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Braying with a Hee-Haw of pleasure at el PÚBLICO

Posted by  | Categories: Bars, Featured, Mexican, Perth, Restaurants, Wine Bar

I am known for my obsession with planning. Before going on a holiday I will spend weeks researching the best accommodation, the absolute “must eat” restaurants and other things to see and do which usually are predominately food orientated. This strong need for mapping out the future doesn’t necessarily come from a desire to control but more a fear of missing out. Yes, I suffer from FOMO. Although I am what some may consider an organisation freak, I can still have moments of spontaneity and when those care free moments involve food I am happy to throw all planning out the window. The Boy can be hard to convince to dine out during the week but when I mentioned the key words “Mexican” and “beer” he became very agreeable. Unbelievably we still hadn’t visited el PÚBLICO despite being regulars at their other popular joints Greenhouse and Cantina 663.

"Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

El Publico is one of the first “real” Mexican places to open up in Perth after a plague of El Paso-styled greasy spoons tarnished our streets for years. Their vision is to serve Mexican street food and both the owners and the chefs have travelled through Mexico to submerge themselves in its authenticity. They accept walk-ins and only take bookings for groups over six thus they fitted the bill perfectly to be the venue for our spur of the moment outing. They offer a number of vegetarian and gluten free options which are both cleared marked on the ever-changing seasonal menu.  We started with the fried chickpeas with burnt tortilla salt and the crispy street prawns.

"Fried chickpea" "burnt tortilla salt" "crispy street prawns" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Fried chickpea burnt tortilla salt ($5) & crispy street prawns ($9)

The street prawns were reminiscent of the fried insect stalls at the night markets in Thailand and are surprisingly moreish. They are a little prickly in the mouth so I do not recommend downing too many at one time or their teeny legs poke into the inside of your cheeks. I washed the salty critters down with a glass of 2011 Ventisquero Pinot Noir from the Casablanca Valley, Chile whilst the Boy drank a bottle of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

"cuttlefish tostada" "jalapeno" "corn salsa" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Cuttlefish tostada ($12)

We ordered a bunch of share plates to be brought out staggered in a very sociable Mexican style of tapas dining. This proved to be conducive to meandering chatter between the Boy and me taking us both far away from our working week and into a relaxed and happy place. I wish the Boy would be keen on mid-week outings more often! Our cuttlefish was served on crisp tostada with a jalapeño and corn salsa. Fresh summer flavours tossed with soft pieces of cuttlefish left a refreshing spritz on the palate.

"salmon ceviche" "tomato" "avocado lime" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Salmon ceviche ($18)

The salmon ceviche was similarly uplifting with cubes of raw salmon cured by the lime juice dressing buried in among chunks of tomato, avocado and coriander. A touch similar in its profile to the cuttlefish, it made me dream of the long summer months soon to come.

"potato taco" "peppers" "chile de arboi" "queso" "potato" "taco" "queso" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Potato tacos ($6.50)

After two rounds of seemingly healthy and light dishes, it was time to get down and dirty with some tacos. Now I’m not talking about refried beans, avocado and tomato salsa. I’m talking about REAL tacos! There were a few to choose from that were suitable for me so we agreed to share the vegetarian option; the potato tacos.

"potato taco" "peppers" "chile de arboi" "queso" "potato" "taco" "queso" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Potato tacos ($6.50)

Deep fried cubes of potato and cheese topped with the skinniest slivers of potato made a picture perfect handful. We were very tempted to order another round of these tacos and I recommend that if you see them on the menu again … DO IT!

By this point in the meal, my planning brain had already scanned the dessert menu and selected my choice so I would have been more than happy to move onto sweets. The Boy thought differently and with room in his belly for more he knew ordering another round would be easy. When it comes to having seconds, I suffer from a serious case of rubber arm.

"black bean" "cheese" "quesadillas" "black bean cheese quesadillas" "green sauce" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

black bean cheese quesadillas ($12)

One of the last vegetarian options left on the menu were the black bean quesadillas. Our waitress warned us that they were very filling which prompted the Boy to order them immediately. Four soft pillows of corn quesadillas filled with cheesy black bean goodness were topped with punchy green sauce. Yes, she was right, they were quite filling but despite my smaller size I can fit a large amount of food into me and we finished them without discomfort leaving room for dessert.

