Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Rose and Crown


Sunday 1 November 2009

Rose & Crown
105 Swan St, Guildford
(08) 9347 8100


1. Comfort & Surroundings

Alexander: The signs on the way to the Rose & Crown set the tone: "This way to historic site." Think it's strange that there are signs pointing to a restaurant? Not in historic Guildford! Dating back to 1841, the Rose & Crown is truly a gorgeous building, all exposed brick and wood beams. The setting for breakfast was the equally lovely courtyard next to the main building. On another day, it would have been perfect to enjoy delicious food and beverages amongst the manicured gardens and shady trees, however the gusty winds on this particular morning made things slightly uncomfortable. In fact, at one point I had to chase my menu across the courtyard and under another group's table. Still, for the most part, I was too busy soaking in the history to get too concerned, so I'll give it a 3.5. Which just goes to show, never judge a venue by the suburb in which it's located! Unless it's Girrawheen.

Lola: What's wrong with Guildford? Guildford has lovely connotations! Great antique stores, a large book exchange, an aesthetically pleasing post office, one of the best burger joints in Perth. Apparently there's a museum of taxidermy there too, somewhere. The Rose and Crown is another of my favourite Guildford things. There are a few places to sit in the hotel but I had booked for outside in The Garden. It's a really nice and relaxed place to sit back for a morning (and I can say from much experience that spending an afternoon there is just as pleasant) and the overlapping umbrellas make it pleasant even on a sunny day. The wind was the only problem, but there wasn't anything that could be done about it, so I'm going a 4.5.

2. Service

Alexander:
I'm having trouble deciding how I feel about the service. It's not that the staff were unpleasant, but it sometimes felt as though their time management skills needed a bit of work. I stopped at the "Wait here to be seated" sign, and boy did I wait. Even as a number of the staff clearly noticed me. And we had water glasses on the table, but we didn't get water until we asked for it. That being said, it's nothing a couple of Oprah multi-tasking episodes wouldn't fix! Plus, I did enjoy the novelty of being asked in an eastern European accent, at WA's "most historic" pub, if I would like a coffee to "jump start" my morning. A 3 from me.

Lola:
Alexander has summed the service up really well. The staff were nice, but not exactly efficient, and it was a pretty quiet on the morning of our attendance. I'm adding an extra half a mark for the fact of table service. 3.5.

3. Tastiness

Alexander: Maybe I was really hungry on this occasion, but the Rose & Crown delivered exactly what I was after. I went with the spring onion potato cake served with an organic egg and roast tomatoes. And I added bacon... because what dish isn't better with bacon? Not listed on the menu, I also discovered that the meal was served with toast. So it was a hearty breakfast, with some nice flavour combinations. The spring onion potato cake was the standout - hot and fluffy with just enough flavour - and acted as the perfect conduit between the other ingredients on the plate. My only issue was the fact that the gale force winds turned my food cold before I had finished eating it, but I guess I can't blame the Rose & Crown for the weather. A 4 from me.

Lola:
I had absolute food envy as Alexander's potato cake was, indeed, delicious! That's not to say mine was sub-par though. I chose the 1841 Bali Breakfast (I'm not sure what the 1841 is for except that the hotel has been around since then): sweet, sticky fried rice topped with a fried egg. It was very tasty, but with the sweet capsicum combined with the strong sauce, it was a little too sweet for my taste. Having said that, I'd still recommend the dish, for sure. I'll give a 3.5 in this department.

4. Drinks


Alexander: The quality of the coffee is an important aspect of any breakfast venue, so I went with my standard - a cappuccino - to properly compare the Rose & Crown to other venues. Not bad, but I wouldn't drive all that way solely for the coffee. It's hard to give a great mark on this one, but that's not to say that a different drink choice wouldn't have scored higher. I'll go with 2.5.

Lola: I began with a hot chocolate and while the flavour, strength and temperature were all pretty good, here's the thing: I am really turned off when drinks become hard work. The chocolate syrup and milk were not remotely mixed, it had clearly not even been tried. Maybe it's an attempt to make it look pretty? If that's the case, it failed a little, as a base of syrup topped with warm milk is not my idea of a pretty picture. After carefully stirring it together, trying hard not to make a mess, I did enjoy the drink, but the work certainly made it less enjoyable. I did, however, also enjoy a Bloody Mary which was one of the better ones I'd sampled. Alexander pointed out that he'd be disappointed by the lack of celery, but for me, absent celery is a bonus! Overall, a 3.5 again from me.

5. Fiscal Matters


Alexander: Maybe it's the fact that the Rose & Crown doesn't have to pay exorbitant inner-city rent, but the prices here are very reasonable. I was discussing with a friend the other day how breakfast add-ons (bacon, mushrooms, tomato etc) seem to cost $4 at most places in Perth. Which, when you think about it, seems crazy. Anyway, you don't have to worry about that at the Rose & Crown - my additional bacon came in at a modest $3. So my whole meal was only $12.90 for a substantial plate of food - you'd be lucky to find that in Mt Lawley! Nice, a 4.

