Pre-Eat.Drink.Blog 3 meet-up at West End Deli, West Perth

"slow cooked egg" "peas" "bacon" "truffle oil" "white anchovies" "Reggiano" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"

Having only just celebrated my first blogiversary last month, I consider myself somewhat of a newcomer to Perth’s food blogger ranks.  What has truly amazed me and touched my heart profoundly is the strong sense of community amongst fellow bloggers.  Despite my inexperience, I have been graciously greeted with open arms not just by other fresh(wo)men like myself, but by those with popular, well-established and recognised blogs.  It certainly does make a fresh change from the comparatively serious and introverted veterinary world.

Four bloggers from Perth including yours truly were selected to attend the third annual Eat.Drink.Blog conference this year in Adelaide. In preparation for our highly anticipated weekend away, we met up during the week prior for dinner to talk “blogger’s stuff” and of course to eat!

After a few restaurant options were toyed around, we ended up agreeing on West End Deli in West Perth.  Snuggled in the residential end of West Perth, West End Deli is a quaint little bistro owned by a husband and wife duo; Justin and Christine Peters.  I had been here once several years ago and confess my previous experience back then wasn’t very memorable.  I vaguely recall the kitchen appearing to have strong reluctance to adapt any dishes for me and that we waited well over 45 minutes for our breakfast meals only for them to forget our coffees. Twice. Having said that, this was quite some time ago and I know one should try to avoid forming a strong judgement from just one experience.

"amuse bouche" "wonton" "herb and goats cheese" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "West End Deli, West Perth" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Amuse Bouche

It’s incredible how the same dining room, with all the same interiors, can change its whole persona at night.  The casual, sunlit café I remember from previously had magically transformed into a sombre, intimate and classy bistro. It wasn’t long before we all arrived and with glasses of wine in hand we relaxed into the vibe.  Some unexpected amuse bouche were brought to our table; a crisp homemade wonton piped with creamy herb and goats cheese and sprinkled with black sesame seeds.

"amuse bouche" "herb and goats cheese" "pear" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "West End Deli, West Perth" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Gluten free amuse bouche herb and goats cheese on pear

Being unable to eat the wonton, a plump little ball of pear filled with the cheese was offered to me as a replacement. Not wanting to seem ungrateful or fussy, I quickly chowed down on a glucose tablet before I slipped my juicy treat into my mouth.  Being such a small amount of pear, it is easy to counteract the fructose with a small dose of glucose.  For times like these, I carry these tablets everywhere with me.

"Potato terrine" "crème fraiche" "yabby tail" "pickled sardine terrine" "West End Deli, West Perth" "'sauce vierge" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Potato and pickled sardine terrine, sauce vierge

Ai-Ling from Food Endeavours of the Blue Apocalypse started with the potato and pickled sardine terrine topped with a curl of crème fraîche and a poached yabby tail.

"Ricotta gnocchi" "sage" "garlic" "pasta" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "West End Deli, West Perth" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Ricotta gnocchi, sage, garlic

Michelle from Foodie Cravings was initially reluctant to order herself an entrée as we had already earmarked a couple of dishes on the dessert menu and she sensibly wanted to pace herself.  The ricotta gnocchi managed to twist her rubber arm when the waitress informed her it would be no trouble to omit the candied olives and replace with an alternate ingredient.  The gnocchi were light, mini sized pillows, tossed in fresh sage and garlic and tumbled over a thick smear of pesto sauce.

"slow cooked egg" "peas" "bacon" "truffle oil" "white anchovies" "Reggiano" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Slow cooked egg, peas, bacon, truffle oil, white anchovies, Reggiano

I chose the slow cooked egg for entrée as my obsession with these gelatinous beauties continues.  Perched on a nest of crumbled bacon it was accompanied a pea mash flavoured with white anchovies and lashings of truffle oil.  Weblike shavings of Reggiano cheese were sprinkled on top. I struggled to do this dish justice with my photography in the flickering candle light however suffice to say my palate was rewarded. This breakfast-esque spin on bacon and eggs was a winner.