"dessert" "desserts" "parfait" "peanut butter parfait" "dulce de leche" "praline" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

peanut butter parfait dulce de leche praline ($10)

And what a dessert it was. Let’s hope THIS one never comes off the menu. Peanut butter parfait topped with rocks of dulce de leche that literally collapse in your mouth on contact with your tongue. It really was a killer.

"dessert" "desserts" "parfait" "peanut butter parfait" "dulce de leche" "praline" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Like as if we hadn’t eaten enough, to finish off our last drinks we nibbled on a couple of chocolate chilli truffles. The Boy wasn’t mad on these as they were quite bitter but he wouldn’t’ let me eat his for him so I guess they weren’t so bad. After our socks being knocked off by our dessert, it was really pointless eating anything else.

"chocolate" "truffle" "Chocolate chilli truffle" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Eat Drink Blog" "EDB13" "EDB4" "Blogging conference" "Eat Drink Blog Conference" "Food blogger" "perth small bars" "cocktails" "Mexican" "Mexican Perth" "mexican street food" "tequila bar" "el Publico" "Beaufort Street" "Mount lawley" "mt Lawley" "highgate" "Perth tacos" "Street food"

Chocolate chilli truffle ($4 for two)

It may have taken us a while to get ourselves to el PÚBLICO but our visit has left me repeatedly wondering how soon we can head back. It has a heart and soul that is packed with spunk and effortless cool. And it has a neon donkey on the bar. Now everyone who knows me KNOWS how much I love donkeys!

el PÚBLICO
511 Beaufort Street, Highgate WA 6003 | 0418 187 708 | www.elpublico.com.au
 
Price:                     $$ (Entrees $9-18, Mains $24-28)
Food:                    4.5/5 (captures our seasonal produce and injects a little Mexico into it!)
Service:                4/5 (funny, efficient and helpful with suggestions)
Ambience:          4/5 (vibrant, happening and noisy)
Drinks:                  4/5 (small well thought out wine list….over 100 Tequilas behind the bar!)
Total:                     15.5/20

el PÚBLICO on Urbanspoon

Meeting some famous Foodies at Tapas 24, Barcelona

Posted by  | Categories: Barcelona, Bars, Featured, Tapas Bar, Travel

Earlier this year I was in Barcelona for eight days to attend a conference. Despite this being a short trip, I managed to squeeze in a tremendous amount of eating and I can proudly look back and commend myself with my efforts. The downside of my gluttony was incrementally revealed day by day as I stood in front of my hotel room mirror each morning I could see my waist line slowly enlarging! After the first few days I realised I needed an action plan and so first thing in the morning I forcibly dragged myself out of bed hung-over and blearily eyed in order to jog up the 200 stairs leading to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.

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Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

On reaching the summit I nearly tripped over my own feet in exhaustion with my sides heavily heaving and my face flushed tomato red. Feeling hideously nauseous but oh-so-satisfied I vowed to return to repeat it all again the next day. This was my warped mental justification for spending the remainder of my day eating.

After thoroughly enjoying a vibrant degustation solo at Restaurant Nectari, I accepted that eating alone in a restaurant isn’t nearly as daunting or as boring as I originally had once thought and so off I set on foot to do it again. Prior to my departure from Perth I had read about Chef Carles Abellan and was keen to try one of his tapas bars. After getting a little lost wandering the streets of Barcelona I conveniently stumbled upon one of his restaurants Tapas 24.

"marinated olives" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Spain Food blog" "Spain restaurant reviews" "Spain travel blog" "Barcelona Food blog" "Barcelona restaurant reviews" "Barcelona travel blog""Spain" "Barcelona" "Barcelona restaurants" "gluten free Barcelona" "gluten free Spain" "barcelona fine dining" "barcelona degustation" "barcelona tapas" "tapas 24" "gluten free tapas" "Carles Abellan"

Complementary marinated olives

One of the waiters could speak very good English and was happy to help me choose a couple of dishes that would be gluten free. I looked around and noticed there was a mix of locals and tourists and was relieved that I hadn’t landed myself in a tourist trap. As I waited for my dishes to be prepared I was brought some flavourful, soft marinated olives on the house.