Lola:
Agreed! My generous dish also came in at $12.50. I'm usually never one to leave good food on my plate, but I really couldn't get through my whole dish this time, so that's not bad value at all! I also think it's deserved of a 4.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 8/10
Service: 6.5/10
Tastiness: 7.5/10
Drinks: 6/10
Fiscal Matters: 8/10
TOTAL: 36/50


1841 at Rose & Crown on Urbanspoon

Monday, September 21, 2009

That Little Mexican Place

Sunday 20 September 2009

That Little Mexican Place
382 Fitzgerald St
North Perth
(08) 9227 5755


1. Comfort & Surroundings

Lola: That Little Mexican Place is sandwiched into one of the premises on Fitzgerald Street in North Perth, just around the corner from one of our favourite spots, The Flying Taco (also Mexican but they don't do breakfasts, I'm afraid). TLMP pack a lot of tables into a small space, but only a handful of them were seated at by patrons last Sunday morning. Said tables are small, however, and we had to use the empty one next to us to store the condiments and water jug. At least we felt comfortable enough doing so, I suppose! You do get a pretty relaxed vibe from the place, aided by the long wooden bench along one side of the room piled with cushions (I made myself comfortable, accordingly) and the large chessboard sitting on one of the tables. It wasn't bad, except for the ten minutes of whistling by the chef that I endured before Alexander arrived. Points off for
his shrill, erratic and seemingly incessant tune, bringing it down to a 2.

Alexander: So you might not actually feel like you're south of the border when you step into That Little Mexican Place, but the nods to Mexican culture amidst the comfortable chairs are nice without feeling cheesy. Which is a good thing, because there is plenty of cheese on the menu! But more on that later... I agree wholeheartedly with Lola that the tables were a bit on the small side, which isn't so bad on a leisurely Sunday, but good luck getting comfortable if all the tables around you are taken! Annoyingly, a table and chair is situated right in the doorway too, making getting in and out a little inconvenient. Overall, though, it's hard to make too big a fuss, so I am going with 2.5.

2. Service


Lola:
I'm really torn here. Once I arrived the waitress was immediately affable and welcoming, and her genial nature continued throughout our morning. She was not so attentive to our needs, however. Shortly after she seated me a couple walked in who were immediately brought menus. They were then able to order drinks and have them delivered before I was even offered a menu. It was certainly nice to have table service, though, even if it did come with a delay. So a 3 from me.

Alexander: We discovered that we were in for more than just a meal at That Little Mexican Place when our friendly waitress hung around our table for 5 minutes swapping stories. Not that it was a bad thing - we had finished our meals and it didn't feel like we were being interrupted - but those looking for a secluded discussion or intimate tete-a-tete may want to avoid making eye contact with staff members. A big extra thumbs up for table service at breakfast - how nice not to have to order at a counter for once! Service gets a 3 from me.

3. Tastiness

Lola:
Okay I really dig this menu! The offerings of steak and cactus for breakfast really excite me, though today I chose the quesadilla desayuno. Inside a toasted tortilla I was treated with fried eggs, bacon and cheddar, which was served on a hash brown and some refried beans. It was very tasty and I'm craving another right now. I would have loved to see a vegetarian quesadilla option but I did enjoy my salty, meaty toastie. I'm giving a good 4.

Alexander: If you are looking for a breakfast that's a bit different from your usual eggs, toast and orange juice, this is the place to come! I absolutely love the variety of menu items, so much so that I was prevaricating about my choice until the very last moment! I ended up picking the huevos ahogados - that's drowned eggs to those who don't speak Spanish - and it was delicious. Two poached eggs cooked in salsa with hash browns (not your McDonalds variety), refried beans and corn tortillas. Mmmm. Based on a previous visit, I can also recommend the burrito desayuno - so good! Just writing this makes me want to head there again this weekend to try out something new. A 4.5 from me.

4. Drinks

Lola:
When I was finally able to order my first drink I was tempted by the promise of an espresso flavoured with chocolate and cinnamon, with a dash of milk: the cortodito. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be this way, or if I was required to stir it as I drunk, but what I received was a shot of coffee with some lumps of chocolate and sugar granules at the bottom. The flavours were good, but poorly executed. Fortunately the Mexican hot chocolate I sampled later was an improvement. Though it was unlike other Mexican hot chocolates I have had, and not what I was expecting, I enjoyed its malty flavour, bringing my rating up to a 2.5.

Alexander: The drinks menu is up there with the food menu in terms of variety and novelty. I chose the mocha de Mexico - a Mexican hot chocolate with a shot of coffee - and it was totally delicious. However, I can't help but feel that I should have tried something a bit more interesting, especially with the atoles and agua frescas on offer. Hmm, maybe next time. Drinks get 3.5 from me.

5. Fiscal Matters


Lola:
There's a range of prices at That Little Mexican Place, from a $6 ham and cheese toasted quesadilla and $9 muesli to the $35 huevos divorciandos. My quesadilla was $18 and though my plate was quite large, I think overall their charging was a little steep. I'm also not too pleased with the drink prices, either. Below average I think, a 2.5.

