicious cheese balls, and side dishes such as black beans, potato salad and farofa – a popular Brazilian dish similar to cous cous.

Once you’ve had your fill, sit back and enjoy the other reason this restaurant is so popular: the nightly live performances. Girls dressed in very small traditional costumes shake their hips to the rhythm of the samba, an iconic Brazilian dance. But beware – the girls often invite unsuspecting diners to join in!

If you have any room to spare, order the degustation dessert which comprises a trio of Brazilian treats: chocolate brigadeiro (the Brazilian equivalent of a bonbon), brazil nut brigadeiro and doce de leite-caramel. Heavenly.

There, now you shouldn’t have to eat again for a week or so.

Where: 1 Manning St, Scarborough
Hours: Dinner, Wed – Sun
Details: boabbq.com.au

Locals will sure notice some changes to their favourite haunt. Beaufort Street will undergo a transformation of Tim Burton-esque qualities with Marisa Garreffa of Mondo di Corpo and Lex Randolph of Propel Youth Arts using debris found along the street to create a Steampunk Sideshow.

The street and surrounds will be all done up with art installations, photoexhibits (check out the Queens Hotel driveway), a mini Beaufort Street depiction in the Highgate Drycleaners as well as an outdoor ping pong party at the Flying Scotsman Hotel. They’ll also be snippets of a video documenting a blind date in all of its awkwardness; quite possibly causing many a familiar cringe.

The stages will be set up along Beaufort St and in car parks for all and sundry; from spaced-out hypnotic experimental sounds to pop, rock, jazz and R&B alongside barista competitions, a banana bread bake-off, and dog show. Yes, really.

Secretly tucked behind Luxe Bar, fashionistas can flock to BamBOO amphitheatre to uncover their own Beaufort St ‘look’ with a fashion show revealing the latest trends for men and women available on the strip. With sounds from Lux Bar’s guest and resident DJ’s in the background, you might team a few cocktails with hawker-style dishes prepared by Herb Faust, winner of the 2010 Australian Iron Chef competition.

The party gets started at 7.00pm tonight at the James Squire Festival Bar at number 555 (next to Method Clothing.) And while the festival technically ends at 10.00pm Saturday night – let’s be honest, that’s unlikely in this thriving locale.

When: Fri 11th November 7.00pm | Saturday 12th November 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Where: Beaufort St, Highgate
Details: beaufortstreetfestival.com.au

An event management company that develops and produces Australian performance nationally and internationally, WA Performing Lines produces the work of five independent West Australian dance and theatre artists. Their most recent installments are two world premiers.

Shiver, showing at UWA, is a heady mix of contemporary dance and music. It tells the story of four strangers, trapped in an unknown place with no exit – undoubtedly a metaphor for many of life’s little gags. And we’ve all been there. The performers relive their uncomfortable pasts as they dance through their search for answers. Director Danielle Micich has teamed up with sound designer Kingsley Reeve to weave a rich cinematic soundtrack into the story.

The second romp through other people’s emotional salvage yard is the tragic comedy They Ran ‘Till They Stopped, performed by The Duck House, an independent contemporary theatre company. Directed by Katherine Osborne, it tells the entertaining stories of housemates Caitlin, Aaron and Maggie who wake one morning after suffering a shared loss.

In their chaotic kitchen, they take cover from cornflakes, parties and cabaret. Like us, they do what they can to grab that rice bubble of hope and laughter and move on. It premiers at Perth Institute of Performing Arts (PICA), in the Cultural Centre.

These two unique performances tell universal stories, experiences we all relate to, whether we want to or not. And after you’ve laughed at someone’s else doggy doo, stroll down to Northbridge and grab that beer.

They Ran ‘Till They Stopped
Where: PICA, Perth Cultural Centre
When: 11-19 November

Shiver
Where: The Dolphin Theatre, UWA
When: 17-19 November
Details: performinglineswa.org.au/home/

Three hours drive south of Perth, this usually tranquil and beautiful southern town will open it gates, tripling its population overnight. Now in its 19th Year, what began as a local festival set up by a small group of blues fans has morphed into the giant that now strums its stuff each year at one of the largest Blues Festivals in Australia. Around 12,000 visitors are expected to descend, with or without fedoras, on the lawns and streets of historic Bridgetown.

