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)

X-Wray, 6160

A few weeks ago I headed to X-Wray for a Yelp Elite event where we were invited to sample the wonderful new Winter menu. X-Wray has a new head chef - Ricky and this man knows good taste-y. The food really goes above and beyond the simple bar food that went before it.

Bread, hummus

Gnocchi, tomato, basil, parmesan

Minted Mojitos and stemless Tempranillos were accompanied by little bowls of spiced roast pumpkin seeds. These were extremely more-ish. The first round of substantial eats were bread boards with garlicky tahini dip, e.v.o. and balsamic. The bread was a bit over-toasted but once smothered in that silky hummus, it didn't matter.

Pork belly

Next was a shot of mixed mushroom soup with truffle oil - soooo good.  Addictive tempura broccoli and green beans were next, followed by dishes of pork belly with almonds and a kind of quince paste. The hero of the night for me was Ricky's Nonna recipe gnocchi. The melt-in-your-mouth pillows of potato dumpling were little clouds of joy.

Beef cheek, cauliflower puree, crumbed carrot

The beef cheek dish was another showstopper. Shreds of dark braised meat resting on truffled cauliflower. As if that wasn't enough deliciousness to muster, there was the unimaginably tasty carrot croquette rested atop. My eyes boggled at the taste.

Food: 4.5/5 (that carrot, that gnocchi, those Mojitos!)

Ambience: 5/5 (bohemian, casual and warm. Good for a low-key date)

Service: 4/5 (hipsters with totally non-hispter attitudes) 

Value: 5/5 (my food was for FREE! Cannot report on the actual prices)

Duende, 6007

What a sexy place! I absolutely adore the atmosphere; you can’t help but be consumed in the Iberian, nighttime mood. I recall "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" by Neil Diamond playing when I arrived, which was so fitting.

Stylish, warm and intimate, Duende is great for romantic dinners among couples or leisurely catch-ups in the company of old friends. You and your posse can gather around one of the Moorish design tables or perch up on a high chair at the horseshoe marble bar. 



Duende serves superb Spanish tapas, which I’d liken to any pinxtos bar in San Sebastian.  I'd say it is the closest thing I've tried to the amazing MoVida in Melbourne.  



Mushrooms, px vinegar, blue cheese $14

 I caught up with a childhood friend at Duende a little while ago, and we thoroughly enjoyed the Spanish eats. The highlight dish for me was the Mushrooms; a mix of fleshy shrooms, vinegar, blue cheese and herbs; they were divine! I would gladly eat these for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snack times too!  

The sweet corn and Manchego croquettes are scrumptious; finely crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. We also ordered the prawn, potato aioli, chimmichurri dish which comprises two large WA prawns with a lovely spicy mayonnaise like sauce.   For dessert we umm-ed and ah-ed, before settling on the raspberry pannacotta with yoghurt sorbet. It was sweet and light; a perfect end to a fantastic meal. 



WA Prawns,  potato aioli, chimmichurri $12

Sweet corn & Manchego croquettes $12

All the tapas range from $2 for spicy popcorn to $28 for the beef fillet.   3 tapas plus a dessert was enough to satisfy my (*note: petite) friend and I.  

The quirky, mostly foreign staff are well versed on the kitchens offerings too. A request for a tapas or wine recommendation is met with a thoughtful suggestion. 



Raspberry pannacotta, yoghurt sorbet $12

Buzzing, sensual ambience, informed service and outstanding Mediterranean food; this place ticks all my boxes. I can't believe it took me so long to try.

Food: 4.5/5

Ambience: 5/5

Service: 4/5

Duende

662 Newcastle St 
Leederville, WA 6007

08 9228 0123