Sittella

It was a great weekend a few weekends ago to be in the Swan Valley, again. This time it was a for a lovely wine tasting at a couple of places, followed by a lovely lunch at Sittella (booked half an hour before we went there! so naughty of us really and very lucky to get a table) before heading for ice cream (of course!) then home for a nap!

The front entrance to Sittella's Restaurant

 

Sittella is a lovely winery decked out in a very Mediterranean/Tuscany decor. The restaurant overlooks the vineyards and provides an amazing view of the vines and the dam. It was a pity that we didn't get to sit outside, but then again, it was rather hot so I guess indoors was better.

Interior of Sittella's

 

The view of the restaurant from the vineyard

 

We didn't try out their wineries (but will do next time!) as I already had far too much to drink from the first couple of places (and on an empty stomach too!) so it was time for eating. 

We were given our menus and after our order was taken fresh warm bread with creamy butter arrived.

 

Bread and Butter

After devouring our bread we waited inpatiently for our mains. 

Bf ended up getting wagyu beef (grade 7) medium-rare and it was massive cut of meat, however, it wasn't exactly the best wagyu as the fat over-powered the meat, it wasn't "evenly throughout". It wasn't very tender either, more chewy than anything. I think it wasn't so much the produce more the cooking perhaps.

Wagyu steak with potato croquette, mushrooms and vegetables

I on the other hand, didn't know whether to get the salmon or duck, but in the end ended up with the duck. Much to my disappointment, the duck was very fatty. (I realise that duck are generally fatty, but this one probably had more fat than duck meat). The breast was also cut up and I really expected a duck breast on bone (no idea why). It wasn't a bad dish, but just the taste of too much fat through my meats is really not to my liking or taste.

Duck with potato gratin, beetroot and vegetables

The service at Sittella wasn't exactly attentive to us, although they were to other customers in the restaurant. We seemed to have been left with dirty dishes on our table, bread basket not put away and nor were we asked whether we would like a top up. We didn't get our bottle of water until asked for at least a few times. It wasn't like we were sitting in the corner, but I'm not sure if it's because we were a "young" couple compared to others in the restaurant, and thus were seen as less important?

Nonetheless it's a lovely little winery with great views and casual, relaxed ambiance. The food isn't spectacular but it's tasty and nice, but maybe avoid the duck dish, because the salmon looked amazing and I regreted my choice straight away when I saw it come out for the other tables. And if you get a chance why not stroll down to their dam and have a look around.

Bivouac Canteen and Bar made for 3 ladies of leisure!

It's not everyday that I get to be a lady of leisure mid-week through a working week and I plan to take advantage of it fully, especially when two of my favourite gals were also available. We were to have a very New York day, getting our nails done, then eating bagels and jaffas, with cupcakes thrown in between great coffee - doing it all in Little ole Perth, very much far from New York and very much a different vibe of New York.

Alas, our bagel place was closed for renovations (how could I have forgotten that?!) and seeing as Bivouac was on my to eat list we decided it was the best time to go and try it out.

Bivouac Canteen and Bar is located on William Street, part of the newly refurbished Heath Ledger art centre area, opposite Jus Burgers and Arcade 189. It's a quaint little place with simple, uncomplicated decorations and setting with splashes of artworks (which I'm pretty sure is rotated often with different local artists adorning its walls). It's so chilled and relaxed and the staff are ever so friendly and welcoming (which I am so glad for, considering the last couple of places I've been to the service and staff have been appalling or very much not present).

Their menu changes every 2-3 weeks and at times even includes a secret special dish! They food consists of inspired Moroccan/Middle Eastern inspired and fusion Mediterranean dishes, which means it's full of hearty goodness, flavour and spices. The menu has little meals meant for sharing as well as having bigger meals for those who don't like to share. We opted for three bigger meals to taste and share seeing as tapas style dishes just didn't seem right on a lovely day off.

Before our food was ordered Wells and I opted for a glass of red from their rather enticing list of drinks, whilst SM ordered a glass of bubbly. Yes this was at 1pm in the afternoon.

We started off with a serve of homemade fries with beautiful truffle infused aioli. BOY can you taste and smell the truffle in it and it was amazing. This dish really wasn't needed, but it was well worth getting for the truffle aioli. 

I was craving so much for pan-fried gnocchi and seeing one the menu I had to have it. The gnocchi was light, fluffy with a bit of bite to it. With the kale, stracchino, pine nuts adding the dimension of crunch along with the sweetness of the raisins it was made to almost satisfy my craving. Except, I still think that their gnocchi wasn't perfect and I would say Cantina edged ahead a little to be the winner. But it was still delicious and light but carbohydrate satisfying =D. Maybe a bit of salt was needed or just a dash of oil so it wasn't dry.