This year’s line up will cheer hardcore fans with giants such as Aria award winner Ash Grunwald and West Australian greats Blue Shaddy. But Blues ain’t just Blues; there’s rock type Blues, heavy metal Blues, country Blues and even Irish type Blues. There may even be a dance fusions reggae style Blues. Although originating from 19th century African American culture, its long history, influences and evolution has provided an enormously diverse genre. And the festival organisers bring a wide range of performers for the line up.

Held in three main venues, Blue Owls Nest, Geegeelup Marquee and the Festival Club as well as other hotels and restaurants, music will fill the town for the whole three days. On Saturday 12th, a street party is held on Hampton Street with various artists performing, as well a raft of other entertainment for both adults and kids.

With three days of Blues performances, workshops, food and merchandise stalls, and street entertainment, Blues at Bridgetown has something for everyone. So if even you do forget your fedora and harmonica, don’t stress, kick back and enjoy the sounds of the Blues.

Where: Bridgetown, WA
When: 11-13 November, 2011
How much? Prices vary. Click here for tickets
Details: bluesatbridgetown.com

Lucky for us all, the doors have opened to the perfect summer hangout. The Aviary, a sophisticated two-storey restaurant and bar in the centre of the CBD will have its official launch tomorrow.

Walking through the front door, you get a taste of the venue’s unique style. Aviaries and birdcages hang from the entrance, hummingbird carpet adorns the floors and the walls are wrapped in custom-made wallpaper.

With room for over 600 guests, The Aviary offers something for everybody. On level one is The Birdcage restaurant and circular lounge bar, whose floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Murray Street Mall and William Street below.

Executive Chef Telina Menzies, who previously oversaw the kitchens of hotspots The George and The Byrneleigh, has designed simple, seasonal meals from locally sourced ingredients. Like us, you’ll be yearning to try the ginger and nori fried squid, porcini linguini or pea and broad bean risotto.

While the wine list offers affordable, albeit predictable choices, it’s the bird-inspired cocktail list that will have your mouth watering. Try the Woodpecker, a concoction made of Bombay gin, fresh orange and orange blossom water. Then there’s the Pink Flamingo combining Tanqueray, Cointreau, absinthe, passionfruit and Alize. Or how about the drink that is sure to become a summer staple, the Cockatoo Palace with gin, pomegranate, mint, limes and tonic.

After dinner, a visit to the vibrant and playful outdoor rooftop bar called The Nest is in order. Offering a bird’s eye view of Perth’s ever-changing skyline, The Nest is an open-air rooftop oasis complete with bowling green, trees, AstroTurf and decking.

Surely, there’s no better place to hang out under the stars this summer.

Where: Level 1, 140 William St, Perth
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am – midnight | Sun 11am – 10pm
Details: theaviaryperth.com.au

This one’s ideal if you’re up for walking 5 or 6 hours a day, spending lots of time under the sun and using the ocean as a bath. Running from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, it covers the entire Margaret River coastline and takes about 5-8 days to complete, depending on your fitness level and how many swim breaks you take.

When the day’s done, most camp on the beach or in campsites, beloved for their toilets and rainwater collection tanks. But if you insist on a pillow and a shower, take a guided tour with nights spent at local B&Bs!

In addition to the spectacular scenery of the coast’s rugged limestone cliffs, powdery
white sand beaches and pristine forests, there’s wildlife too. While most animals in the area are nocturnal, it’s not unusual to catch sight of red-winged wrens, purple-crowned lorikeets, bobtail lizards, bandicoots and brush-tailed possums. Dolphins, humpback whales and southern right whales are often spotted too.

But it’s not without challenges. First is the sand. When you’re not walking on the beach itself, you’ll be walking on dune trails or 4WD tracks. With soft sand making for slow walking, sore calves and blisters, switching to sandals or bare feet is the best way to go. Second: the flies. A fly net will be your very best friend on the Cape to Cape. Wind, too, if it’s strong enough to blow the critters away. Then, of course, there’s the siren call of the wineries that are so, so close by.