"sea bass ceviche" "raw fish" "chilli" "Cebiche de corvina" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Spain Food blog" "Spain restaurant reviews" "Spain travel blog" "Barcelona Food blog" "Barcelona restaurant reviews" "Barcelona travel blog""Spain" "Barcelona" "Barcelona restaurants" "gluten free Barcelona" "gluten free Spain" "barcelona fine dining" "barcelona degustation" "barcelona tapas" "tapas 24" "gluten free tapas" "Carles Abellan"

Ceviche de corvina (9.40€)

My orders came out one by one allowing me enough time to sit and enjoy each one without feeling like a greedy piglet surrounded by her solitary feast. My first dish was ceviche de corvina; thinly sliced raw sea bass. The fish was nearly translucent and delicate, tasting as fresh as the sea and melting in my mouth upon contact. It was served chilled on a bed of ice with fresh chilli and avocado on a crisp baby cos leaf.

"iberica steak" "black pig steak" "Presa iberica" "chimichurri" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Spain Food blog" "Spain restaurant reviews" "Spain travel blog" "Barcelona Food blog" "Barcelona restaurant reviews" "Barcelona travel blog""Spain" "Barcelona" "Barcelona restaurants" "gluten free Barcelona" "gluten free Spain" "barcelona fine dining" "barcelona degustation" "barcelona tapas" "tapas 24" "gluten free tapas" "Carles Abellan"

Presa iberica with chimichurri (9.60€)

The next dish was the Presa iberica with chimichurri. This was an Iberican pork dish that was quite unlike any pork I have ever had. The meat was a rich ruby red colour and it was served rare like a fine beef fillet topped with spoonfuls of spicy chimichurri. It was incredibly juicy and tender as was by far my favourite dish of the afternoon.

 "black pig steak" "Presa iberica" "chimichurri" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Spain Food blog" "Spain restaurant reviews" "Spain travel blog" "Barcelona Food blog" "Barcelona restaurant reviews" "Barcelona travel blog""Spain" "Barcelona" "Barcelona restaurants" "gluten free Barcelona" "gluten free Spain" "barcelona fine dining" "barcelona degustation" "barcelona tapas" "tapas 24" "gluten free tapas" "Carles Abellan"

And a close up….

As I waited for my next dish to arrive, the family sitting at the bar next to me turned towards me and asked me where I was from in a familiar Australian accent. It turned out that they too were from Perth and we soon got busy chatting. Theo, the father of the family humbly talked about his day job owning a family run seafood distribution business and that this was his first family holiday in many years. As he spoke it suddenly dawned upon me who he was and I blurted out:

“Are you the real Mr Kailis from the Kailis Brothers? OMG! You are basically like Perth foodie royalty!”

Oh dear. Perhaps this is why I shouldn’t dine out on my own. My mouth speaks before I think, especially once I’ve been drinking wine!

"pulled pork tacos" "Tacos de cochinita pibil" "Tacos" "cochinita pibil" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Spain Food blog" "Spain restaurant reviews" "Spain travel blog" "Barcelona Food blog" "Barcelona restaurant reviews" "Barcelona travel blog""Spain" "Barcelona" "Barcelona restaurants" "gluten free Barcelona" "gluten free Spain" "barcelona fine dining" "barcelona degustation" "barcelona tapas" "tapas 24" "gluten free tapas" "Carles Abellan"

Tacos de cochinita pibil (9€)

Realising that I may have just totally embarrassed myself and possibly also Theo, he graciously brushed my compliment aside with a very down to Earth and warm manner. With perfect timing my last dish arrived; tacos de cochinita pibil. Cochinita pibil is a traditional Mexican slow cooked pork dish where citrus is used to marinate the meat to give an acidic tangy flavour. It was served with fresh limes and red onions but of course I omitted the onions due to my fructose malabsorption. This was the perfect dish to end on; it was satisfying, filling and very tasty albeit somewhat messy.