Alexander: The average breakfast price at That Little Mexican Place is perhaps a bit higher than at other breakfast places, but the serves are massive and the quality and the freshness of the ingredients mean that it's hard to feel ripped-off. Come here for a special breakfast and you won't leave disappointed. A 3 from me.

The verdict...

Comfort & surroundings: 4.5/10
Service: 6/10
Tastiness: 9.5/10
Drinks: 6/10
Fiscal Matters: 5.5/10
TOTAL: 31.5/50


That Little Mexican Place on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lincolns


Sunday 2 August 2009

Lincolns
102 Lincoln St, Highgate
(08) 9228 1759


1. Comfort & Surroundings

Alexander: Lincolns is set out like your funky, eclectic aunt's house: the plates are random and the furniture doesn't match, but every visit yields a new, often delightful, discovery. It may not be as as sleek as some of Perth's other breakfast hotspots but therein lies its charm - don't expect rigidity or staid surroundings when you visit Lincolns. Given the multifarious nature of the venue's furnishings, comfort is a somewhat hit and miss affair. On one visit you might get the comfy bench seat with the cushions; on the next you might be forced to sit on the cramped little stools and coffee tables. And with only a few tables inside, rainy days at Lincolns offer up a bit of a challenge. As it were, Lola secured us a pleasant, outdoors, easterly-facing table on this lovely sunny morning, so there was no cause for discomfort. It gets a 3.5 from me.

Lola: Just a short stroll away from the bustling Beaufort Street, Lincolns is found, as the name suggests, on Lincoln Street, amidst the old houses of the area, creating a homely environment for its patrons. There are plenty of tables inside and outside, although it's slightly cramped indoors, but perhaps that adds to its domestic vibe. I like it. Relaxing there on a Sunday morning makes me want to move in next door and have it become part of my morning routine. Hey, there's a place for sale across the road... I'll give it 4 marks.

2. Service

Alexander:
The staff at Lincolns blend in perfectly with the patchwork-like decor. A bit cool, a bit scruffy, but good at what they do, they're exactly what you'd expect from the urbanite-meets-hipster enclave that is Highgate. You go to the counter, you get a friendly smile and you make a little small talk. You make your order, you walk back to your table and soon your food arrives. No muss, no fuss. A big 4.

Lola:
I had very minimal contact with the staff but they certainly seemed friendly enough. If anything, it took a while for our dirty dishes to be removed, but that's always better than the premature cleaning of the table. Pretty good! A 3.5.

3. Tastiness

Alexander: As soon as you approach the counter at Lincolns your eyes are in for a treat as they wander longingly over the delectable looking treats on display. And your tastebuds won't miss out either: the food here is pretty tasty. On this particular occasion, I ordered a baked bean toastie. Not very exciting, I hear you say? Well these are homemade beans, topped off with cheese, and all warmed to perfection in toasted fresh white bread. Plus, in what I think is a nice touch, it comes with a side of rocket (which I proceeded to stuff into my toastie as a fresh, slightly bitter distraction from the other heavy flavours). Nice one, Lincolns. It scores a 3.

Lola:
After almost being tempted by the orange donuts on the counter (advertised as coming with chocolate sauce, mmm) I decided on the porridge with stewed fruit. I have a friend who doesn't believe in ordering porridge when she's out, because she 'can have it at home'. And yes, porridge is one of those homely foods that I grew up eating, so I see her point. But I can cook eggs just as well as I can prepare my oats, and what I love about eating out is being able to order my favourite dishes, but to have them made for me, to get fresh ideas about familiar foods and, ultimately, to have them taste better than when I make them myself. Lincolns served me a bowl of porridge that was an ideal consistency with a delightful selection of stewed fruit and a delicious scattering of brown sugar. I do like my porridge served with a little cold milk on the side, an absent element here, but I'll still award a 3.5.

4. Drinks


Alexander: Lincolns has an impressive drinks menu, with a beverage for whatever takes your fancy. You would expect good coffee from a venue so close to one of Perth's most popular coffee-strips, and I gotta say, they don't do too badly. But my cappuccino on this visit only managed to elicit a lukewarm reaction when I was hoping for a love affair in every sip. I knew I should have gone with the iced chocolate! Oh well, you win some, you lose some, and based on this visit, I can only award a 3 in the drinks category.

Lola:
Upon arrival I chose to enjoy a chai, made with milk. There were a few options in the chai department and mine had a good amount of spice and came with both honey and cinnamon sugar on the side. Afterwards I enjoyed a ginger tea. It was delivered in a lovely glass which almost made up for the fact that it had the tea bag sitting in it with a pot of hot water served next to it. I'm not sure how I feel about this! On one hand, I expect a pot with nice big tea leaves when I go out. But then again, this tea tasted good so what am I complaining about? Plus, I enjoy my tea weak and receiving my tea bag and hot water at Lincolns meant I could brew it to the perfect strength. Okay I've decided it's a good thing (but only because the bag was not submerged in the pot on arrival), a 4 here.