But if you resist that temptation, a week spent like this will see you communing with Margaret River at its most pure. And while the view from the wine tasting van is pretty, we reckon the one away from the somewhat hedonistic oenophiles is even better.

Where: Margaret River
Details: capetocapetrack.com.au

The result is the gorgeous new Japanese eatery Shiro Izakaya Restaurant. Perched on southern edge of Central Park and flanked by Perth’s premier corporate office buildings is this delectably designed space. A modern, minimalist design features unique touches like sake bottle-shaped light fixtures, dark wood walls and tables fitted with embedded lights. Place settings are stylish and classy – you won’t find disposable wooden chopsticks at Shiro. Most impressive are those floor-to-ceiling windows that can be completely opened to maximise the view of Central Park’s verdant oasis and invite the summer breeze inside.

Lunchtime brings throngs to the exterior counter for takeaway meals, and dine-ins to the window-facing benchtop while the dinner rush attracts those looking for a more leisurely meal, or if in a larger group, to the 18-person table upstairs.

The menu is styled after the “Izakaya” of Japan, bars serving drinks and tapas-style food shared at the table. Shiro adds a WA spin by using only the freshest of seafood from the Indian Ocean and locally raised meat. Cold dishes like sashimi, sushi and salads attest to the quality of the produce and innovation of the kitchen. Our favourite is The Rolls Royce – devilishly good sushi with crab, diced prawn tempura, unagi and cucumber, topped with tiered apple sauce, teriyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise.

Equally delicious is the Ocean’s 5 sashimi with melt-in-your-mouth salmon, lemon-spritzed scallops and the hard-to-come-by yellow-fin tuna. Hot dishes include braised fish, yakitori skewers and even Wagyu steak. Japanese tipple-lovers will rejoice at the news of Shiro’s selection of 14 different sakes but there’s wine and beer too. 

The Bahk brothers have definitely outdone themselves. And aren’t we lucky.

Where: 150c St Georges Terrace, Perth
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am – 9:30am, 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – late | Sat-Sun 6pm-late
Details: shiroizakaya.com

Like its Mount Lawley counterpart, The Boulevard is divided into various zones, each with distinctly different vibes. The indoor bar is textured with designer wooden feature walls and partitions. With a white marble top, the bar is surrounded by a mix of lounge settings and high bar tables, with loads of room for mingling too.

But it’s the al fresco beer garden that’s the show stealer – especially on a sunny day. This too is divided into areas: a modern-style veranda and art-deco, tropical-like garden with black and white round tables and designer chairs surrounded by a scattering of palm trees.

For drinks there’s everything you could wish for, particularly if you like your beer. Alongside a good variety of draft, The Boulevard offers a ‘packaged’ beer menu, hitting almost 30 different labels. If cocktails are your thing, go for a refreshing Moscow Mule or Whiskey Sour or choose something from the wine list, with around 40 wines by the glass alongside impressive Old World labels.

As for the food, Executive Chef Anthony Schell plates up classic, quality pub fare with a European edge.  The tomato, basil, mozzarella arancini balls are exceptional while the grilled chorizo with olives and homemade sourdough is enough to share as a starter. For mains, go for spaghettini with crab, chilli, garlic, tomato sugo and spinach or beer battered barramundi with fries and tartare sauce. For a truly continental edge, try the prosciutto, pear and gorgonzola or the pancetta, balsamic onion and goat’s cheese pizzas.

Agenda didn’t make it to dessert but the temptation of a mascarpone, raspberry and almond trifle or Spanish doughnuts with chocolate sauce and vanilla anglaise are more than enough incentive to get us back.

Where: Corner of The Boulevard and Howtree Place, Floreat, WA
Hours: 11am – 11pm
Details: theboulevardhotel.com.au

The only race of its kind in Australia, the third and most arduous leg reaches the sleepy town of Augusta on November 6th. Set to attract around 1700 competitors from around the world, it’s considered the largest race of its kind…anywhere.

A field of weekend warriors and elite professionals will be sweating it out; running, swimming, paddling and biking around some of the most the dramatic, and harsh terrain of south west Australia.

