Amphoras Bar, 6005

Amphoras is a spot probably not well known to the greater population of Perth but certainly to those working in West Perth area. Because of the locale, Amphoras comes alive after 5. It’s a perfect spot for a bit of post work carousing, especially on a Friday. The ambience is just what you want after a day at work – pleasant staff, elegant furnishings, sexy lighting and an upbeat crowd. The size of the place is perfect too; intimate but not crowded. Serving a small number of patrons maintains the quality control in the kitchen too.

Chorizo, Pedro Xeminez, corn bread $16

The food – it’s not the holy grail of Spanish tapas but it’s definitely delicious. Between the two of us, we ordered a serve of roast pumpkin and fetta arancini ($16)- served in rich basil pesto, these were cheesey on the in and well crusted on the outside. A serve of Chorizo ($16) came out hot, chunky, glistening in syrupy Pedro Xeminez – a sweet, Spanish sherry. The taste of the sauce over the chorizo was delicious, although it did intrude a bit on the bold taste of spicy sausage. A squirt of lemon would have been enough. The chorizo came with a side of corn bread, which did not quite represent the corn bread I know and love. It was more of a white bread with remnants of corn. We could have used a couple more slices to mop up the juices. Still, the bread was fluffy and tasted home baked.

Dessert selection $14

Done with our chorizo, we ordered the dessert selection ($14) of four minis – chocolate tart, passionfruit and lime meringue, crème catalan and the cutest little baby churros in chocolate sauce! Each were lovely and not one was more carefully prepared than the other. The serving was small enough for one and just enough for two.

Food: 3.5/5 (scrumptious enough, but not at the Duende level, although I would definitely eat here again)

Ambience: 4/5 (classy but casual and fun at the same time)

Service: 3/5 (friendly but not the most efficient, although lingering over drinks doesn't call for fast service)

Value: 3/5 (Dessert well priced, arancini and chorizo not so much)