5. Fiscal Matters

Alexander:
Lincolns prides itself on using the best possible ingredients in its food. And, unsurprisingly, that commitment to quality does tend to have a negative impact on the price tags attached to its menu items. Is it just me, or do the prices seem to have crept up lately? Perhaps it's a by-product of climate change or the GFC? Or perhaps just the fact that Lincolns can get away with it? Don't get me wrong, there are some economical options, but unfortunately I can't say that the menu, as a whole, exudes that "value for money" quality. I'm giving it a 3.

Lola:
My dish was pretty decently priced under $10, though I thought some of the other options were a little steep. I guess they are, once again, prices we are used to seeing in Perth and so I'll have to award a 3 as well.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 7.5/10
Service: 7.5/10
Tastiness: 6.5/10
Drinks: 7/10
Fiscal Matters: 6/10
TOTAL: 34.5/50



Lincolns on Urbanspoon

Thursday, July 23, 2009

399 Bar


Sunday 16 July 2009

399 Bar
399 William Street,
Northbridge
(08) 9328 8006

1. Comfort & Surroundings

Alexander: I think it's important to highlight at the outset that 399 Bar is not your typical breakfast café. First and foremost, it's a bar that also serves coffee, but with an opening time of 10am on weekends in a nod to early-morning types. It adapts to the breakfast venue vibe pretty well with a tempting coffee aroma and large booth seating, but its layout with a ubiquitous view of the bar and spirits shelf means that you're under no illusion as to where you are at all times. That's not necessarily a bad thing; I'm sure there are lots of people out there who will be excited by the prospect of somewhat edgier and grittier breakfast venue. It's probably not the most child-friendly venue in town, but if you do want to bring one, there are three inexplicable high chairs that will keep your kid at eye level with the bar at all times. Now that's good parenting. 3 from me.

Lola:
399 Bar has popped up as a result of Western Australia’s new small bar licences and the product is a refreshing addition to the breakfast, and presumably evening, scenes. The bar is up the north end of William Street and, rather than juxtaposing the dreggy area, it embraces the grungy aesthetic. At the same time, 399 manages to remain clean and modern with its inviting booths, open plan and fresh fit out. After sampling another of the new small bars the night before, trudging into 399 was a fitting start to the morning and its relaxed and knowing atmosphere allowed us to wake up slowly. Points off only because the wide open doors made for a windier, chillier time than I would have liked, and the grandness of the booths means that had we come an hour later we would have shared our space with others, not the most desirable set up in a space that is otherwise so attractive to those waking up feeling a little seedy. 3.5.

2. Service

Alexander: Being seated within one metre of the bar at all times means that you don't have to go far out of your way to make an order. And you'll be happy to know that you get the cool, mild indifference from the staff that you'd expect from someone working behind a bar, but with a slightly more attentive vibe given that you're not shouting an order over loud music and a throng of other people. In keeping with the theme, we were brought two glasses of water without having to ask - but they came after we'd finished our meals. This sums up the service at 399 Bar perfectly; there's nothing to complain about, but they're not going out of their way to impress you. Which is probably how it should be. I'm going with 3.

Lola: Agreed. While the staff embodied the laid back vibe fitting for a bar in the morning, they were suitably attentive and polite. They did not have the sluggishness of having been out on the turps themselves, yet they were not disproportionately perky either. They settled into the surroundings perfectly and warrant a 3.5 from me.

3. Tastiness

Alexander: You get two food choices at 399 Bar: the "Bloody Bacon" or nothing. Let me explain. Food is not 399 Bar's specialty, but as an acknowledgment to hungry people, they have included one breakfast food item on the menu: a Bloody Mary/bacon & egg roll combo for $15. And if you keep in mind the context and don't mind the lack of choice, it's pretty good. Sure, the roll could be toasted and the fillings were a little undercooked for my taste but, in combination with the Bloody Mary (more on that below), it went down a treat. Plus, it's the ultimate hangover food for people who were at 399 Bar the night before and want to come back the next morning for more. Another 3 from me.

Lola: I really enjoyed this no fuss approach to morning ordering. Although it wouldn’t be my choice every Sunday, I think it’s ideal for the venue. 399 Bar also serve lunch and dinner, offering one option for each meal that changes daily. I really dig this idea! Like Alexander, I would have preferred my roll slightly toasted or warmed, but you can’t expect too much fuss here. I’m giving it a 3 as well.

4. Drinks

Alexander: Being a bar, the drinks category is 399 Bar's time to shine. And I wasn't disappointed. Lola and I took the opportunity to review two drinks again at this breakfast and both were of a high standard. I started with a cappuccino that was of a better quality than a lot of cappuccinos I've had from "coffee specialists". Then, as foreshadowed above, it was time for the Bloody Mary. I enjoyed it as the perfect accompaniment to the food - spicy and savory with cracked black pepper and a celery stick. I'm giving the drinks a 4.

