New restaurants setting Perth dining scene abuzz

The dining scene in Perth is slowly heating up. Early next year, the city's A$2.6-billion (S$3-billion) Elizabeth Quay project, with a split-level promenade packed with cafes and restaurants, will debut next to the Swan River.

Life!Weekend notes five new restaurants that have opened in the past year in the city.

Silks

The Perth counterpart of Melbourne's popular Silks restaurant. It serves fine Cantonese dim sum dishes, alongside views of the city and Swan River, in the city's spiffy casino and hotel complex.

The dishes are created under the eye of chef de cuisine Pat Cheong from Hong Kong whose dumpling dishes are the stars, such as the Steamed Lobster And Caviar Dumplings (A$28), Sea Cucumber And Shallots Dumpling (A$22) and Steamed "Shanghai Style" Crab Meat Dumplings (A$22).

The restaurant has three degustation menus (A$128 to A$276 a person), with dishes such as Double Boiled Silky Chicken With Abalone, Steamed WA Lobster With Minced Garlic, and the Barbeque Pork Glazed With Jarrah Honey And Roasted Crispy Pork Belly.

Where: Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA 6100, open at noon for lunch and 6pm for dinner daily
Info: Call +61-8-9362-7551

Sushia Izakaya & Bar

This Perth branch of the Sydney restaurant has now become the brand's flagship.

The first restaurant in Sydney was a "concept store" to test if Australians would take to fusion Japanese food, says operations manager Preston Cheung, 36. He expects to expand to four more joints in the next two years in Perth, including one with a takeaway section.

The menu changes quarterly and the restaurant has plans to hold sake masterclasses. Try the Hamachi Carpaccio (A$18), thin slices of kingfish with yuzu gellee and the tart tang of pesto; the Teppanyaki Prawns (A$33, right), black tiger prawns with yuzu truffle, served on its own barbecue; and the Oyster Trio (A$14 to A$18), done how you would like it, with ikura salsa, ponzu or fried in nori.

Sushia also has a sizeable drinks menu, created by London-based mixologist Leroy Rawlins. His fusion creations include the Tusurai Martini (A$18), a cocktail of cucumber with Belvedere vodka, chilli and pineapple; and the Sake Kiss (A$18), Beefeater gin with lychee, raspberry, sake and rose water.

Where: Brookfield Place, Basement Laneway, 125 St Georges Terrace, open noon to 11pm (Mondays to Thursdays), noon to midnight (Fridays), 6pm to midnight (Saturdays), closed on Sundays
Info: Call +61-8-9322-7771 or go to www.sushia.com.au

Bread In Common

This cafe and bakery in a grungy warehouse in Perth's port city of Fremantle is the result of an alliance between the owners of landmark Perth restaurants such as Balthazar, Duende Tapas Bar, Il Lido and Gordon Street Garage and property giant Adrian Fini.

Its sandwiches are made on its wood-fired organic flour bread: Try the Smoked Ham, Cheese, Chutney and Radicchio (A$12) or the Chocolate, Ricotta, Honey and Cinnamon (A$14). Sharing platters (A$9 to A$26) are packed with anything from mushrooms, venison sausage, chargrilled swordfish to lamb ribs.

Where: 43 Pakenham Street, Fremantle, open 10am to 10pm (Sundays to Thursdays), 10am till late (Fridays and Saturdays)
Info: Call +61-8-9336-1032 or go to www.breadincommon.com.au

Pinchos

Named after the Spanish verb "pinchar", which means "to pierce", this hole-in-the-wall tapas-style bar serves snacks pierced with cocktail sticks.

The Pintxos Anchoa (A$3) is a dish of ortiz anchovy, egg, pimiento and fig or onion jam, while the Pintxos Chorizo Con Miel (A$2) has sausage, honey and cheese.

Chef-owner Justin Bell, 44, keeps the menu affordable, with the most expensive items being the fish, vegetarian or meat mixed boards (A$30 each).

Where: 749 Newcastle Street, Leederville, open 11.30am to 9pm (Mondays), 11.30am to 10pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 11.30am to 9pm (Sundays)
Info: Call +61-8-9228-3008

Miss Kitty's Saloon

This joint serves hearty Canadian-American cuisine, such as Grilled Fremantle Octopus (A$23.80), served with chorizo and peach salad; Fried Pickle (A$8.80) with house cured ham and chilli mayo; and Crispy Pork Ribs (A$22.80) with hot sauce and blue cheese yogurt.

Calling itself "beautiful with a bit of dirt", this restaurant has timber board walls, a vintage piano and chandeliers.

Where: 882 Beaufort Street, open 5.30pm to midnight (Tuesdays to Saturdays), closed on Sundays and Mondays
Info: Call +61-8-9272-6669 or e-mail dirt@misskittyssaloon.com.au

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