Over the next few days I tried my hardest to get back to Tapas 24 for a second meal but unfortunately didn’t manage it. To be sure it will remain on my hit list for when I return back to Barcelona with the Boy. It was so inspiring to meet the Kailis family, their business is a household name for most of us Perth foodies and when I go shopping at their fish café I’m like a child in a lolly shop wanting to buy more than I could possibly eat.

Shortly upon my return to Perth I returned to their Fish Café in Leederville for a very enjoyable meal where I found their marinated octopus was as good as that I ate in Barcelona. And that is saying something!

 
Tapas 24
Calle diputación, 269, Barcelona 08007 | +34 (0) 934 880 977 | www.carlesabellan.es/restaurantes-tapas-24
 
Price:                     $$$                                        
Food:                    4/5 (hard to fully assess with only 3 dishes but fresh ingredients and great flavours)
Service:                4.5/5 (my waiter wouldn’t let me leave & gave me a extra glass of wine on the house! Too sweet)
Ambience:          3/5 (I went and sat straight at the bar where the action was at)
Drinks:                  3.5/5 (mainly Spanish wines on the list – ask the waiter for a suggestion)
Total:                     15/20

 

 

Yelp Elite Event Five Bar Spring/Summer Menu Launch

Posted by  | Categories: Bars, Events, Featured, Perth, Pub, Restaurants, Wine Bar

Yelp is a company that operates a local search website focused on user reviews much like Urbanspoon, however it encompasses all types of businesses not just restaurants and cafes. Whilst Yelp originated in the US nearly ten years ago, it has more recently landed upon our shores in Australia and has grown steadily in its popularity since. Each capital city has its own dedicated team of promoters who host a number of fun events for their “Yelp Elite” reviewers with the aim to help raise the profile of local businesses. I don’t often blog about these events however my most recent experience at Five Bar has made me want to share my renewed opinion of this venue with you.

"Old School" "chicken liver Parfait" "watercress" "baguette" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Old School Chicken Liver Parfait with watercress and baguette (not GF)

"Chinese Style" "Prawn Toasts" "fresh lemon" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Chinese Style Prawn Toasts with fresh lemon (not GF)

I first visited Five Bar back in my early blogging days in November 2011. I cannot believe how much my writing style and photography have developed since then! Whilst I didn’t have anything truly negative to say about that visit, I did find I was very limited with what I could eat that would suit my food allergies. There was a distinct lack of flexibility with kitchen staff and as a result we didn’t return. When I recently received an invitation to their new Spring menu launch I was intrigued to see how they would handle my requirements this time round.

"Roasted field mushrooms" "feta" "balsamic cream" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Andy from Five & Roasted field mushrooms, feta balsamic cream (GF)

After being greeted by the always smiling Yelp team, Five Bar’s manager Andy welcomed us warmly and talked us through the philosophy and history behind Five Bar. Later in the evening he came over to me to chat and explained that in previous years gone by his kitchen staff weren’t as familiar in working with customers with food allergies as his current staff are today. He carefully advised me what I could and couldn’t enjoy off their tasting menu and assured me that the kitchen would organise a couple of extra gluten free dishes just for me.

"Sweet potato fries" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Sweet potato fries (GF, $8)

I was happy to see two of my favourite gluten free dishes from my previous visit remained on the menu as regulars; the roasted field mushrooms and the addictive sweet potato fries. The mushrooms are normally served on bread but are just as tasty on their own. The sweet potato fries come with a coriander mayo and are the type of chips you would fight someone over for the last one. The kitchen appeared to be well rehearsed in churning out a number of gluten free options for me over the course of the evening. Now whilst I understand that at a free sponsored event it is impossible to document an honest, accurate review of the food because the chef knows that people will be scrutinising it; I wouldn’t have thought that a total change in attitude towards food allergies would be something that you could fake.

