The Breakfast Confidential

Foam Coffee Bar

Liz — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:55:13 +0000

I remember being a uni student in the late 90's and regularly going to "Leedy" for those notorious student nights at the Hip-e club and when we weren't being trash bags there we thought it was the height of sophistication to be drinking lattes out of glasses with little napkins wrapped around them at Oxford 130. It was a Leederville institution but all "good" things must come to end and in this case it was replaced by something even better - Foam Coffee Bar. This cafe isn't bogged down with flyers of indi gigs and festivals, instead offering a fresh and bright place to enjoy just a coffee with your cycling buddies or breakfast with your yoga friends. After a walk around Lake Monger, Lisa and I were ready for a hot coffee and healthy but hearty breakfast. We took a table outside - prime for people watching of course. Prices range from $8 for the toast up to $22 for the full breakfast - eggs, roma tomato, roasted mushroom, foam chipolata, homemade baked beans, bacon, hash brown and toast. Both our eyes were drawn to the smashed avocado with feta, olive oil and pepitas ($14) but as we both started to look through the rest of the menu to pick a "contingency meal" we realised there was a notable selection of other fresh healthy options like homemade muesli with banana, mixed berries, nuts, yoghurt and honey ($9.50) or roasted mushrooms with garlic, rosemary, goat cheese and almond dukkah ($10.50) . The coffee is by Five Senses, the Dark Horse blend. It was a strong roast giving huge flavour to this expertly made cup of joe. Lisa said she loves the coffee at Foam because she doesn't have to ask for an extra shot to get the strength she likes. Don't be scared off by the strong flavour - it was smooth and treacly. Strong coffee isn't something to screw your nose up at if it's made well and this definitely was. Unfortunately Foam committed a cardinal sin and brought the coffee out well after the meals. It was delivered with an apology as a large group of cyclists had ordered before us and tied up the barista. I guess it's better to wait than be served up a rushed sub standard coffee! My bubble and squeak with chorizo, bocconcini and fried egg ($12.50) came as a pile of soft roasted winter vegetables that reminded me perfectly of the "last night's left overs" element of bubble and squeak. It was like mum had cooked too much at Sunday dinner and used the veges for breakfast - they always taste better the next day! Huge slices of spicy chorizo were generously mixed in with the dish but there was only a skerrick of bocconcini. It seemed a little disproportionate. The fried egg was crispy on the edges with a warm runny yolk perfect for mixing through with the soft veges.

Lisa ended up ordering the smashed avocado dish and she was not disappointed. The avocado was fresh with a tinge of tang from some well measured lemon juice. The pepitas added crunch and just the right amount of crumbly salty feta made for the perfect combination. Even though this dish was quite light it was surprisingly filling.

Foam Coffee Bar is a testament to Leederville's ever changing face. The service is friendly and the food is fresh, healthy and worth the visit for. Enjoy taking a seat outside and watch life go by; it won't even seem like you sitting right along busy Oxford st at Foam Coffee Bar. 130 Oxford St, Leederville http://www.foamcoffeebar.com.au Breakfast served weekdays 7am - 11am, weekends 7am - 2pm

Naked Degustation Wine Dinners

Liz — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:36:25 +0000

Winter is about to rear its ugly, icy head, but worry not because The Naked Fig (Swanbourne) will be hosting a series of five cosy wine dinners throughout the chilly months to help ward off the hibernal blues.

The Naked Fig’s degustation dinners will feature six signature dishes, matched with wine from some of Australia’s most acclaimed producers, costing $99 per head. From the big, ballsy, Barossa monsters to the elegance and poise of Margaret River, Naked Fig will be showcasing these region’s finest wines and complimenting them with perfectly paired dishes.

Think of the Fig as a vinotherapist with an endless prescription book; ready to treat your post-summer melancholy with heavy doses of Shirazepam and Chardonneine.

The events will be limited to 60 people, keeping it intimate and cosy with the fire blazing. Either the wine-maker or an ambassador from the winery will host each event and will speak about each wine as it is poured.

Dates of Naked Degustation Wine Dinners:

• 30th May – Howard Park, Margaret River

• 27th June – Grant Burge, Barossa Valley

• 25th July – Devil’s Lair, Margaret River

• 29th August – Miles From Nowhere, Margaret River

• 26th September – Penfolds, Barossa Valley

Bookings are required, phone 9384 1222.