Not only competitors, large crowds are also expected to flock to Augusta to watch the event. Organised by Rapid Ascent, Director John Jacoby is the veteran race organiser and one of the most accomplished adventure racers in the world. And he has a well-deserved reputation for creating challenging racecourses.

Starting at the enormous slab of rock at the Cape Leeuwin Light house, competitors will complete a 13.5km run along some of wildest coastal landscapes. At Flinders Bay, they’ll take a cooling dip for a 1.9km ocean swim and run to Hardy Inlet before completing a heart pounding 13km kayak out into the Southern Ocean. It ends with a 32km run through bush and forest.

For those with a desire for more of the same muscle crunching, there’s still the 2.5km fun run. Not for the faint hearted, it promises the wildest of the west’s scenery as competitors get close to nature at its rawest.

With so many spectators flocking to watch the race, the event also features an adventure expo, food and market stalls and family events. And for those with any endurance left, there’s always the après race celebrations.

When: Sunday 6th November
Where: Augusta, WA
Details: rapidascent.com.au/anacondaadventurerace/wa

Deckchair Theatre Company is one of Australia’s most entertaining creative theatre companies. Sometimes provocative, sometimes challenging, Deckchair promotes risk taking in the arts, producing original, high-quality works that stretch boundaries and imaginations.

26 years old, they’ve produced about 80 new Australian plays, many of which have gone on to tour the country, picking up award like the Edinburgh ‘Fringe First’ for Outstanding New Production and WA Equity Guild Award for Best Director. With their 2011 ‘A Season of Voyages’ program coming to a close, their last two installments are certainly worth a look.

Showing at Freo’s Victoria Hall from Saturday Oct 29 to Saturday Nov 12 is a fusion of mystery, romance and caberet: Lorelei, described as one of the most glam 1930′s events of the season.

With a perfect port-side setting, it follows cabaret pair Lorelei and Buzzard (Rhona Lopez and Mark Storen) who set sail from Freo to the Far East on a cruise ship. When Lorelei vanishes in Shanghai, Buzzard embarks on a port-to-port journey into the heart of Europe to find her and uncover her secret past. The collaboration between Chris Bendall, Mark Storen and musical director Tim Cunniffe is set to the music of Cole Porter, Nick Cave, Lily Allen, Tom Waits and Nina Simone.

From Dec 2 to 17, catch acclaimed WA play Taking Liberty. With a cast including skipper John Bertrand, ‘winged keel’ inventor Ben Lexcen and tycoon Alan Bond, it’s the story of the Australia II – a personal and national obsession on the America’s Cup that placed Freo on the sailing world map. With performances coinciding with the Perth Sailing World Champs, expect ingenuity, adventure, risk and dogged determination.

When: Lorelei runs 27 Oct – 12 Nov 2011 | 8pm except 1 & 8 Nov at 6.30pm | Matinees 11am on 10 Nov + 2pm on 12 Nov. Taking Liberty runs 2 Dec — 17 Dec at 8pm.
Where: Deckchair Theatre. Victoria Hall. 179 High St. Fremantle. WA.
Cost: $40 Standard. $35 Concession.
Details and Tickets: deckchairtheatre.com.au

Once merely known to caffeine fiends for its fresh coffee and cupcakes, Frisk is now catering to a wider post-work clientele looking for a relaxed place to unwind. Just around the corner from the Northbridge action, yet sheltered from any rowdiness.

Besides inspiring a new menu and trading hours, the new licence has given owner Michael Cheang the opportunity to renovate the space in an environmentally responsible way, using second hand furniture and décor made from salvaged materials. Frisk’s tables are made from discarded and distressed siding, its lampshades from recycled plastic water containers and its stools from reused oil drums.

Enveloping the intimate space are walls adorned with the spray-painted stylings of the aerosol artists behind Perth-based The Graphite Crew. But don’t expect their artwork to last long. Cheang intends for the walls to change constantly, featuring the work of different local artists. Just to keep Frisk’s interior fresh.