"Crispy duck salad" "cucumber" "chilli" "herbs" "Hazelnut" "red wine shallot vinaigrette" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Crispy duck salad, cucumber, chilli, herbs, hazelnut & red wine shallot vinaigrette (GF, available as a main for $27)

"Coriander" "Avocado" "Ceviche" "cucumber" "Crispy Salmon Skin" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Coriander & Avocado Ceviche with cucumber & Crispy Salmon Skin (GF)

There was a distinct Asian influence with a lot of the dishes making them light and easy to eat, the perfect food to match with a casual Sunday session with friends. The coriander and avocado ceviche with cucumber and crispy salmon skin tasted as fresh as summer and I was informed by the beer drinkers it matched perfectly with the chosen beers from Feral Brewery.

"Pulled Pork" "Vietnamese" "Pulled Pork Banh Mi Roll" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Mini Pulled Pork Banh Mi Roll (not GF)

"Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Steve from Feral Brewing

To wrap up the night, Steve from Feral Brewery gave us a very animated and passionate summary of what his microbrewery Feral is about. You can read about my recent visit to Feral Brewing Company here.

It may not come as a surprise to you that after eating all this food the Boy and I still wanted more. I take this food blogging career very seriously; it’s not a successful foodie outing until I am bursting at the seams. I am one of those strange people that actually really enjoys the feeling of being overly full. Thankfully the Boy and I were joined by a couple of other like-minded food bloggers; Whitney from dineWHITme and Sandy from Hungry Again. The four of us bundled ourselves up in jackets and scarves and traipsed down Beaufort Street to the Beaufort Street Merchant.

"Chickpea chips" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

. Chickpea chips

As always the Merchant had plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options to satisfy our needs. I particularly liked their chick pea chips. Thick cut like polenta, they were fluffy light inside almost like tofu.

"Potato Gnocchi" "truffled Swiss Brown Mushrooms" "Toasted Hazelnuts" "Comte" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Potato Gnocchi ($29)

Whit and Sandy shared the potato gnocchi which we were informed they considered it to be the best gnocchi in town. With added truffled Swiss Brown mushrooms, toasted hazelnuts and comte cheese it may have been a fair statement. Oh gluten why do you have to be in gnocchi?

"Vitello Tonnato" "Tuna Mayo" "Crumbed Mozzarella" "Baby Chard" "Crispy Capers" "Baby potato" "Brussel Sprouts" "Truffle Mayo" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Vitello Tonnato ($22) with Baby potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Truffle Mayo ($9)

I ordered the vitello tonnato; thinly sliced veal dressed with a thick tuna mayo, crispy capers and crumbed mozzarella that I was assured by our waiter was gluten free. I also ordered some baby potatoes on the side which came with Brussel sprouts and truffled mayo. I must admit that as I ate each indulgent ball of crumbed mozzarella, there were alarm bells going off in the back depths of my brain saying: “Warning! Warning! Gluten alert!”. I mean since when are crumbed mozzarella balls gluten free? However courtesy of the sultry dim lighting, excesses of wine and abundance of good conversation my subconscious’s attempt to save me was wasted.

"Organic Spelt Salad" "Harissa Spelt" "Coriander" "Sweet corn" "Cherry Tomato" "Radish" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Perth bars" "Perth restaurants" "Perth food reviews" "breakfast" "casual dining" "vegetarian" "brunch" "wine bar" "Five Bar" "Five Bar Beaufort" "Beaufort Street" "Highgate" "Mount Lawley" "mt lawley" "Beaufort Street Merchant" "Beaufort st merchant" "Yelp Elite" "Yelp Perth" "Feral brewery" "feral brewing company"

Organic Spelt Salad ($24)

The Boy ordered the organic spelt salad which almost looked too healthy to be tasty but I was assured that not only did his body thank him but so did his taste buds. The spelt was tossed through some spicy Harissa along with coriander, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes and radish.

This night was one of those rare occasions where was no room for dessert and as the Boy and I both had to start work the following day at an obscenely early hour we were happy to call it a night. The penny didn’t drop that I had eaten gluten until much later into the wee hours of the morning when I was woken by the delightful effects that gluten casts upon me. Suffice to say my next day at work was quite a grim one. Gluten makes me very fuzzy in the head and it is no surprise that I ended up crashing my car on the way home from work! Damn you gluten! I was left feeling very disappointed as I have always thoroughly enjoyed my visits to the Beaufort Street Merchant. Not anymore. On a brighter note, I’ll be sure to be returning to Five Bar.

