Mrs. S

Its been a while since I last caught up with my friend Nini - in fact the last time we got together was at Max Brenner Joondalup not long after they opened up.

This particular Saturday we decided to meet up in Maylands and have breakfast at Mrs. S and do a bit of cake and sweet treat shopping whist we were there.

We both knew how busy and popular Mrs. S would be so we opted to meet around 8:30 am but being a lazy cold Saturday I found it funny how we both were late but within 5 minutes of eachother, so it all worked out in the end and we were sitting down by 9.

 

I've been to Mrs S once before and I remembered I had the cornbread with bacon and eggs, it was a popular dish last time and there it was again on the menu! I do like to order up differently a lot of the time but couldn't resist having this one again. Thanks Nini for this beautiful photo of 'yolk porn'

 

Nini chose the Yoghurt Panna Cotta purely for the photo value! Mind you it did taste just as lovely as it looked, and she was super happy with her choice. The Panna Cotta was nestled in amongst beautiful vibrant fresh and poached fruit

 

 

My daughter ordered the simple Toast with Jam and Butter and happily munched away through it all.

Inside is a whole counter full of house made cakes, breads, pastries and sweet treats that send your senses and bank card into overdrive!! We couldn't resist taking home a few treats each and I was telling Nini that if I don't make my own cakes and sweets I always buy them from places like Mrs. S etc.

 

 

Overall a delicious breakfast and great catch up as always. 

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WA Signature Dish 2015 - Buy West Eat Best

In case you haven't heard the WA Signature Dish is back In full swing this year. The Signature Dish Competition is presented by Buy West Eat Best and is a great way to showcase the fantastic local food industry and celebrate the diversity and quality of produce in WA.


Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Each year there are 4 different regions chosen and local produce from each of those regions become the 'hero' component in your culinary creation. This year, there are also 'supporting ingredients' which are Buy West Eat Best's member ingredients which can be optional to include in your recipes too.

The 4 regions to be showcased this year are;
Gascoyne
Kimberley
Peel
Swan Valley and Surrounds.

I was lucky enough last year to be chosen as a Semi Finalist for the Great Southern Region. I had a great time at the cook off in Denmark at Pepper & Salt Restaurant at the picturesque Forest Hill Estate.

Here are a few photos from the launch which was held on the 10th of August at Bistro Guillame at Perth's Crown Resort.


Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Rob Broadfield addressing the crowd.
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Be sure to tune into Our State On A Plate on Channel 9 on Saturday at 5:30pm to catch last years winner Rhiannon Birch show Eamon Sullivan and us how to cook her winning dish from last year, Dorper Lamb in Lupin and Za’atar Crust with Sweet Potato and Lupin Salad, Moroccan Flavours.



Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)
 

Rhiannon Birch's 2014 Signature Dish
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Mentor judges
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

 



This year, the winner not only receives the title of winning WA's Signature Dish but also gets 2 hours mentoring with Guillame Brahimi (head chef and owner of Bistro Guillame) plus a luxury wine and dine experience in Northern WA!

Check out Buy West Eat Best Facebook and Website for Entry Forms and more details.

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Johnny's Burger Joint

As another weekend rolls around I get excited, because it means I can browse through my ever- growing list of new and old eateries and choose which one to dine at that we haven't before.

On this particular day, we decided to pop our Johnny's Burger Joint cherries, so we piled into the car and set the GPS to Warton Road in Canning Vale. Some 45 minutes later we arrived at the busy shopping centre, spotted the shop and quickly found parking.

I was very surprised to see only a few small groups of people eating here as I've seen the hype these burgers cause on Instagram and Facebook.  Though upon being seated I did notice 2 big tables reserved for a big group gathering and the place did eventually fill up with hungry diners.

 

We were going to have the bacon and cheese fries but I just couldn't go past the waffle fries, I remember when HJ's did these when I was a kid an I loved them!! They were so delicious and crispy!

Both my Hubby and I couldn't pick between The Cure and The Juicy Lucy, so we decided to order them both and fight (nicely) over them when they come out later.

The first thing that I noticed when I stepped inside Johnny's was the milkshake machines lined up along the bench. The fridge is also stocked with various drinks and soft drinks which include some American Imported soft drinks, too.

