What’s happening in Perth food news this week
Here’s a deliciously snackable selection of the latest in Perth food news this week:
Nazzar brings Mediterranean-leaning brunch to Beaufort Street
After months of delays, Nazzar on Beaufort have triumphantly, finally, opened their doors! Located at 539 Beaufort Street, they’ll be serving their signature Mediterranean(ish) twist on brunch six days a week. Tempting menu highlights include the Nazzar take on Turkish eggs, Persian corn fritters – or, excitingly, a fried chicken croissant with spiced butter, pickled cucumber, smoked labneh and curry leaf.
A new wine bar is set to open in the CBD, from Perth’s only Master of Wine
A brand new wine bar has emerged from within the city’s hidden nooks and crannies. Tucked away down Wesley Lane (behind Wesley Church), Enoteca Centro is slated to open on October 3, with a wine list curated by Perth’s only Master of Wine and Enoteca co-owner, Brendan Jansen. Jansen will be running masterclasses for you to deep dive into Italian and WA wines, while chef Michael Ingham will be behind a rotating selection of Euro-leaning, wine-friendly share plates.
“Our quality food and wine offering is designed to appeal to those looking for a quick lunch, an after work drink, or a relaxed meal accompanied by their favourite new wine,” co-owner Peter Kay said.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming people at Enoteca Centro, and playing our part in activating Wesley Lane and the surrounding Perth CBD precinct.”
Portside Pantry opens in Elizabeth Quay
Located beneath the Quay’s DoubleTree and open Thursday-Sunday, Portside Pantry is bringing a nourishing take on grab-and-go to the CBD, with an overflowing selection of produce transformed into fresh favourites like poke bowls, salads and wraps – not to mention plenty of vegan and gluten-free options for any sweet tooths. On the drinks side, coffees are accompanied by a selection of cold pressed juices, kombucha and wellness shots.
Copia comes to the CBD
After opening softly-softly earlier in the year for morning brews, Copia has opened just in time for after work tipples! Located on the Terrace (of course) in the schmick OneNinety building, expect to enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of international wine, and some bottle-friendly snacks to nibble on (think oysters, charcuterie, gildas). During the day, you can still enjoy coffee (including self-serve tap and go batch brew for when you’re in a rush) alongside comfortingly familiar classics like a coronation chicken and lettuce bap or a cheeky slice of Basque cheesecake in the courtyard.
The Cott goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Beachside local the Cott is about to kick off a month of fundraising for Breast Cancer Care WA! Head down for a bevvy throughout October and leave a bra on the community-built Wall of Support: the venue will donate $5 towards Breast Cancer Care WA for each bra left throughout the month. Plus, not only will their signature Sunday sesh be going pink for the month, they’ll they’ll be hosting Breast Friends boozy long lunches every Friday and Saturday with 15% of proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care WA. Find out more here!
Cambridge Corner Store has a Michelin makeover
Well-loved western suburbs spot the Cambridge Corner Store changed hands back in March, with Michelin-starred husband and wife chef-duo Sean Marshall and Kristina Jensen taking the reins. Since then, they’ve been tweaking things to make them their own while maintaining all the things that make the Corner Store so beloved (read: the rendang beef pie, blessedly, remains!), with plans to eventually expand operations and open in the evenings.
Hailing from New Zealand and Copenhagen respectively, you’ll also see a Scandi lilt to some of the new menu’s offerings – including a very Scandi plate of smoked salmon, dark rye bread, cheese and pickles.
Meet Lola’s Pizza, the little sister to cult Freo sandwich spot Peggy’s
Officially open as of last week! The crew behind sandwich mecca Peggy’s have opened a pizzeria just a few doors down – read our full write up here!
Rainfall’s custom gin arrives at Rockpool
Imbued with the smokiness of wood-fired karri bark, Rainfall Distillery’s custom Rockpool gin has arrived at the restaurant, channeling the signature flavours of their wood-fire grilled steaks.
Utilising hyper-local botanicals, the gin has been made with heirloom oranges picked from a 100-year old tree on the distillery’s lush Ampersand Estate surrounds, yuzu lemon skin from Waterfield Farms in the Southern Forests and even potatoes grown by farmers in Pemberton and Manjimup.
“I was astonished to find how well the subtle, smokiness of the gin tasted alongside our wood-fire grilled steaks,” explained Rockpool Perth Head Chef Brendan Owens.
“Particularly the David Blackmore Wagyu eye chuck, which can take longer to cook and becomes very caramelised; the smoke in the gin works well with the wood fire notes. It is a pairing I will certainly be encouraging guests to try, whether they are gin lovers or simply open to unique beverage recommendations beyond our wine list.”