Pan-friend Gnocchi with Kale, Stracchino, Pine Nuts, Raisins, Soft herbs

Then there was the lovely okra and freekeh risotto with confit cherry tomato, mushrooms, truffle oil and taleggio. It was creamy, the mushroom with truffle oil - how can that not be match made in heaven? This meal was hearty, creamy goodness. What the gnocchi lacked in salt and punch the risotto made up for it. It hit the spot. Unfortunately the photo may not be that pretty. I don't know how you can possibly make risotto look pretty.

Okra and Freekeh risotto, confit cherry tomato, mushrooms, truffle oil taleggio

Since our meals were mainly vegetarian, we opted for the secret dish - the seared tuna with crusted with coriander and peppercorn, saffron vanilla fondante potatoes, tonka bean mayo and jamon crumb.

The tonka bean mayo was rather delicious and add the dash of lime to the tuna and the dish was pretty satisfying. Although I don't know if I was a fan of the jamon crumb. 

 

seared bluefin tuna crusted w coriander and peppercorn, saffron vanilla fondante potatoes, tonka bean mayo and jamon crumb.

The only big disappointment in our meal was that we were unable to have our dessert as we were all running late for our manicures. But that just means that we have to go back. And why wouldn't we? The service was attentive, friendly and chatty and yet weren't intrusive. They were patient with one of us running late and Wells and I only ordering drinks to start and then when all three of us were there they were again patient with our inability to make up our minds about what meals we wanted. The food was yum. The wine list well chosen. The desserts sounded amazing.

Overall, Bivouac is a great addition to the food scene in Perth and can't wait to try more of their dishes. I think I be bringing the boy here to try it. I think he'll love the gnocchi, minus the pine nuts (I don't want to kill him!)

 

Mez restaurant

I went to the Mez with a group of work mates one night after a work function that didn't exactly feed us very much.

Mez restaurant is a Mediterranean restaurant on the corner of Parker street and James street, you know that building with the stairs at the front.

The restaurant is loud, it's stuffy (as in hot.. no room to breathe stuffy) and the service leaves little to be desired.

As for the food? It was in agreement that the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't fantastic. Although, I lean towards bad, because I ordered the sizzling garlic prawns and the prawns were still a little hard - and was drenched in OIL. I couldn't taste anything else except oil. In fact I couldn't finish it at all. Clearly, sizzling prawns were not their dish to have at this place.

Sizzling prawns

One of the girls had the souvlaki (pork) and she said it was marinated will, although not extremely tender, she said the dish was filling and enjoyed her meal.

Pork Souvlaki

The Lamb Kleftiko - the slow roasted lamb chunks were delicious and filled with flavour, but they were rather reserved on their serving portion.

 

Lamb Klefitko

Another one of the girls had the grilled calamari tossed through with garlic and flamed with ouzo, she said the calamari flavours were delish but it was a little chewy.

Grilled Calamari

The Mez is loud - to the point where you are almost shouting at one another and the service is less than desirable with the food taking almost 30-45minutes to arrive to our table of four. For the price you pay and for what you get (in terms of quantity and quality) there are a lot better places in Perth than Mez.

The Beaufort Street Merchant

I walk pass The Beaufort Street Merchant and drive pass it even more. Having visited their unique wine shop and gourmet goodie store, I have always wanted to try their food but have never had the opportunity.

I finally ventured into The Beaufort Street Merchant with a group of work mates - all of whom are avid foodies. We managed to book a Friday night dinner for about 12 people about a month ago and I couldn't have been more excited.

We managed to find a two very nice red wines from their wine range (which is not just limited to what's on the list but you are also free to chose any wine that is sold at their wine cellar area) their list is not just limited to wines; cocktails and beers are also available. We grabbed the 2009 BONE TREE HILL CABERNET MERLOT and the 2009 SOL DE MAYO MALBEC ARG ENTINA - both were easy drinking and went perfectly well with their menu.

The dinner started off with two share plates - the Spanish Tasting Board and the French Tasting Board. I didn't have the opportunity to try the French Tasting Board, but I was a little disappointed with the Spainsh tasting plate. I've had better. But the olives, roasted almonds and the cheese was fantastic and the bread was beautiful.

The Spanish Tasting Board

 

The French Tasting Board

The mains, however were beautiful. Our group ended up picking a few different dishes from the menu. 

There was the Coq Au Vin Pie - which was so hearty and beautifully flavoured. The slow cooked chicken coq au vin was tender, it was well mixed with bacon and the red wine sauce was just the right touch. All this was served on top of a nice layer of mash potatoe. It was the perfect meal for a cold winter's night. Highly recommended.

  Coq Au Vin Pie

Then there was the fish of the day - barrumundi - it was cooked to perfection, cripsy skin juicy fish. In a fantastic sauce.