Not that you’d visit Frisk for ambiance alone. A new bar food menu is in the works with nibbles like bread with dips, grilled chorizoand salted nuts. Frisk also welcomes the hungry to order a burger from the neighboring Lacker’s Grill, who deliver straight to your booth in Frisk.

And to wash it all down? We nearly forgot to mention Frisk’s brand spanking new – and stocked to the gills – bar with an impressive selection of boutique beer, cider, West Australian wines, premium spirits and healthy cocktails.

So next time you’re in the area, but not in the mood for the raucous club scene, duck into the spray-painted refuge of Frisk Espresso.

Where: 103 Francis Street, Northbridge
Hours: Mon-Tue 6:30am-3pm | Wed-Thu 6:30am-10pm | Fri-Sat 8:30am-12am | Sun 8:30am-10pm
Details: facebook.com/friskespresso

One of you wants Italian, someone else feels like a burger, a couple of others feel like kebabs and you’re dying for sushi. The larger the group, the longer the argument.

Not to worry. We promise it’s going to be different tonight. Why? Because tonight is the first of a series of Friday night Twilight Hawkers Markets happening in Forrest Place.

Following immense success when first trialled earlier in the year as part of Eat Drink Perth, the City of Perth has decided the markets should run all summer long, taking advantage of the city’s warm summer nights and burgeoning culinary scene.

With international food vendors of every kind, everyone can gratify their own individual craving. A wander through the rows of market stalls will bring you face-to-face with cuisine from all over the globe. Jostling for your nose’s attention will be the aromas of Indonesian chicken satays with chunky peanut sauce, Spanish paella packed with chicken and seafood, Colombian pork and lime empanadas with fresh guacamole, steaming Turkish gozlemes and spicy Moroccan tagines. Just to name a few.

Once you’ve each made your choice, your crew can kick back and enjoy the free live music and roving entertainment which will vary each week, promising to feature some of the state’s best talent. Just be sure to get there early – the market only runs from 5-8pm.

So for a Friday night that will have your tastebuds singing and your friendships intact, head to the Twilight Hawkers Markets.

Where: Forrest Place, Murray St, Perth
When: Fridays 5-8pm, Oct 11 – March 12
Details: cityofperth.wa.gov.au

As any fan of critically acclaimed ’60s advertising drama Mad Men will tell you, aesthetics are key. The exquisitely crafted and period perfect wardrobes and sets are as integral to the show’s appeal, as are its carefully drawn and complex characters.

Not since Sex and the City has a television show had such influence over the world of contemporary fashion. From the moment the first season of Mad Men premiered in 2007, catwalks have been awash with more feminine silhouettes, and men have seen the appeal of the precise tailoring and slim line suits worn by the show’s anti-hero, the aforementioned Mr Draper.

While the fifth season of Mad Men may have been delayed until 2012, there’s no need to drop your whisky on the office floor. Australian fans can still get their fashion fix at Mad for Fashion, which is exhibiting some of the show’s most influential costumes at enex100 until October 30 (this Sunday).

Curated by Janie Bryant, the woman behind the Mad Men wardrobe, the exhibition features 20 iconic top-to-toe looks from the show, which mixes original designs with vintage 1960s items.

Don’t miss the chance to see the handiwork of the Emmy Award-winning costume designer, a woman so adept at distilling the signature style of the show’s key characters that their names have become shorthand in women’s mags for describing a body type, attitude and style. Ladies, you can choose your mould. Gentlemen, feel free to mull which kind you’d most like to have hanging on your arm.

Where: 100 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA
When: Until October 30
Details: www.enex100.com.au/

From today, Perth Cultural Centre will become a ‘People’s Space’ with live music, craft markets, film, world-class exhibitions and street theatre. Food-wise, multicultural tastes range from Malaysian satays to British cupcakes.

Among the musicians is award-winner Grace Barbé with her mix of Indian Ocean island inspired sounds and reggae, soul, funk and afrobeat; Akwaaba for traditional African drumming and Indigenous rock band The Bartlett Brothers. Street performers Pinstripe Circus will pay tribute to the iconic Aussie livesaver with acrobatics, slapstick comedy and juggling.