Lola: A 4.5 from me, an extra half a point being awarded for the novelty of the Bloody Mary. What a perfect idea! My hot chocolate was, like Alexander’s cappuccino, above the standard of many cafés I’ve visited and the Bloody Mary was delicious. The staff really know what they are doing here.

5. Fiscal Matters

Alexander: The "Bloody Bacon" combo was $15, which is pretty reasonable considering you are paying upwards of that price just for meals at most breakfast venues. The coffee was very reasonably priced as well. However, despite the value for money, I can't give this a huge score because the lack of options means that there isn't really something for everyone. 3 from me.

Lola: I was more impressed by the value for money and am awarding a 4. I thought $15 was extremely reasonable, particularly compared with other local breakfast venues. If you're scraping your pennies together after a big night out, 399 Bar is definitely an option for morning nourishment. I look forward to returning on an evening before too long.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 6.5/10
Service: 6.5/10
Tastiness: 6/10
Drinks: 8.5/10
Fiscal Matters: 7/10
TOTAL: 34.5/50


399 Bar on Urbanspoon

Monday, July 6, 2009

The Imp


Sunday 28 June 2009


The Imp Café
863 Albany Highway,
East Victoria Park
(08) 9361 2600

1. Comfort & Surroundings

Lola: I've always had a soft spot for Vic Park. One mention of the suburb and my mind floats back to the mid 1980s when I would
accompany my mother on visits to the bank, the post office and the big Sands & McDougall stationery store, for the family business. These afternoons were blissful and carefree, and were often rounded out by a visit to the old cake shop in Heart of the Park for a sweet treat. It's lovely to find a place with the potential to recreate such blithe memories. Inside, The Imp is comfortable and relaxed with its long bench seat down one side of the room overlooking a cabinet of cakes and smiling staff.

It was fortunate that we were able to move inside after a short stint sitting on the pavement. The tables outside were incredibly small and arranged so closely together that I felt like we had a party of four, not two, and the cigarette smoke wafting from the other tables was not at all conducive to enjoying food and drink. Although we were able to move and enjoy a lovely setting indoors, I have to consider the unpleasantness of our original seating arrangement and award a mark of 3.

Alexander:
Vic Park has a special place in my memories, but for a much geekier reason. As a super cool 14 year old, I used to come to the Vic Park recreation centre every few months for collector fairs. You know, with toys and comics and stuff. Like I said, super cool.

Anyway, I was happy to be back in Vic Park but for cooler reasons this time, a breakfast with Lola for our blog! Running late, as usual, I arrived just as some tables inside were opening up, so I didn't have to spend much time outside. Which was fine; there's not much of a vista outside unless you like watching the cars drive by on Albany Highway. Inside, The Imp packs a lot of tables into a small space, but it manages to feel buzzy rather than cramped. I liked the exposed brick walls and condiment/water counter. Weighing it all up, I'll give it 3.5.

2. Service

Lola: I was incredibly pleased with the politeness and affability of the staff, and the speed of service. It is counter service, so I am giving a 4.

Alexander: I placed the order and the person behind the counter was friendly and fun - chatty, but not too chatty. There was no attitude in sight, so taking into account the fact it was counter service, it gets the highest it can get - a 4.

3. Tastiness

Lola: I loved this menu, with a variety of options from Coco Pops to a 'Hangover Roll'! I settled on the mushrooms and spinach on toast with mascarpone cheese and was presented with a generous portion of topping on two slices of my selected seven seed toast. One half of my meal was absolutely perfect, though the other half left a lot to be desired. Although I dug in straight away, one slice of toast was already soggy, and the promised mascarpone was absent (although a small, yet perfectly satisfactory, portion was present underneath the topping on the other piece of toast). I am sure this was just bad luck and due to the deliciousness of the good half, I'll still give my meal a 3.5.

Alexander: The menu at The Imp has some interesting features which makes it stand out a bit from the crowd. I ordered the Hangover Roll (although I wasn't hungover, I swear) and it hit the spot. An omelette with bacon, tomato and jalapeños, served in a fresh roll with spinach and relish, the Hangover Roll will definitely fill you up. I had no complaints, but it wasn't something I absolutely loved, so it gets a 3 from me.

4. Drinks

Lola: Our leisurely morning had room for us to sample a couple of drinks each, and it was a good thing we did. I began with a hot chocolate that was, unfortunately, lukewarm at best. My mocha granita, however, was a perfect marriage of chocolate and coffee in the refreshing iced form. It was fairly small but it was enough for me, and raised my score up to a 3.5.

Alexander: Two drinks! Who would have thought? My first was a cappuccino - completely acceptable but not all that special. My second was an iced mocha - deliciously, perfectly apportioned and satisfying. It seems as though cold drinks are done much better at The Imp, so maybe keep that in mind when making your own choices. I'll give the drinks experience a 3.5.

5. Fiscal Matters

Lola: This is where The Imp really stood out. Prices start at $3.50 for a muffin... okay maybe this doesn't count, but the way they put it on the printed menu makes it seem like it's a reasonable breakfast option! Regardless, you can enjoy some brand name cereal for just $4 or various toast options for $5.50. And my selection cost me $9.50, a price point around which most of the menu sat. It's so refreshing to see a well priced breakfast menu in our fine city! A 4.5 from me.