Fish of the Day

One of the girls had the steak burger - something light and easy. But it was still a massive serving and looked and smelt fantastic. The chips that came with it was from sliced pieces of potatoes and was nice, cripsy and well salted, and the aioli that came with it was one of the better homemade aioli I've had.

The Steak Burger

The last dish and the one that I ended up getting was probably the most disappointing. I had one of their specials the Duck - cooked in several different ways. It was a bit dry in some areas and just seemed lacking compared to the flavours of their fish and the pie.

Duck Special

After such a disappointing main, I had a fantastic dessert. I had the Nutmeg and Quince Custard Tart with spiced pear compote and it was just so divine. The perfectly baked crisp tart shell enhanced by the silky custard filling. This was made even more enjoyable by eating it with the spiced pear compote.

Nutmeg and Quince Custard Tart with Spiced Pear Compote

The Double Chocolate Jaffa Pudding with vanilla bean icecream

Mixed Berry Cobbler with maple pecan ice cream

with anglaise

The mixed berry cobbler was beautifully warm and hearty dessert with beautiful homemade pecan ice cream.

The Beaufort street Merchant has shown why it is so popular with the locals and foodies alike. The quality of their food is high, well executed, flavours wholesome and the dining experience was wonderful with great ambience and loving that haphazard, rustic, found-objects & Asian timber carvings interior. I can't wait to try it again and to come one day for breakfast! 

In Contro South Perth

I picked In Contro to eat out for two reaons FIRSTLY it had awesome view of Perth, undisrupted views of the city skyline. Secondly it was in the Gold Entertainment book.

The restaurant is situated on the South Perth esplanade on the corner of the ever busy popular Meads street. You enter the restaurant on the Meads street side and you confronted with the bar, the enterance and the bar is rather confined, but the restaurant is pretty open spaced with a pretty great view of Perth. The whole place is dimly lit, the chairs rather uncomfortable, in fact it really hurts your buttocks. Whoever picked out the furnishing of the place needs to be shot, seating should always be comfortable, especially at a restaurant!

The photos here look really bright because I turned up the ISO and turned off the flash.

The ambience was rather chilled, although it also had this feel of disorgansation and chaos, mainly stemming from the staff. This was rather obvious when it took them half an hour to ONE hour to take our drinks order, ONE hour for our mains to arrive, (which in retrospect we were grateful that M ordered the bread), half an hour for them to take our dessert order, another half hour for it to show up (which wasn't too bad seeing as we were still full from our mains, if we weren't I think there would have been murder).

Our starter Bread and meats

The food was pretty good.. not bad, not spectacular,

S had the Beef wellington -Beef fillet, mushrooms, truffle, puff pastry, green bean tomato, anchovies. The puff pastry was fantastic, the pastry was puffy, buttery and all things a pastry should be. The beef tender and well cooked.

Bf had the Beef Cheek - Coffee braised beef cheek, caramelised pumpkin, potato gnocchi, balsamic onion, which was also beautifully cooked.

K had the Mt. Barker Chicken - Mount Barker free range chicken, chorizo sausage, kipfler potatoes, spinach, smokey paprika aioli. The chicken wasn't dry, it was cooked well.

M had the Spanish Seafood curry - seafood, pilaff rice, cucumber salsa. I didn't get to taste it so I can't comment, but according to him it was great.

I opted for a light meal and because I was craving pasta with olive oil I settled on the Vongole, which consisted of clams, linguini pasta, prawns, chilli, garlic, extra virgin olive oil. It was light, it needed salt and seasoning as well as cracked pepper which they did not offer. I was rather disappointed and regreted that I didn't have the duck.

After the mains, the part that saved this restaurant from having 5 very unhappy diners (we don't like to wait), was the dessert. The desserts at In Contro is absolutely fantastic.

We had 3 desserts to share, the first was

Trio of Vanilla panacotta, hazelnut brulee, berry bavarois - they were all fairly well done and fantastic, I especially loved the panacotta.

Kennedy and Wilson chocolate donuts, old English toffee ice cream, Gnangara strawberries - This was bf's pick and it was probably the best one out of the three, the donuts were warm and when you cut it open, perfect fondue of chocolate pours out. It went fantastically well with the ice cream and the strawberries.

The third one was a crepe, i forgot what it was called and what it had inside the crepe, but I wasn't a big fan of it, might explain why I can't remember. It didn't taste too bad, but just wasn't my favourite.


Overall, In Contro isn't a bad place, but it's suppose to be a fine dining venue (based on it's location and prime views) but unfortunately, with that regards it just doesn't deliver. The prices are relatively competitive, it's very average Perth price, and it's below average on the service, and the food, well, just isn't fine dine standards just yet, almost there, but not quite.