To celebrate the launch, Rockpool will be hosting a Rainfall Gin Vertical Tasting on October 7, with cocktails and canapés – get your tickets here!
Bar Banter bounds its way into Subi this September
We’re waiting with bated breath for the arrival of Bar Banter, La Condesa’s backyard bar – read more about it here!
Runyeh Coffee brings far out fun to the northern suburbs
Long-time hospo hero Josh McGinnity (Micrology Coffee Roasters, Laika, Hylin to name just a few of his previous projects) has head north! Opening this week, his latest venture is Runyeh Coffee – a light, bright and pared-back space bringing excellent brews and brunch to Heathridge. Micrology beans (of course) take care of the former, while lunch offerings include stellar made-to-order sandwiches: a Runyeh twist on a Reuben, a chicken schnitty, a truffle mushroom melt on buttery slices of milk loaf.
A slice of Lima comes to Leederville
Leederville is going from strength to strength lately, and Lima Cantina is adding to the now practically countless dining options along Oxford Street. In typical fashion, Lima Cantina’s focus is on ceviche (including a vegan option, made with tofu) plus a selection of street food favourites: think empanadas, chicharron, skewers of beef anticucho, fried chicken or cassava chips – alongside plenty of Pisco Sours, no doubt.
Northwood Festival is back for 2023
This week’s food news is all about Leederville! West Leederville’s Northwood Festival is back for another year of foodie fun, with an epic street party involving local spots Besk, Myrtle Ivy and Mary Street Bakery alongside pop up kitchens from Monsterella, Peoples Cafeteria, Archie’s Hot Chicken and Kuld Creamery, not to mention an absolutely stacked lineup of wine, beer and spirit vendors (check it out below). Want a feel-good read? Take a look at our feature on West Leederville’s Town Team The Flower District here!
An urban winery is opening in the heart of Freo, taking over the former Mother site
WA’s first urban winery is set to open in Fremantle by the end of the year, with wine production scheduled to begin in 2024. H&C Urban Winery is the brainchild of local hospitality operators Phil Thompson and Ross Macpherson (The Local Hotel, South Fremantle, and formerly The River and Margaret River Resort), alongside ex-AFL players and wine entrepreneurs Will Schofield, Chris Masten and Scott Spalding. Read more about it here!
Baozi King comes to Northbridge
Up the leafy end of William Street, royalty has arrived! Baozi King has just opened on William Street, in an itty-bitty butter-yellow shopfront. Swing past for fluffy bao filled with juicy pork, chive cakes, soy sauce with fried dough sticks and more Fujian street food specialities.
Cheers to Damaged Goods Distilling Co
Haven’t got enough spirits in you yet? Founded by two ex-hospo alums, “close-to-zero-waste distillery” Damaged Goods Distilling Co. has just launched, creating unique spirits from food waste. Think apple pulp from a neighbouring cidery turned into a “Smashed Apple” aperitif, rescued “ugly” bananas turned into vodka or a zesty gin made from waste citrus. Cheers to that!
Print Hall’s Apple Daily has officially reopened!
It’s all systems go at Print Hall, with not just a brand new spritz offering at STAMPA! but the much-anticipated revival of the well-loved Apple Daily with OG chef Sunny De Ocampo back at the helm. Read more about it here!
Il Falco Pizza flies into Mount Hawthorn
Pizza-lovers may consider a move into Mount Hawthorn – the options for primo pies have expanded even more with the addition of BYO pizzeria Il Falco. Located at 214 Scarborough Beach Road, expect to find Neapolitan crusts as light as air, and toppings that will please both minimalist traditionalists and mid-week family meals.
An epic dining experience is popping up in a Collie quarry
While we normally associate Wellington National Park with awesome walk trails and views of the massive Wellington Dam mural, this new fine dining experience looks pretty darn special – read more about it here!
Otherside Brewing Co to acquire West Leederville’s Nowhereman
Nowhereman Brewing Co. is set to undergo a rebrand as it transforms into an Otherside Brewing Co. venue! The West Leederville brewery is in the process of being acquired by Otherside’s parent company Triple-1-Three, which will see the brewing of Nowhereman’s beers moving to Otherside’s production facility in Myaree, as well as the integration of Nowhereman staff into new roles.
“While we bring our brands together you’ll still be able to enjoy our award-winning beers at the West Leedy brewpub and everywhere you have been finding them,” the brewery said in a statement posted to their social media channels.