For my breakfast review of the Beaufort Street Merchant click here.

Five Bar
560 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley WA 6050 | 0467 534 267 | www.fivebar.com.au

Five Bar on Urbanspoon

The Beaufort Street Merchant
488 Beaufort Street, Highgate WA 6003 | (08) 9328 6299 | www.beaufortmerchant.com

The Beaufort Street Merchant on Urbanspoon

Sky high on the 57th level of Marina Bay Sands @ Sky on 57, Singapore

Posted by  | Categories: Degustation/Fine dining, Featured, French, Restaurants, Singapore, Travel

On our way home from Phuket still loved up and emotionally high on wedding bliss, we stopped over in Singapore for a few days to unwind before heading home.  We flew in Singapore accompanied by my Dad and Step mum who were also stopping over albeit only for a few hours. The thought of returning back to a heavy work load loomed dark over their minds so for one last hurrah we took to the incredible SkyPark up on the 57th level of the MBS building. There are two restaurants up in the clouds on SkyPark; Ku Da Ta and Sky on 57.  As Ku De Ta served a buffet style lunch we chose to dine at Sky on 57 for a more classy experience with a view.

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Marina Bay Sands. The SkyPark is the top level.

Our time in Phuket was the most amazing holiday of our lives and we were strongly determined to hold onto the last shreds of celebrations over a bottle of champagne. Still not accustomed to all the bling on my finger, I couldn’t help but take a little cheesy shot as it glimmered in the light. Excuse the shrivelled eczema hands thanks to years of eating gluten.

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Cheers again husband!

Head Chef Justin Quek’s style pulls from local Asian cuisines with some hints of European influences.  Singaporean classics like Hainanese Chicken Rice and Hokkien Mee featured on the menu alongside more French inspired dishes like pan seared foie gras and mussel veloute.  The view from the dining room expands across the whole end of the SkyPark’s end deck giving impressive views across the Marina Bay and the city skyline.

"Salmon and Oyster tartare" "mango and basil coulis" "micro salad" "seafood tartare" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Singapore Food blog" "Singapore restaurant reviews" "Singapore food" "Singapore" "travel blog" "Singapore travel blog" "celebrity restaurant" "Marina Bay Sands" "Sands SkyPark" "SkyPark" "sky Park" "Singapore Casino" "Sky 57" "fine dining singapore" "asian" "asian fusion" "francoasian" "Justin Quek" "Ku De Ta"

Salmon and Oyster tartare, mango and basil coulis, micro salad

My salmon and oyster tartare tasted like a breath of the sea, fresh, salty and not overly fishy. It was beautifully presented with carefully blobbed pearls of mango and basil coulis polka dotted around my slate plate. The mango gave an added creamy sweetness that wasn’t too overpowering.

"Tempura" "Soft Shelled crab" "ginger flower dressing" "crunchy vegetables" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Singapore Food blog" "Singapore restaurant reviews" "Singapore food" "Singapore" "travel blog" "Singapore travel blog" "celebrity restaurant" "Marina Bay Sands" "Sands SkyPark" "SkyPark" "sky Park" "Singapore Casino" "Sky 57" "fine dining singapore" "asian" "asian fusion" "francoasian" "Justin Quek" "Ku De Ta"

Tempura of Soft Shelled crab, ginger flower dressing, crunchy vegetables

Dad and the Boy often share similar tastes in food.  It was no surprise to me when they both ordered the soft-shelled crab, a dish that has reached near obsession level with the both of them.  These critters were very meaty and the serving size for an entrée was substantial considering this was fine dining.

