Canvas, 6160

Canvas is housed inside the beautiful and historic Fremantle Art Centre. Its a truly tranquil spot to bring a group of friends, some BYO bubbles and have a long table birthday brunch...with a Middle Eastern bent.

 The stars of the menu are the Shak-shukas. You probably know the traditional form - eggs poached in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, served in a small skillet. Well Canvas have taken this traditional berbers breakfast and made it their signature, offering versions that include fancy things like barrumundi, prawns and pork chipolatas...even lamb brains.

Sea shak-shuka with whiting

I tried the "Sea" version with my pick of whiting. The plentiful dish came with buttered spinach and herbs, labneh, harissa and a side of Moorish (extremely satisfying) bread, olives and herbed butter. The serving was enough for two, but too delicious to be shared :D.

Soup of the day - bean, ham hock

It's still a bit of a Freo kept secret but its in an easy running for one of the best brunches in Perth in my books. 

Ups: inspired breakfast menu, generous serves, house made bread and luxurious herbed butter, peaceful setting

Downs: Coffee was just ok, courtyard cold in Winter. 

Subsequent visit worthy? Yep

RAAH, 6003

There's a bit of a shortage of Middle Eastern restaurants in Perth and so I find RAAH worthy of its spot on our well-loved and ever lively Beaufort St.  The restaurant is very ambient inside, draped with Moorish trinkets and carved wooden furnishings. Veiled (literally, veiled) from the bustle of Beaufort St, you feel very secluded from the happenings outside which I though was a bit odd. I would say the best part of this location is the buzz of Beaufort St., no? Forgetting this, the dimmed red lighting and covered windows make for a different kind of exotic ambience which is still as appealing. Tip: If you book ahead - ask for a cosy and comfortable booth.

For starters we ordered the Silky hummus with minted lamb, almonds and turkish bread $10. The hummus was definitely silky smooth - a pleasure to eat, but I would have like a bit more garlic.

Silk hummus, turkish bread $10

My favourite entree was suprisingly the Pastirma and goats cheese gozleme, although they were nothing like the gozleme I know. I'd describe these better as a samosas. The Patrami - which Wikipedia has just told me is "highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef"; was salty, rich and delicious.

Pastirma, goats cheese gozleme $12

The preserved lemon, chilli and coriander prawns were my least favourite. I couldn't really taste any of the seasoning nor could I appreciate the would-be-tender prawn. I think these were overcooked - a little bit tough and quite a strong charred taste.

Preserved lemon, chilli and coriander prawns $14 for 4

For mains we shared the Yoghurt Marinated Goat, $30 and the Sweet potato, lentil and sweet raisin tagine $26. The Goat was the consensus as the dish of the night. Between four of us three entrees and two mains was just enough, give or take a side of pilaf.

Yoghurt marinated Goat $30

Sweet potato, lentil tagine $26

RAAH was an enjoyable meal and the service was one of the better experiences I've had lately. The total bill was $96 for four of us - not bad.  I think there's still room for amazement though. There were no Oh-My-God moments.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Ambience: 4/5

Meeka Restaurant, 6008

Meeka engage the heady flavours of the Middle East - the aromatic spices, the slow marinades, the exotic mix of meat with fruits - and enhance them with the wealth of contemporary cookery.

The décor is simple and subtly upmarket but relaxed at the same time. The only traces of Moroccan in the interior decoration are a few striking tajines dotted around the room.  

The menu is divided into enticing entrees, mains, tajines, sides and desserts each with influence from Morocco to Syria to Turkey.

Cheese Boreks $11

After much deliberation, three of us ordered the ‘Twice Cooked Duck Leg, Roasted Carrot and Almond Puree, Sautéed Silverbeet, Asparagus, Dukkah Crusted Gnocchi, Sour Cherry Glaze’ and our fourth diner had the Duck Shank, Baharat, Pumpkin, Orange, White Beans, Sugar Snaps ($33). For entrees we had Cheese Boreks with Saffron Eggplant dip ($11), Dates Stuffed with Goats Feta, Walnuts, Prosciutto, Lemon, Thyme, Wrapped in Kataifi ($15) and Dates Stuffed with Almonds, Preserved Lemon, Three Cheeses, Lightly Fried in Chickpea Batter ($15).            

Dates in chickpea batter $15

Dates in Kataifi $15

My Duck Leg main was sumptuous – so many different components; the succulent duck meat just melted away in your mouth and the pureed carrot was garlicly and smooth. I loved the added element of the crusted gnocchi pieces - soft inside with a mildly crunchy coating.  

Twice cooked duck leg $33

The Duck Tajine was a bang of flavours; very heavily scented with sweet cinnamon and nutmeg; marrying the tremendously tender duck meat and honeyed pumpkin. Divine. 

Duck Shank Tajine

Even more luscious were the desserts. Again having wars over what to order, we reasoned to share three between us. Wrap your mind around these sensations; Turkish Delight Stuffed Donut Balls, Rose Spiced Chocolate, Cardamon Yoghurt Parfait, Persian Fairy Floss; Fig Soft Cheese Cigar, Pistachio Dust, Salted Caramel Parfait, Turkish Coffee Syrup and; Meringue, Caramelised Wild Baby Figs, Almond White Chocolate Mousse, Orange Blossom Curd (All $14). Two between the four of us would have been plenty but they were just too good to stop eating.

Turkish delight filled donuts $14

Soft cheese cigar $14

The donuts seem to be somewhat of a signature dish and are definitely worth a try. The sweetened cheese filling in the cigar was deeee-licious too.  

I cannot stress enough how scrumptious all the desserts were. The exotic homemade ice creams and Persian Fairy floss served with each dessert were amazing enough on their own. You absolutely MUST save/make room for dessert. You wont regret it. Promise.

My only carp was the forgetful service. The waitress was a bit vague and didn’t really know the menu that well. The food went a long way in making up for it though.

The dessert was such a high note to end on and we all agreed that Meeka was the best meal we had had in some time. It really is a journey for all your senses. I’m only sad I didn’t try it earlier!

Food: 4.5/5

Ambience: 3.5/5

Service: 2/5

Meeka Restaurant

361 Rokeby Rd 
Subiaco, WA 6008

Dinner: Tues-Sat

08 9381 1800

Lunch: Friday