We opted for 2 chocolate milkshakes and a can of diet coke. The milkshakes were icy cold and thick; I shared mine with my daughter but was only allowed the one gulp!! My husband thought the Milkshake was a pretty good one too!

My Husband's Juicy Lucy burger was smothered in Hickory sauce and the big beef patty was oozing melted cheese....delicious!

My Cure Burger - Bacon Infused Beef patty, bacon, fried onion ring and Johnny special sauce made for a tasty treat and was definitely great value .The burgers are pretty big and around the $14 mark, I left some behind as I was so full!

 

 

Overall, our first time at Johnny's was a delicious one, we just wish it wasn't so far away!

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High Wycombe Tavern

We love the Wiki! We've been dining here for a while now and were introduced to the place when my Hubby's Cousin lived in the area. We kept being told this place had cheap pints and awesome food so one day we checked it out and we're so glad we did. We now frequent this place every couple of weeks, usually when we can't decide on somewhere new to eat or we just want a good quality meal.

The High Wycombe Tavern can get pretty busy on the weekends for lunch (the secret is out!), so I'd suggest making a booking just to be sure. Only once, have we been turned away because they were packed but now we know to ring and book most times.

The menu is quite extensive and covers all the bases, pasta, steak, fish n chips, pork belly etc etc. They always have a specials sheet where you'll find a Rump Steak or Fish n Chips with a PINT of beer for just $15 plus daily specials. They also do a 'Beer of The Month' where pints of it are just $4.90 and it's usually either Stella, Becks or Heineken.

These cheaper meals are great and we've both had the Wagyu Roll with Chips & Gravy numerous times.

Sizzling Garlic Prawns often make an appearance and the small size is perfect for 2 people to share for starters.

Last time I had the Seafood Gnocchi special.

And the time before that I had the Pie Special which was a delicious Rich Beef and Gravy Pie.

My Hubby loves their Hellfire Parmy. A thick juicy crumbed chicken breast topped with pork belly pieces, BBQ sauce and Jalapeno Chilli its a pimped up version of the classic, done right!

Kids are well looked after with meals priced at $7.50, with a few choices and come with a slushie drink, ice cream and a kids activity pack!

This place is great for a family/birthday lunch or dinner with the family as its nice and cosy and has something to please everybody's tastes.

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Stewarts at Brookleigh Estate

I was so excited to hear from Stewarts and was eager to try out their new winter menu for 2015.

We chose a Sunday lunch to indulge and we did just that.

As I've mentioned before in my previous visit here not too long ago (and that's just how I think ill keep my visits to Stewarts in future- very regular) one of my favourite wines happens to be on the list - the one I'm still yet to find to purchase in Perth. I found this lovely drop when I competed in the Buy West Eat Best 2014 WA's Signature Dish Competition down in Denmark WA and it's made by Forest Hill Estate. It's a 2012 Riesling and is very easy to drink. My husband agreed and we ordered a bottle of this right away.

We decided to have an entrée each instead of sharing this time around. My husband couldn't pass up the Beef Cheek. A small portion of thinly sliced cheek, served with mash, artichoke puree, it was like a mini roast and it was very tender and delicious.

 

I ordered the Duck Liver Parfait with Orange Jelly, Cornichons and Crisp Breads. I was definitely loving the creamy rich flavor of the pate and was very happy sipping my wine and nibbling on my little platter for one.

 

 

 

Filo Wrapped Chicken Wellington, Ecrase Potatoes, Silverbeet and Mustard Cream Sauce was my hubby's main (after we almost both ordered it) and the filo was lovely and crispy. The light mustard cream sauce added a nice touch also. This was a great sounding, looking and tasting dish!

 

 

For my mains, I decided on the Caramelized Pork Belly, Boulangere Potatoes, Choucroute, Sweet Potato Puree and Apple Cider Sauce to help break my pork belly drought. I don't know why but it's been a while since I've had pork belly. A perfectly sized portion of belly with a thin crispy crackling and a meltingly tender meat underneath. I'm always mesmerized how the grains of meat alternate in different directions layer by layer in pork belly and was loving every minute.