"Buri Oh Ceviche" "micro greens" "dried seaweed" "truffle vinaigrette" "sustainable fishing" "Japanese Amberjack" "hamachi" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Singapore Food blog" "Singapore restaurant reviews" "Singapore food" "Singapore" "travel blog" "Singapore travel blog" "celebrity restaurant" "Marina Bay Sands" "Sands SkyPark" "SkyPark" "sky Park" "Singapore Casino" "Sky 57" "fine dining singapore" "asian" "asian fusion" "francoasian" "Justin Quek" "Ku De Ta"

Buri Oh Ceviche, micro greens, dried seaweed, truffle vinaigrette

My Step mum ordered the Buri oh ceviche. Wafer thin slices of sustainably farmed Japanese Amberjack, or Hamachi fish sat on a bed of fresh micro-greens and colourful flowers. It was served with truffle vinaigrette however I couldn’t taste any truffle in the mouthful I tried.  Her fish was similarly fresh and delicately soft.

"Maine Lobster" "Asian Pepper Sauce" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Singapore Food blog" "Singapore restaurant reviews" "Singapore food" "Singapore" "travel blog" "Singapore travel blog" "celebrity restaurant" "Marina Bay Sands" "Sands SkyPark" "SkyPark" "sky Park" "Singapore Casino" "Sky 57" "fine dining singapore" "asian" "asian fusion" "francoasian" "Justin Quek" "Ku De Ta"

Sautéed Maine Lobster in Asian Pepper Sauce

My Dad and Step mum are generous people and love to spoil those they love. When Dad spotted the two of us pretending not to see the Maine lobster dish on the menu he asked us if we had eaten it before.  I confessed I hadn’t  the only crayfish I have eaten has been Australian in origin. Upon hearing this he insisted we all have the Lobster despite it being nearly three times to price of the rest of the mains choices. It was lightly sautéed in an Asian Pepper sauce and was nothing like any Cray fish I have had before.  In a mouthful I understood what all the fanfare and fuss is about, it is surprisingly sweet and incredibly tender. Totally out of this world. I want more. It’s hard to believe this delicacy was once a food reserved only for slaves and prisoners!

"Milo ice cream" "evaporated milk anglaise" "coffee emulsion" “Jivara” "chocolate crumble" "dessert" "valrhona" "Perth Restaurant Reviews" "food photos" "Perth food blog" "food blog" "Chompchomp" "Gluten free" "Fructose malabsorption" "Singapore Food blog" "Singapore restaurant reviews" "Singapore food" "Singapore" "travel blog" "Singapore travel blog" "celebrity restaurant" "Marina Bay Sands" "Sands SkyPark" "SkyPark" "sky Park" "Singapore Casino" "Sky 57" "fine dining singapore" "asian" "asian fusion" "francoasian" "Justin Quek" "Ku De Ta"

Milo ice cream, evaporated milk anglaise, coffee emulsion, “Jivara” chocolate crumble

We still had a bit of time to kill and looked around for our waitress to order some desserts.  Unfortunately it would appear that in the afternoon the restaurant staff seemed to develop a little bit of amnesia and forgot about our existence as they vacuumed around us and moved tables.  After a good 15 minutes we managed to catch their eye and finally order  our desserts. We ordered two serves of the Milo ice-cream to share amongst the four of us. This dish was ultra-chocolaty with a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. Any excuse to squeeze in a bit of Valrhona chocolate is fine by me!

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Thanks Dad xxx

Once again there was a virtual cloak of invisibility surrounding our table while we were waiting to order our coffees and then again for said coffees to be brought to table.  It was a little disconcerting that while we waited for over twenty minutes for our hot drinks most of the staff chatted and laughed standing by the bar.  A sad drop in customer service compared to the beginning of the afternoon. The wait was long enough for my Dad to write nearly four pages full in my wedding guestbook.  I was so touched to read later that night that he had remembered his speech from the wedding night off by heart and written it down word for word for me to keep forever.

Sky on 57

Sands SkyPark, Tower 1, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956 | +65 6688 8857 |
Price:                     $$$
Food:                    4.5/5 (exceptionally fresh ingredients, faultless preparation)
Service:                2/5 (unfortunately didn’t match up to the incredible food)
Ambience:          3.5/5 (wondrous views, dining room a little clinical)
Drinks:                  4.5/5 (champagne, what can I say?)
Total:                     14.5/20