“We are so excited to unite with friends who share our love of doing good things and making great beer and we look forward to bringing a little Nowhereman to the Otherside fam!”
The epic Fine Vines program has dropped
Speaking of Margaret River! The program for Fine Vines Festival has been officially released this week, with an absolutely stacked 10-day lineup. The calendar showcases over 80 of the best of the region’s already world-class wineries, collaborations with acclaimed chefs and events in some particularly picturesque locations – including whale watching! Check out the full events calendar here.
Picabar to take the reins at Ruinbar
Brothers Brian and Conor Buckley – the family behind two of Perth’s most reliable, approachable drinking holes, Picabar and Percy Flint’s – are set to take over Northbridge’s Ruinbar and adjoining Pretty Good Pizza.
The bar was initially opened by Miles Hull’s Dark Horse Hospitality Group back in January of 2022, with the pizzeria following in August – since then, the group has also opened Subi Continental, Southcamp Dunsborough’s Brewhouse and is working on the upcoming The Lodge Wadjemup. (A pretty chockas schedule, if you ask us.)
“We’re all about Northbridge so this just made sense,” Brian told us. “It’s a great opportunity to create a welcoming corner pub in one of the great old buildings on Beaufort Street.”
“Great beer gardens are so rare in the inner city and just make pubs better, so we plan to extend the beer garden and add a stack of plant life to create a relaxing, inner-city oasis.”
“Food is a major part of what we do. We’re putting in a kitchen and will have a full menu that our chef, (King) George Maxwell, is already working on. It’ll include pub classics together with share plates, seasonal dishes and a few surprises.“
Gordon Street Garage to transform into a huge brewpub by the end of the year
Hot off the presses: international craft brewing behemoth BrewDog is coming to West Perth, scheduled to open a huge brewpub by the end of the year. Read more about it here!
Perth gains its first Lanzhou beef noodle bar
Qin’s Lanzhou Beef Noodle have opened their doors in Vic Park, bringing the north-central Chinese specialty to Perth. The noodle soup is known for its clear beef broth, with Qin’s expertly hand-pulling noodles to order – at your desired thickness and width – for each bowl!
Tiny’s new bottomless Saturday offering is sssssmokin’!
(We hope you also read that with the intonation of Jim Carrey’s Mask…)
You can’t really keep us away from Tiny’s, and the addition of their new Bottomless Sundays into the mix has not helped! Earlier in the year, Salsa Saturdays turned up the heat, but now they’re taking a low and slow turn with Smokin’ American BBQ each week. As well as all your BBQ faves (think sticky maple pork, Bourbon-glazed beef, mac and cheese, jalapeño poppers), you’ll also be treated to bottomless beer, wine and cocktails and DJ Charlie Bucket spinning honky tonk beats.
Eat your way through Italy at Il Lido
Channel Euro summer vibes with some beachside Italian dining! For 20 consecutive weeks, Il Lido’s Head Chef Alessandro Caramanico will take you through the regions of Italy, offering four local dishes from each region for $75. Running Tuesday through Thursday for both lunch and dinner, the restaurant’s superstar somms can also level up your meal with an optional glass of wine from each region to match. Things kicked off with Trentino-Alto Adige, and this week the chefs are journeying over to Friuli Venezia Giulia – check out the menu and book here.
Goodbye Barchetta, hello Magic Apple
Following the announcement that Kailis Hospitality Group (The Shorehouse, Island Market Trigg among others) had won the tender for the sought-after Barchetta site on Marine Parade, George Kailis has revealed his plans for the beachfront Cottesloe location – and he’ll be bringing back long-lost wholefood brand Magic Apple. Originating in the ’70s, the cafés were known for their mantra of “mindful nourishment” – and its latest iteration will follow in the OG’s footsteps, championing nutritious whole foods.
Meet Gibney: a bougie brasserie at the beach
The announcements from camp Kailis are coming thick and fast! Following the unveiling of the whole food Magic Apple concept for the sought-after Barchetta site, Kailis Hospitality Group have announced a new luxe dining project set to hit South Cottesloe early 2024. Purported to be the first hospitality offering in South Cott since the Dutch Inn tearoom in the ’40s, Gibney will be bringing bougie brasserie fare to the beach: “luxurious Californian country club meets Parisian hotel lobby”, with plenty of nostalgia and table side drama, plus a stunning fit out by local design firm Rezen (La Lune, Vin Populi, Moana Hall).
Cover image credit: Copia
Got some food news we need to know about? We’d love to hear about it – drop us a line at food@perthisok.com!