Films screening on the PCC LED Screen and at the State Library of WA Theatre include award-winning documentary Fire in Babylon on the rise of the West Indies Cricket Team and user-generated documentary Life in a Day when the global community was enlisted to capture a moment of their lives on camera.

For art lovers, a standout is Noonagar artist’s Charlie Riley’s take on the iconic Ford Falcon which he’s painted inside-out with bright and colourful motifs, animals and dreamtime imagery. Nomad Two Worlds: Portrait of Diversity is one of a few world-class exhibits and features 53 large-scale portrait photos of Western Australian’s born in each of the Commonwealth countries.

On Friday at midday, celebrated WA chef Hadleigh Troy from Amusé is set to treat 20 lucky tasters and some special guests to his take on historic menus from the State archives collection. Iced asparagus anyone?

The festival finishes Sunday with fireworks and a free concert featuring South African Ringo Madlingozi for Afro-pop and our own multi ARIA award winning Dan Sultan (pictured).

With events aplenty, there’s sure to be one for you – no matter where you’re from!

What: Commonwealth Festival 2011
When: October 23 – 30, 2011. Events at Perth Cultural Centre run from 11am-8pm daily.
Details: commonwealthfestival.com

For a French garden-inspired party, head to The Grand Ballroom at Burswood Entertainment Complex for a Garden Soiree. They’ll be live entertainment from Glenn Shorrock and Joe Camilleri and a runway show featuring Aurelio Costarella, Love in Tokyo, Ake’lkemi, Fenella Peacock and Paper Skye. Expect a four-course menu by Executive Sous Chef Sean Marco from poached crayfish all the way to Campari and pink grapefruit sorbet and premium beverages.

Over at Modo Mio, a divine three-course lunch will be served up with fine wine and premium beer before Claremont Quarter showcases the latest in European fashions. Among the offerings, pan-fried barra fillet and their traditional Italian Tiramisu! Post-race celebrations will be at Eve and MINQ nightclubs. 

Trackside at Ascot, place your bets on an 8-race programme and watch the Cup on the big screen before an arvo of live entertainment at Skyy Vodka Bar and Yellowglen Bubbly Bar. Amp it up with a ticket to the Yellowglen Marquee for a 3-course luncheon, fashion parades and other entertainment.

At King’s Park, Frasers have an afternoon of entertainment, fashion, food and fun planned with best hat and best dressed competitions, live music and a fashion parade from Subiaco’s The Colonnade.

1907 Restaurant & Bar will celebrate the big race with draw prizes, a sweepstakes and live broadcast. Look forward to a delectable 3-course lunch with premium wines. Think oysters, prawn cocktails and sparkling on arrival before a complimentary cocktail to finish.

Possibly the hottest ticket is for BamBOO at LuxBar for a glass of Veuve Clicquot NV on arrival, luxury menu from Heyder and Shears, fashion parade featuring Zara Bryson and Betts and live music from Bronze Medallion LIVE and DJ Paul Malone.

Be sure to get your tickets early and wherever go you, arrive in race gear, maybe a hat and definitely an appetite. A race book is of course, optional.

BamBOO @ LuxBar | 446 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley. $75 Tickets
Garden Soiree @ Burswood Grand Ballroom | Burswood Entertainment Complex, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne. $205. Tickets.
Cup Day Lunch @ Modo Mio | Burswood Entertainment Complex, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne. $165. (08) 9362 7551.
Yellowglen Melbourne Cup Day – General Admission/Yellowglen Marquee | Ascot Racecourse, 70 Grandstand Road, Ascot $35/$300 Tickets
1907 Restaurant & Cocktail Bar | 26 Queen St, Perth. $165. Ph: (08) 9436 0233
Frasers Restaurant | Frasers Avenue, Kings Park, West Perth. $120. Ph: (08) 9481 7100

Now you can let one select you at Willie Creek Pearl Company’s latest, most glamorous showroom in Subiaco. Open 7 days, it joins a host of luxury brand retailers on the corner of Rokeby Rd and Hay St, replacing what was once Gant Menswear.