Alexander: I don't know if it's the location away from the more well-known breakfast strips, but The Imp is extremely reasonable. As Lola pointed out, there is a wide range of options to suit any budget. My food only cost $11.50, whereas I would expect to pay at least $16 in Mt Lawley or South Perth. Get in before the cool kids discover it and all the prices go up - 4.5 from me.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 6.5/10
Service: 8/10
Tastiness: 6.5/10
Drinks: 7/10
Fiscal Matters: 9/10
TOTAL: 37/50

The Imp on Urbanspoon

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Toast


Sunday 24 May 2009

Toast
Shop 21/60 Royal Street, East Perth
(08) 9221 7553


1. Comfort and Surroundings

Alexander: My first breakfast in East Perth was a pleasant surprise. There were plenty of people in the area which provided for the right amount of bustle on an otherwise relatively sleepy street. Toast looks great - it has a distinct theme without feeling rigid or overdone. There are tables inside and outside. It's counter service but there weren't any difficulties ordering. The condiments tray was conveniently located. The table next to us was inhabited by rude people who didn't have any concept of personal space (with a chair continuously banging against our table), but even that didn't dent Toast's cool, casual vibe. 4 from me.

Lola: Having found the development of East Perth overly manufactured, I've previously avoided the suburb. There was nothing contrived about Toast. With its red vinyl chairs, antique Pastis bottles serving as water bottles and miniature blackboard table numbers, the decor proved fresh and delightful. I chose the comfortable bench seat across the back of the room and took advantage of one of the many cushions that were lying about. Toast was pleasant and inviting and deserves a 4 from me too.

2. Service

Alexander: It's counter service but the people working there were so nice that I can't really mark it down for that. Our drinks came out quickly (which is what you want), but the food wasn't rushed out, providing just enough delay to allow a decent portion of conversation before stuffing our faces. Perfect. Plates were cleared quickly and with minimal invasiveness. I'm going 4 again.

Lola: The staff here are delightful and incredibly good at what they do. The way the counter service works here makes for maximum efficiency, however, as a rule I won't give above a 4 for this kind of set up. Therefore they receive the maximum counter service score of 4.

3. Tastiness

Alexander: I ordered the cheesy scrambled eggs with chives, roast tomatoes and rye bread. It was good - enough food without being too massive. The eggs weren't super cheesy, but that was probably a good thing to avoid excessive richness. The tomatoes were sweet and well cooked. I was really excited when I saw rye bread on the menu, but unfortunately this was probably the least delicious part of the meal (the pieces being slightly tiny in size and a tad over-toasted). There was a good variety of innovative other things on the menu, and I look forward to trying some of the other options. A 3 from me.

Lola: My choice this Sunday were the corn fritters with scrambled eggs, avocado and hollandaise. I'm a big fan of the corn fritter and resultantly might be quite hard to please, but these were just the way I like them. With not too much unnecessary batter holding them together the focus was on the good stuff. Eggs were poached to perfection and the avocado was fresh and plentiful. The dish only fell short because I prefer my hollandaise with slightly more tang, but that's very much a personal quirk. Once again, a 4 here.

4. Drinks

Alexander: My iced mocha was pretty awesome. Sweet and strong without being overpowering. Cold. Served in a tall glass. Just the way I like it - 4.5.

Lola: Top marks! I couldn't fault my hot chocolate. With its great flavour, temperature and size, I was Goldilocks and it was baby bear's porridge. Since there was no room for improvement I have to give a 5.

5. Fiscal matters

Alexander: Prices are pretty standard and definitely reasonable. My food was $15 and my drink was $5.50, so I definitely didn't feel ripped off. Other items on the menu provided a suitable range of prices. Not much more to say on this front. I'm giving it a 3.

Lola: I feel similarly to Alexander on this issue as Toast offers average Perth prices and, accordingly, I'm giving an average 3.5. My fritters were a reasonable $16.50 and my hot chocolate $4.40.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Tastiness: 7/10
Drinks: 9.5/10
Fiscal Matters: 6.5/10
TOTAL: 39/50

Toast on Urbanspoon

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Sensations en Ardross


Sunday 19 April 2009

Sensations en Ardross
43A Ardross Street, Applecross
(08) 9364 8806


1. Comfort and Surroundings

Lola: Needing a south of the river location we once again ventured to Applecross, this time trying the spot just next door to the location of our last expedition. Accordingly, the view and surrounds were just as nice, though I couldn't help but compare the seating arrangements to Jacs. The table and chairs this week were adequate but not particularly comfortable and I felt a little cramped. It's nice there, but nothing special, so I'll give it a 3.

Alexander: Our table felt like it was a bit smooshed in between other tables, which wasn't very impressive. The decor is a bit of a jumble without any discernible theme. Also, the line of people waiting to order tends to snake through the tables, meaning things felt a little unsettled. It also made it hard to reach the condiments table! This may sound harsh, but I am going with a 2.

