Gaya, Roving

Have you witnessed the Mad Hatters Markets in Freo? They pop up at King’s Square, Wednesday – Sunday. Not quite as extensive as neighbouring markets, there are a few snack lunch options including an organic hot donut truck, Thai street snacks and Pho, among folk selling fresh produce.

I love any meal where you get to mix and play, and so my top pick from Mad Hatters, is Gaya – dishing out the Bibimbap, a Korean meal staple with a modern twist. Gaya is run by a guy whose passion for the Bibimbap is evident in his thoughtful assembly of this multi-faceted bowl of goodness. Every ingredient, as Gaya guy will explain, has a nutritional benefit. A wonderfully varietal and colourful lunch! 

Each day Mr. Gaya will vary the toppings slightly. My Bibimbap was a kaleidoscope of mixed fresh and home-pickled veggies - purple cabbage, lightly tendered zucchini, fresh broad beans, crunchy walnuts, bee pollen, bean shoots, pickled radish, wilted spinach, sesame seeds, cooked carrots and a squirt of Korean hot sauce, all atop wholesome brown rice.

Nothing originates from a jar at Gaya, all components are made lovingly from scratch at the Gaya's home. Even his Miso is the real deal.

Catch Gaya now at the City Twilight Hawkers Markets, every Friday from 5 through Summer.

Sweet Java, 6050

So long as you can accept that service from the front of house is going to be a little lax, then I think you can really fall in love with Sweet Java. Customers are divided over the owners "rude" demeanour and "laid-back service", but if you take it with a grain of salt, and are feeling relaxed, you'll find amusement in his eccentric personality and even relish in the mellow mood.

  

  

The cooking here, by the truly lovely lady chef who's smile could light up Times Square on New Years Eve, is divine. Honest Indonesian cuisine, in generous servings, presented simply. Gratifying comfort food when you want it to be. Many of the delicious dishes can be tailored to vegetarians too.

The Nasi Goreng Special, $16 is a Sweet Java staple. It comes with two achingly tender chicken skewers smothered in house satay - order it and tell me its not the best you've ever had outside of Bali. 

Nasi Goreng, $16

The Gado Gado, $14- chunky tofu, steamed potato, hard boiled egg and lettuce, dressed in a sweet and salty peanut sauce, is a killer dish for vegetarians. Even if you aren't, actually. 

Gado Gado, $14

The Rendang Sapi, $17 (Beef Rendang curry) is bundled with flavour - fragrant kaffir lime and lemongrass, sweet coconut milk, met with salty melt-off-your-fork beef.  A hard number not to stuff away in your gob!

Steaming Rendang Sapi, $17

The Sweet Java establishment is a raffish hardly-coverted-old home, with adoringly kitsch quasi-Indo decoration. Dusky lighting and the oasis location on a residential street, make it a casual, yet romantic place to dine. Alternatively, this is the perfect equation for boozey dinners among well known and neighbours. I speak from personal experience. On that note, Sweet Java have a very liberal BYO policy (bring a carton of beer if you like) and even a self-serve bar fridge to keep your grog cool :D

     This humble spot is a sanctuary for lovingly made food and peaceful nights. Sweet Java has "hidden gem" written all over it.   

Food: 4.5/5 (Delightful!)

Service: 3/5 (Leisurely, but no complaints if you're not in a rush, 'cos these guys aren't either)

Ambience: 4/5 (Casual, quaint and lovingly mis-matched)

Value: 4.5/5 (Decent servings and quality cooking for the price plus FREE corkage)

Is Donburi, 6003

Is Donburi is another notch OnWilliam’s belt, worth bragging about. They’ve only been around a little while but Is Donburi has already norm’ed its way into savvy Northbridge dweller lunch schedules. And why wouldn’t you make this a regular with what’s on offer? A clean well-lit dining space, take-away meals at the window, speedy service, complimentary Japanese tea and Miso, and delicious Japanese meals. 

The menu - what a selection! All the usual suspects are going, with special attention to Donburi, which takes the form of Teriyakis, katsu, kimchi, don with egg, seafood Chirashis and more. 

Teriyaki Salmon Don, $15.80

We tucked into the Teryaki Salmon Don (above), $15.80 - a substantial serve of glazed pink salmon with a variety of salady bits atop steamed rice. And also the Seafood Chirashi Don, $15.50 – a mix of fresh salmon, king fish, tuna prawn, squid, an exciting tapestry of mixed veggies and a zingy fruit based dressing. The raw fish was A-grade and Donburi overall was very fresh.

Seafood Chirashi Don $15.50

Of course, no Japanese eatery is complete without at least one novelty. Get a load of their Spring roll sushi rolls :D - 

Food: 4/5 (fresh, varietal, lengthy menu)
Value: 4/5 (too pricey and modern for the ‘cheap and cheerful’ category but for the freshness and size, very good bang for your buck)
Service: 4/5 (open 7 days, fast, plus free tea and miso soup)
Ambience: 4/5 (clean open space with access to decent William St. people watching) 

Perth's Mexican - the ones worth knowing

They all serve a different purpose. In order of deliciousness...