Menu for the Howard Park Wine Dinner on Thursday 30th May

Head Chef: Chris May

On arrival: Jete Sparkling

Seared pork loin, almond crust, orange essence
2012 Howard Park Riesling

Mi-cuit salmon, salmon crackling, chive puree
2012 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc

Jerusalem artichoke risotto, sliced chestnuts, shitake, sesame
2011 Howard Park “Miamup” Chardonnay

Lamb breast cannelloni, home smoked tomato relish, zucchini crisps
2011 “Flint Rock” Pinot Noir

Beef fillet, pommes anna, jus
2010 Howard Park “Leston” Cabernet

Chris’s amaretto peaches
2012 Madfish Moscato

For more information, visit www.thefig.com.au

Good Food & Wine Show 2013

Liz — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:12:09 +0000

The Good Food & Wine Show is back for another year and is set to take your foodie experience to a new level! The three-day event from 19 – 21 July 2013, will feature some of Australia’s top chefs, non-stop cooking, many tastings, great local wine producers and the opportunity to be introduced to the latest and greatest gourmet produce from around the nation. The star line-up for 2013 includes celebrity chefs Pete Evans, Luke Nguyen, Miguel Mastre, Maggie Beer, Tobie Puttock, and Anna Gare, as they set to plate up some of the best dishes at the show’s Celebrity Theatre. This year also brings some exciting new interactive events to the menu, the Maggie Beer Morning Tea, Fisher & Paykel’s Yum Kitchen and the LifeStyle FOOD Chef’s Table.

Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, food and wine lovers will have the chance to explore new tastes and sample great quality local and national food and wine from over 150 exhibitors. Highlights of the 2013 Good Food & Wine Show include: Celebrity Theatre - BACK! 2013 brings a line-up of chefs from all over the country. Chefs ready to take to the stage include cooking icons Pete Evans, Maggie Beer, Miguel Mastre and Tobie Puttock. Celebrity Theatre features real chefs cooking real food without edits or re-shoots. You'll be up close and personal as they present an unforgettable blend of flavour, skill and entertainment. LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE so get in quick and book your ticket today. Riedel A+ Australian Wine Bar - NEW! Introducing the new Riedel A+ Australian Wine Bar. Enjoy masterclasses highlighting quality Australian wines, presented by some of the wine industry’s most reputable and knowledgeable characters. Fisher & Paykel’s Yum Kitchen - NEW! Like lime to a ceviche, Fisher & Paykel's YUM Kitchen will add that extra kick to your foodie weekend. Cook alongside dynamic demonstrators at the Good Food & Wine Show's first hands-on cooking experience, run by Australia's most-loved cooking schools. When you've finished in the kitchen, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour with a matched wine at the YUM Kitchen dining table. Cook, create, laugh, learn, nosh and toast all at the Fisher & Paykel YUM Kitchen. LifeStyle FOOD Chef’s Table - NEW! Designed for lovers of delicious food, specialty wines and a desire to learn from some of the world's best chefs, LifeStyle FOOD Chef's Table is a treat for the senses. You will enjoy three tasting dishes with paired wines from one of your favourite celebrity chefs in this intimate and interactive event. Plus you’ll leave with a generous LifeStyle FOOD goodie bag. VIP Packages - NEW! Tempt yourself with Good Food & Wine’s exclusive VIP packages. Ranging from $60 to $100, these passes are a fantastic way to experience all the show has to offer. They are also a great opportunity to entertain business associates and friends.

The Breakfast Confidential readers get $10 ticket discount!!

General Admin tickets are usually $36 but as dedicated readers of my site you can get $10 off! Use the code word BLOG and you can redeem you discounted tickets through the following link:

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=GOODFOODP&view=gfws

The discount applies to general admin tickets only.

Other tickets are available through Ticketek on 13 28 49 or from www.ticketek.com.au/goodfood GENERAL ADMISSION Adults $36.00 Concession $30.00 Children (12-17yrs) $28.00 Children under 12 FREE Show entry & Magazine bundle* $48.00 *4 month magazine subscription offer (Super Food Ideas or ABC delicious) VIP PACKAGES This year we are giving our Good Food & Wine lovers the chance to purchase VIP tickets. Each provides a unique foodie experience - all you need to do is choose one! Platinum Pass $100 includes: Entry to the Good Food & Wine Show A reserved seat in a Celebrity Theatre session Complimentary tasting glass Gift bag valued at $35 Access to the VIP Room including complimentary red, white sparkling wine & canapés Gold Pass $80 includes: Entry to the Good Food & Wine Show A reserved seat in a Celebrity Theatre session Gift bag valued at $35 Cheese & Wine Matching Class by Bruny Island Cheese & Qantas epiQure Wines Maggie Beer Pass $60 SOLD OUT Entry to the Good Food & Wine Show A reserved seat in a Maggie Beer Celebrity Theatre session Maggie Beer gift bag valued at $25 Bottle of wine