2. Service

Lola: You order at the counter at Sensations which I don't mind at all. The girl who served me was friendly and accommodating, granting substitutions and answering questions. They also provide water and a huge range of condiments for self-service, meaning there was no further contact with staff. I find this kind of set-up often results in not being able to obtain access to what you want because it has inevitably been taken by a customer for exclusive use at their own table, but they had so much on offer that we weren't disappointed. No problems but I can't give more than 3.5 since we largely served ourselves.

Alexander: I didn't have much contact with the people working at Sensations because Lola ordered my breakfast for me. The brief encounters I had with the waitresses were pleasant though. As a self-service place, the marks are never going to be super high from me - I'm giving it a 3.

3. Tastiness

Lola: I really liked the menu and was torn between many dishes! I finally chose the breakfast wrap minus the fresh tomato. This was a thin crepe with perfect scrambled eggs, chives and avocado inside. Unfortunately the avocado you see in the picture was almost the entire amount of avocado in the wrap. Sigh. While the eggs were cooked to perfection I did expect a bit more out of each bite. I was still pretty happy though and would like to return and try another option! But for this meal, a 2.5.

Alexander: It was a big menu and in the end I went for the scrambled eggs with spinach and feta. The scrambled eggs were well cooked and there was a good (but not overpowering) amount of spinach and feta included. The combination of flavours definitely worked and the bread held it all together. I could probably have used a bigger serve though. All in all, 3.5.

4. Drinks

Lola: My chai was extremely disappointing. It was insipid, tasting of slightly flavoured warm milk. The flavour itself was promising but was not brewed for long enough! Only a 1.5 from my end.

Alexander: Given how fussy I am about drinks, I am surprised to be giving a higher mark than Lola. I ordered a cappuccino and, while not the most exciting coffee in the world, it still hit the spot - a 3 effort.

5. Fiscal matters

Lola: At $18.50 for my fairly small and simple crepe I thought the prices were a bit steep. I have to go a 2.5.

Alexander: The prices weren't exorbitant but they were on the high end of the scale. It's pretty much what you would expect from Ardross Street in Applecross. Given it's self-service, I think the menu was a bit overpriced, so I am only giving it 2.5.

The verdict...

Comfort & Surroundings: 5/10
Service: 6.5/10
Tastiness: 6/10
Drinks: 4.5/10
Fiscal Matters: 5/10
TOTAL: 27/50

Sensations En Ardross on Urbanspoon

Monday, March 16, 2009

JACS Café Pizzeria


Sunday 15 March 2009

JACS Café Pizzeria
Shop 1, 45 Ardross Street, Applecross
(08) 9364 8687


1. Comfort and surroundings

Alexander: JACS is a lovely place to have breakfast, with its very pretty location on Ardross Street in Applecross. Lola made the wise move of booking a table on the balcony under the veranda. The seats were comfortable, the table was spacious and the view was perfect for a Sunday morning. JACS finds the right mix between intimacy and vibrancy (there is a suitably cool bright purple JACS sign on the wall), so this place gets high marks for comfort and surroundings, a 4.5.

Lola: The location on the relatively quiet street was very relaxing. While they have quite a lot of tables they have used the space well so there was no crowding. It is very clean and not at all cluttered but still managed to retain a laid back vibe with its modern feel. Time got away from us while we were sitting around after breakfast, a testament to JACS comfortableness. A 4.5 from me too.

2. Service

Alexander: We didn't have to wait very long before we were approached by a friendly waitress for our order. There is no drinks menu, so the waitress helpfully reeled off the items we could order. She was happy to give us more time to decide on food, and then waited an appropriate length of time before coming back to take the order. We also got water without having to ask. Very nice - it gets a 4.

Lola: I'm giving a high 4.5 for service. The staff were friendly, helpful and prompt and I was particularly impressed by the girl who took my booking. Her phone manner was delightful, she asked if I had a preference as to where we'd sit and suggested the verandah when I indicated our like of fresh air but aversion to any direct sunlight. As I mentioned above, we sat around for a while after finishing our meals. While our dishes were cleared promptly and the waitress was present if we needed her, it did not once feel like we should either move on or otherwise order something else. In this way the staff really added to our comfort!

3. Tastiness

Alexander: It was nice to see a good mix of the usual breakfast items and some more interesting ones on JACS' menu. I ordered the Cheshire smoked bacon with stuffed mushroom and poached eggs. The bacon had a distinct flavour that made it a bit different from your run-of-the-mill offerings and the eggs were poached to the perfect consistency. So that was all good. However, I wasn't a big fan of the stuffed mushroom (it was a field mushroom with cherry tomatoes and melted cheese) and I think a more boring grilled mushroom would have been more to my taste. My only other complaint is that the meal came served with toasted Italian bread. While fresh Italian bread is lovely, it doesn't have the best toasting properties, and a thick cut multigrain or sourdough would have been much nicer. I'll give it a 3.