1. el PÚBLICO for when I want a buzz (tequila optional), and brilliant food - tasty, imaginative and authentic Mexican flavours with a contemporary flair. Order the ‘Esquites’. Please. The humble street corn is not to be underestimated! el PÚBLICO are my numero uno in this league, by a mile. 

Clockwise top Left: Chicken Tamales,  back room dining, cheese and onion taco, the bar, 'esquites'  dish

2. The Flying Taco is for when I want a cheesey, gratifying burrito. The prices are a bit on the tall side, but one of their crispy slow cooked pork and pineapple burritos never fails to satisfy my comfort food yearning. 

One 'Carnitas' burrito ready to be devoured 

3. Casa Mexicana - El Compa. Fuss-free menu, casual festive decor and bang on margaritas – this newcomer is an ideal starting point for a casual fun night with friends…Unfortunately there is not great bump for your buck. Tacos go for $7 a pop. Note that they roll their soft tortillas in-house however, and you can taste the difference.

Margaritas and fish tacos at Casa Mexicana- El Compa

4. La Cholita is when you want Tequila cocktails, a good time vibe, and some Mexican shares to go with. I would never seek out La Cholita to indulge my Mexican craving alone. Not substantial enough and secondly, I’m not going to wait the standard 2 hours to get my taco fix.

Dim lights and night time tequila induced revelry

Milk and Paper, 6019

Milk and Paper is sweet new coffee pit-stop on Scarborough Beach Rd. Grab a cup, sweep over the day’s headlines and maybe get a small treat go with. The lovely owner is gradually adding personal touches around the small space, and introducing locally sourced baked goods. The ladies here are brewing with Sydney roast, Two Seasons. I’m a Fiori girl through and through but Two Seasons might be your cup of…coffee! I always admire a business who branch out too. Coming soon: light brunch, Wii-fi and text ahead coffee orders - win!

My favourite thing about Milk and Paper are their distinctive take-away coffee cups. If you’re a sucker for a novelty, a stop at Milk and Paper will be worth your while.

Prospects: Unique roast, coffee cup art love, polite service, being able to read the New Yorker while I wait
Drawbacks: Not enough seating, coffee could be stronger

Chinta, 6018

The creators of the Balinese sanctuary that is Chinta, have shaped a perfect tangle of gift shop and cafe. Sitting in the beautiful courtyard surrounded by potted bamboo, stone carved Buddhas, hanging lanterns and trickling water, whilst sipping chai from delicate teacups, has got to be good for your soul.

The kitchen delivers on creamy coffee and excellent café cabinet fare. We had the beef quesadilla served with a delish lime and mint yoghurt dressing, as well as the roast veggie stack, $14. Layered baked carrot, pumpkin, zucchini, sweet potato and what I think was vine leaf, made the perfect healthy lunch. The chai tea brewed with soy- was the best I’d drank since Leaf Tea Merchants closed down, too. 

Top: beef quesadilla, Bottom: Roast veg stack $14

So tastefully decorated, the island home wares and tropical merchandise, seep effortlessly into the ambience. So much so, that it’s hard to pick what’s for sale and what is a permanent fixture. At loss of a less clichéd metaphor - Chinta is quite accurately, an oasis among the Scarborough Beach Rd drought.

Food: 4/5 (Healthy, light and flavourful lunches with side salads worth eating)

Drink: Chai Tea and juice -  4/5 (Best chai in a while! Not too sweet, tastes natural. Order with soy)
Ambience: 5/5 (Merchandise that actually adds to the atmosphere without being overbearing. That courtyard!)
Service: 4/5 (Efficient and gracious)

Value: 4/5 (Standard suburban cafe prices)

Raw Food Café at Fern Community Centre - 6160

Happy World Vegan Day! 

This a new raw food and vegan café that has sprouted inside the jungle that is the Fern Community Centre in Freo. You’ll walk through a curious overgrown garden, strewn with odd bits and bobs, including a Tweety Bird cut out and an unexplained collection of bicycles – adult bikes, toddler tricycles and most of them missing parts. It makes for an amusing excursion. 

Pick from a list of raw and vegan meals that use nut ‘cheeses’ and dehydrated nut and seeds, in place of wheat bases, like bread and pastries.

Daily menu

Feeling in the mood for a bit of chili, we went for the ‘Mexican wrap’ and ‘enchilada’, each $12. The dishes were made as we ordered, in the makeshift sort of kitchen. The capsicum nut cheese in my wrap was scrumptious but the salad could have been fresher. The meals were a bit thrown together, but in a simple homemade sort of way.

Raw Enchilada $12

Raw mexican wrap $12

If I'm honest, the food is not on par with The Raw Kitchen, but definitely good for you and not to mention, more wallet friendly. 

Fern Café, in a nutshell - come for the healthful food and linger in the wilderness.

Yays: Reasonable price, the relaxing and curious surroundings, friendly people
Nays: Avocado was less than fresh

Raw Food Cafe at Fern Community Centre

Corner of High Street & Montreal Street, Fremantle

Tues- Sun for lunch

0418 742 917