Taste Master of WA – Supporting Stephanie Wee

Liz — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:00:18 +0000

Stefanie Wee (www.thefavouredtable.com) was born and bred in Singapore - and like most Singaporeans, she grew up with a love for food, eating out, and all things spicy. She moved to Perth in 2010 for university, and fell in love with a country full of quality produce, amazing people, and beautiful sights. The 23-year-old decided to give up on a career back in Singapore to stay in Perth, and currently waitresses at hot new eating spot, Gordon Street Garage. Along with being an obvious breakfast lover, she has a passion for discovering all she can about food, and to meet people who have an inspiring passion for what they produce. She wants to tell stories about food – about shared meals, favourite restaurants, beloved family recipes, about how things like wine and yogurt and cheeses are made, and about the people who make the food that we eat.

Stefanie is currently one of the top 25 finalists to win Tourism Australia's Best Jobs in the World contest to eat and drink her way around Western Australia as the state's official Taste Master. Join The Breakfast Confidential and support her at facebook.com/thefavouredtable

Hardware Cafe

Liz — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:23:50 +0000

This is the newest cafe to open up in the northern beaches suburbs... you know those places we used to go on school holidays in the 80's that are now part of the metro area? What was an old hardware store has now been transformed by local chefs, Beth and Pascal, into a cafe at the small Quinns Rocks shopping area. In keeping with the theme, Hardware Cafe has toolboxes for cutlery, jars full of keys for table numbers and a feature wall of "tool shadows". Strangely their logo reminds me a little of the Torres Strait Island flag. I gave them a few weeks grace before visiting for a review - I really wanted this place to be good... these suburbs need it.

Andy and I walked in and were greeted by the beaming smile of one of the staff who said we could sit anywhere and order at the counter when we were ready. There are tables out the front, booths and a nice little courtyard at the back to choose from. I'm not sure how appealing it is to sit out the front facing the car park with hoards of people pulling in to buy their weekend paper but the court yard is a great outside alternative. The menu is basic but offers a lot of option with their "DIY breakfasts" where you can build your own breakfast just the way you like it. $2.70 each for bacon, sausage, egg or mushrooms; $1.70 each for beans, tomato, hashbowns, spinach or avocado; $3.20 for two slices of sourdough. Prices peak and a low $13.90 for a choice of two omelettes, eggs florentine or eggs benedict. The coffee used at Hardware is Fiori - a better than average brand of beans that can produce good coffee by a barista that knows their stuff. The coffee was surprising and admittedly I was expecting the worst - but this was creamy, smooth and at just the right temperature. Congratulations - best coffee in the area goes to Hardware Cafe! My omelette of tomato, spinach, mushrooms, shredded cheddar and herbs ($13.90) was more filling than egg. You know when you get an omelette and it's usually like an egg pancake with a sprinkling of filling the middle? Well this was the complete opposite. The egg could barely hold together the fresh chunks of tomato, crunchy spinach and soft mushroom. It wasn't too overloaded with cheese and made for a light non-greasy breakfast.

Andy went with the DIY breakfast, selecting bacon, eggs, hash brown and a sausage ($9.80). I hate eggs being cooked in rings, poach pods etc, it seems lazy and isn't the point of a fried egg to get the then crispy bits around the edge? Despite this, they were perfect with "just" done whites and warm runny yolks. The didn't scrimp on the bacon either making this well and truly worth every "under $10" cent. The BBQ sausage wasn't bad and what can you say about a packet hash bown? We know we all secretly love them - except when it's on an over priced breakfast.

Hardware Cafe isn't trying to be like one of the trendy cafe's in Mt Lawley or Leederville (and is not being reviewed in comparison), it is filling a gap in the area and offering up homestyle breakfast and good coffee at an extremely reasonable price. Other places I have reviewed are charging over $20 for the same thing these guys are charging around $13 for. It makes me even more annoyed about the time we payed over $24 for a breakfast of tinned beans and frozen hashbrowns at Penny Garden. I am so glad to welcome this cafe to the area - especially for their great coffee! Let's hope the locals help keep them alive.