"Charred octopus" "chermoula" "pears" "walnuts" "blood orange" "seafood" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Charred octopus, chermoula, pears, walnuts, blood orange (thanks for the shot Moni ;))

Moni from Gastromony chose the elegantly plated charred octopus. Coated with a thin chermoula crust it came with pear and walnut salad and a smear of blood orange.  Kudos to her assistance with taking a photo for me as my go-go gadget arms couldn’t reach across the table without losing some degree of decorum.  I still get a little embarrassed and feel awkward taking photos of people’s meals as deep in my heart I feel like a novice.

"Seared snapper" "seafood" "prawns" "mussels" "saffron" "tomato" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Seared snapper, prawns, mussels, saffron, tomato

Ideas of pork belly and spatchcock failed to get past the consideration stages for any of us and we all opted for the snapper for mains.  The fish was seared to a butter smooth consistency and balanced precariously over some prawns and mussels.  A thin saffron coloured broth gave a subtle perfumey bitterness to sharpen the softer flavours of this dish. Tarry coloured squid ink brandade was blobbed on top and gave a pleasant piquant aftertaste. Brandade is French sauce made from an emulsion of salt cod and olive oil.

The girls all ordered the potted cheesecake for dessert.  It was served in the same adorable little pots that I saw Rochelle Adonis’s salted caramel mousse recently. Apparently she imports them from France. What was much more curious about this dish was that next to the pot laid an innocent little tube labelled “Squeeze Me” containing salted dulche de leche.

"Potted vanilla cheesecake" "dessert" "salted dulche de leche" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Potted vanilla cheesecake & salted dulche de leche

Curiouser and curiouser.

I wondered if my new found friends would slowly start shrinking in their seats to become miniature pint-sized versions of their former selves.  Thankfully the only surprise to follow was the unexpected layer of popping candy on top of the cheesecake.  No one had any trouble finishing off their desserts which is always a good sign.

"honey vanilla Parfait" "caramelised banana" "dessert" "West End Deli, West Perth" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "West Perth" "WED" "west End Deli" "perth" "french" "bistro"
Parfait and caramelised banana

I was informed by our waitress that none of their desserts on the menu were gluten free however in complete contrast to my experience at West End Deli many moons ago, the chef kindly rose to the occasion and wasn’t going to let me miss out by any means. I was offered a honey vanilla parfait served with a caramelised warm banana.  Grateful for their efforts once more, I didn’t bother going through the finer details that fructose malabsorbers cannot have honey.  I presumed the amount would indeed be small anyway so I sneakily crunched on another couple of glucose tablets. My parfait was a little icy and hard for my liking but this was made up for by the dulcet banana.

I have to be honest; my recent experience at West End Deli has turned my opinion around for the better.  They were accommodating for our varied requests and their service was discrete yet warm and welcoming. As we left the kitchen staff bid us all farewell from the open plan kitchen; a nice touch.  I think I am going to have to give their breaky another try.

West End Deli
95 Carr Street, West Perth, WA 6005 | (08) 9328 3605 | www.westenddeli.net.au
 
Price:                     $$$ ($25-35 per meal, BYO)
Food:                    7.5/10 (flexible with requests, small menu executed well)
Service:                4/5 (attentive without being obtrusive, warm and friendly)
Ambience:           4/5 (very dark ambiance, would be romantic for couples)
Drinks:                  Unable to assess as BYO.
Total:                     15.5/20

 West End Deli on Urbanspoon

9 thoughts on “Pre-Eat.Drink.Blog 3 meet-up at West End Deli, West Perth”

    1. Aw thanks Claire! I did have to stop myself for grabbing one off my friends plate and stealing some!

  1. Happy Blogaversity! This sure looks like a lovely dinner, and it was certainly nice of the kitchen to make the extra effort for you too. I don’t think fructose malabsorbtion would even rate on most kitchens radar! 🙂

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