With an elegant, modern fit-out, its unique ceiling feature brings a touch of Broome to town, inspired by the waves of the Willie Creek Farm. One of the best areas to grow Australian South Sea Pearls, pearl luggers sheltered in this ocean-fed tidal estuary on the Kimberley Coastline during the cyclone season. With its pristine, crystal clear waters, the now award-winning tourist magnet has been acquainting visitors with the world of pearling for years.

With a showroom at the farm, a couple more in Broome, Hilary’s Boat Harbour, Sorrento Quay and now Subiaco, Willie Creek Pearls now boasts the largest collection of pearl jewelery in Australia. From the irregular freshwater pearl to the priced cultured, the Keshi (‘poppy seed’ in Japanese) and Mabe (aka half or blister pearl), you’ll find high quality pieces for all budgets and tastes alongside 20 new and exclusive designs. And blokes don’t despair, there’s a host of styles for you too.

A warning though, as stunning as it is, that 18K White Gold Australian South Sea Cultured Pearl Necklace (14-15mm) comes with a $10,970 price tag.

Pearl chooses its wearer though, right?

Where: Shop 2/464 Hay St (Cnr Rokeby Rd and Hay St), Subiaco.
Phone: (08) 9388 1001
Details: williecreekpearls.com.au

Now entering its final week, Agenda checked out what’s coming up…

The End of the Line
Sunday October 23 | 7.30pm

A world without fish? A meal without seafood? Directed by Rupert Murray and shot in locations ranging from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska and Tokyo fish market, this film chronicles our love affair with fish as food. Watch as investigative journalist Charles Clover challenges politicians and restaurateurs with the decline of global fish stocks. You won’t think about sushi the same way again!

At The Edge of the World
Sunday October 23 | 9:00pm

This multi-award winning film follows the journey of an international volunteer crew as they attempt to stop an Antarctic whale hunt in the Ross Sea. This David v Goliath adventure has been described as ‘…an epic tale of hunter and hunted: a Moby Dick of the environmental age.’

Manufactured Landscapes
Wednesday October 26 | 7.30pm

Another award-winner, this documentary features renowned artist Edward Burtynsky. With subjects ranging from industrial waste and toxic sludge to quarries and recycling yards, his large-scale photos of ‘manufactured landscapes’ have been described as stunning and beautiful. It’s said to leave audiences pondering questions about ethics and aesthetics and the human impact on our environment.

No Impact Man
Saturday October 29 | 8:30pm

Watch on as New York Liberal and family-man Colin Beavan turns off the electricity, stops making garbage, gives up TV, taxis and take out to become a walking, bicycle composting, tree-hugging, polar bear saving local food-eating citizen! 

Go on, pull up a bean bag at the Piazza this weekend for one of these engaging, entertaining and sustainability-focused flicks!

Where: The Northbridge Piazza, Corner of Lake and James Street, Northbridge.
Cost: Free
Details: northbridgepiazza.showmeperth.com.au

No longer confined to gentleman’s clubs and strip joints, pole dancing has become the exercise trend du jour, promising to build inner core strength, improve flexibility and increase endurance. Believe it or not, even guys are giving it a, um, whirl.

But that’s not all. The International Pole Sports Federation, a committee made up of industry professionals from around the world, are aiming to have pole sports included as a competitive event at the Olympic Games. Yep – one day there might even be medals for this.

To do so, the Federation is doing its darndest to promote the sport around the world – and it’s Perth’s turn to blush next. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, The West Australian Pole Performance Showcase (WAPPS) is set to take centre stage at Eve nightclub tomorrow night.

The WAPPS offers spectators the opportunity to learn more about the art of pole sports. Perhaps you’ve always wondered about moves like the Superman Spin, Gemini Handstand, Bouncing Boomerang or Hummingbird?

Ok, perhaps not. In any case, these moves and more will be demonstrated by some of the region’s best performers, such as Tammy Baxter. This local pole dancing instructor recently competed in the semi-finals at the International Pole World Cup in Rio de Janero, Brazil and will be among the twelve performers sharing skills at the Showcase.

So move aside Zumba – there’s a new kid in town.

Where: Eve Nightclub, Burswood Entertainment Complex, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
When: 21 October | 7pm
Price: $35
Details: wapole.net.au