 

Looking through the menu I noticed they've switched from doing weekend breakfasts to now serving weekend brunch. Brunch is served 10am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday and looks great! The friendly waitstaff also mentioned that the new brunch menu has been very popular due to the more relaxed serving time. You can still order the full lunch menu on the weekends too so all bases are covered!

I'm so glad Stewarts isn't far from home and now I've seen the brunch menu I'll be back here in a few weeks to check it out!

The rest of the winter menu looks great too. They have a different Fish of the day dish and a pretty decent kids menu too.

 

Thanks Brookleigh!

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Mary Street Bakery

Another lovely catch-up was on the cards with my friend Brooke (Cooking 101) . It was Brooke's choice this time around and Mary Street Bakery was the decision. A very popular little spot in Highgate on the corner of Mary and Beaufort Streets, I can't believe I hadn't dined here sooner!

We met up around 11, grabbed a table outside and looked through the menu. I love how MSB's breakfast menu extends all the way to 3pm. I decided on the slow cooked eggs with bacon. Lovely silky smooth eggs that overflowed with the touch of my fork; this was perfect and just what I needed on that cool morning.

Brooke went the very popular Crispy Chicken Buttermilk Pancakes, with Maple syrup and a Fried Egg. Delicious, tender, crunchy chicken thigh on top of a pancake with a fried egg surrounded by a sticky sweet maple syrup. The flavour combo on this one was to die for!

I couldn't help but steal a bit of Brooke's breakfast, then she kindly offered up a piece of chicken smothered in the sticky maple syrup and I was in heaven!

We got talking to one of the friendly staff members who asked if we'd like to see the wine list. I think we all know the answer to that one, and just like that a lovely glass of champagne was quickly in our hands!

Satisfied from our brunch at MSB we sauntered over the road to The Queens Hotel and ordered a beer each to soak up the sun and make the most of the time we had left to chat!

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Chilli Con Queso - Mexican Cheese Dip

This recipe is to die for! It's a hot cheese dip with Mexican flavours and is great to whip up when you have a few friends over for some drinks.

I remember as a kid going out with my family to our local Mexican restaurant Acapulco Annie's and ordering this every single time!

Ingredients
3 spring onions, sliced thinly, reserving half for garnish
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp Mexican seasoning spice
1/2 tsp chilli powder
Handful of coriander, chopped finely
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 block Kraft velveeta cheese, grated
2 TBSP parmesan cheese
4 tbsp jalapeno chillis, chopped finely, reserving half for garnish
1 cup milk

Method
Place everything in a microwave safe jug and heat on high for 3-4 minutes whisking halfway. Mixture should be thick, hot and combined.

Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with spring onions,jalapeno chillies and cracked pepper. Serve with corn chips and raw vegetable sticks.

 

Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated within 4-5 days.

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A Fish Called Inglewood

AFCI is just tucked away on Beaufort St., right behind Miss Kitty's Saloon on Ninth Avenue.

A great little location, with an ATM across the road and plenty of parking nearby. We decided to eat here for lunch on a Saturday. The menu changes daily, reflecting what was bought fresh from the fish markets earlier that morning!

Looking upon the menu, I don't think we could go past the seafood platter for 2 which came with 2 glasses of red or white wine. It was just one of those days where an easy but tasty seafood platter was needed, but not the long drive to Fremantle to have one!

The wine selection we were given was the 'Chain of Fire' red or SSB, so we both chose the white to come out with the platter whilst ordering a beer from the handpicked beer menu to drink now. AFCI have just had their liquor licence approved, so now have a well stocked fridge full of old favourites and hand picked boutique style drinks to compliment your lunch or dinner.

The kids are looked after with their own little menu and some colouring in to keep them occupied.

Our daughter chose the fish and chips and ate it all! (with a little bribery of AFCI's house-made ice creams for after of course!)

Our platter was filled with a yummy selection of the usual things you'd find on a seafood platter. The oysters were lovely and fresh and the squid was the best I've had in a long time. It was soft and tender, definitely cooked to perfection. Everything else was delicious too!

 

 

A relatively new business in Inglewood, great location and family friendly, I can definitely  recommend this place!

They also have a little take away menu, great if you live nearby, or quickly stopping past, with the fave's like fish and chips, fish burgers and salads.

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