Lola: I too was impressed with the mix of offerings, particularly the inclusion of a marron omelette and that their bacon and eggs on toast also included an 'extra' of your choice. I was very happy with my potato rosti with poached eggs, smoked salmon, asparagus and goat's cheese which also came with a piece of toast. Unlike Alexander I didn't mind the bread choice - it wasn't too crusty and was soft in the middle. I really enjoyed this breakfast and I think it was the inclusion of the asparagus that really made it. The portions were generous and the ingredients were fresh. A 4 from me.

4. Drinks

Alexander: I ordered an iced chocolate and it was really a work of art. It is perhaps the first time ever that I've thought there was too much flavour, but compared to some of the weak, generic iced chocolates I've had, that's not a real complaint. You can see for yourself how nice it looked. It gets a 4 from me.

Lola: I would have appreciated a drinks menu but as Alexander mentioned, the waitress was really helpful in this department. I selected an orange juice and had no complaints, though provided it is fresh and cold, it's hard to get this wrong. I'll give it 3.5.

5. Fiscal matters

Alexander: Prices were pretty normal for Perth breakfasts (my dish was $18), with a range of menu items for all sorts of budgets. The food and drink servings were large enough to warrant the price tags, so I have no complaints about this one. 3.5 from me.

Lola: My dish was also $18 which I thought was warranted based on the portion size and the quality and freshness of ingredients. A 3.5 here too.

The verdict...

Comfort & surroundings: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Tastiness: 7/10
Drinks: 7.5/10
Fiscal Matters: 7/10
TOTAL: 39/50


Jacs Cafe & Pizzeria on Urbanspoon

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Milkd


Sunday 1 March 2009

Milkd
32 Angove Street, North Perth
(08) 9228 8867


1. Comfort and surroundings

Lola: So the table was small and the stools were small but it didn't really bother me too much. I guess they were in proportion and despite their miniature quality I didn't feel like I was crammed into a small space trying to avoid other cafe patrons. The street was nice and quiet on a Sunday morning and the joint was quite charming and relaxed. But even though it was a fairly nice day it was way too hot inside meaning sitting in a booth (our preferred position in any venue) just wasn't an option bringing a big cross. I'm going 2.5.

Alexander: I don't think Milkd is really set up for comfort, but that doesn't mean it felt unpleasant. In fact, there's quite a bit to like; it's a nice setting, there's a regular stream of people (without being too busy) and there's a good vibe to the place. My biggest complaint was the heat inside. It wasn't a particularly hot day but it was too sticky to sit inside! So we sat outside on the mini table and stools. Compared to some other breakfast spots, Milkd was a bit average - it gets a 2.5 from me too.

2. Service

Lola: I had minimal contact with any staff, not having done the ordering but my impression was that they were polite enough. We didn't have to wait for a noticeably long time so no complaints from my end. A 4 from me, no complaints but nothing stood out.

Alexander: It's self-service but the waitstaff are friendly and there was just the right amount of waiting time for the food to come out. No one offered us water though, so it's lucky we brought our own. So 3.5.

3. Tastiness

Lola: Okay I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast with hazelnut pesto. It was good but nothing special. The hazelnut pesto was pretty special itself but the quantity of egg and the flavour of the smoked salmon meant that I couldn't taste it when eating it as it was presented. Separating the dish into pesto on toast and eggs with salmon was effective but distracting. I'll give it a 3.

Alexander: I'm giving it a 3 too. The food was like a nice meal that you cook yourself at home: everything tastes good and you have no complaints, but it's not that special. I had the pancetta bacon with poached eggs, tomato and rocket. Everything worked and there was a decent portion of food, but I could have done this myself.

4. Drinks

Lola: A 4 from me! The drink options were extensive enough and the iced coffee we both selected was to my taste.

Alexander: I was much less impressed. It was a very standard iced coffee. But I have very high standards for cold drinks. A 2 from me.

5. Fiscal matters

Lola: It wasn't amazing value but it was standard, for my mind. Not too bad at all. But points off for the overpriced nature of the iced coffee - yeah it was good but not six dollars good. I still managed to get out of there for under $20 so I'll give it a 3.5.

Alexander: You can get things for under $10 and the mains go up to about $17. I've seen much more expensive in Perth, so no complaints in relation to price. Except for the average iced coffee, which was a bit overpriced! All in all, 3.5 from me too.

The verdict...

Comfort & surroundings: 5/10
Service: 7.5/10
Tastiness: 6/10
Drinks: 6/10
Fiscal Matters: 7/10
TOTAL: 31.5/50


Milkd on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hi hi!

So, you see, we are quite keen on breakfasts. We support each other's love of the meal by meeting for friendship over porridge and pancakes, bagels and bacon, coffee and croissants. Over the years we've discovered some great spots for morning meals in Perth, Western Australia, and now we will revisit them, as well as finding new places, and share our thoughts on them with you.

As well as having a little chat we will both give a rating out of 5 for all our categories and will also publish our combined ratings out of 10.

We hope you have fun coming with us as we eat our way through town!