Quinns Village Shopping Centre, 121 Quinns Rd, Quinns Rocks http://www.hardwarecafe.net.au/ Breakfast served all day from 7am week days & 8am weekends

Miss Kitty’s Saloon

Liz — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:53:51 +0000

I was surprised to learn that a terrible Beaufort st "lifer" (Avenue Nine) was now gone and replaced by a trendy new "thang" - Miss Kitty's Saloon. I'm not the first person to say this and I won't be the last but walking into this venue is really like walking into a saloon with it's swinging wooden doors, rocking chair and retro bits and bobs. The music playing is very cool - Pulp-Fiction cross Dirty Dancing-esque soundtracks - loved it.

They serve up American and Canadian cuisine so expect to find a menu filled with breakfast dishes that are just a little bit different. Prices range from $3.50 for a bloody mary oyster up to $19 for either chicken and waffles with sweet chilli or house smoked trout with beets, poached egg and goats curd. (see... told ya). What I immediately love about this menu is that everything is under $20. This is virtually unheard of in this area! Sarah and I ordered our coffee's straight away and we were a little surprised at how Sarah's latte came out - in a mug with the teaspoon in it. Sarah straight away gushed at how she loved it! "So American!". The coffee used is of course Five Sense. It had a beautiful rich flavour and perfect temperature. We even ordered another each. We also ordered a cheeky bloody mary to have with our breakfast! I saw the charcoal tamarind pork ribs ($14.50) on the menu and straight away knew it was going to be my breakfast. It came on a bed of yogurt and sweet creamed corn with fresh cut chilli throughout. The ribs had that tell tale charcoal flavour mixed with the unique sweet and sour taste of the tamarind. They were smokey, sticky and wonderful! I forgot my table manners half way through and picked the ribs up to eat with my hands - it's the only way!

Like my obsession with chilli, Sarah has an obsession with chorizo. Her breakfast of chorizo, egg and sweet potato hash ($16) did not come out as expected. The "hash" was slices of sweet potato in panko crumbs. Sarah tries to order gluten free so this wasn't as described, which was a little disappointing. Chorizo was the star of the dish - soft and smokey, it was like slicing through butter. One more slice of it would have been perfect. A slow cooked egg sat plumply on the plate, waiting for it's yolk to be burst. I liked how not even the toast broke character for this dish. It had the flavour of camping, like it had been cooked over charcoals by someone rugged up sitting on a wooden log.

The service at Miss Kitty's is very attentive and friendly. I felt like they weren't going to be the type of staff to have the "yeah.. we're f***ing good" attitude and then rely on being "the in thing" to bring them customers. It is really worth a visit to get a bit of Mt Lawley trend and Inglewood prices. Don't be afraid to come and dine hans solo because there is a bar to eat at - perfect for singles. Thank you Miss Kitty's Saloon for bringing interesting food back to the Inglewood end of Beaufort St!

882 Beaufort St, Inglewood Miss Kitty's Saloon Facebook Breakfast served weekends 8.27am - 2.57pm

Darlington Estate

Liz — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:56:27 +0000

Most of us love beach views or river views when we go out for breakfast, but what about a view of our picturesque hills? Darlington Estate has recently branched into the breakfast market and after a drive through the winding roads you arrive at a view that will take your breath away. As Andy and I were seated Missy Higgins' "Ten Days" played the chorus - "you're still the only one that feels like home", which made me feel reminiscent about growing up in the hills. There is definitely something about Darlington Estate that is homely to me.

I was surprised that our coffee order was taken as we sat down, this is something "restaurants" usually don't get right. I was keen toorder a glass of champagne as well but this is only available after 10am (yep...we waited and we ordered on the dot of 10am). The coffee was quite mild and didn't have as much robustness as I would like but it was at a perfect temperature and had a creamy texture. The menu is seasonal with a heavy focus on the use of local produce - prices top out at $22 for the full breakfast - bacon, sausage, egg, confit tomato, garlic & herb mushroom, wilted spinach, toast and home made baked beans. There is also a kids menu with a choice of raisin toast ($3), pancakes or bacon and egg roll ($8). At first glance Andy and I were wondering - was this going to be another restaurant that excels at lunch and dinner but fails at breakfast? I have seen this too many times to not be suspicious of fancy words used to describe boring food.... I hoped that I would be proved wrong. The swiss brown mushrooms ($18) came as three rustic piles on top of seed laden bread with bright red harissa making for a tangy, hot bed. Enoki mushrooms added to the tang with pungent goats curd rounding out the flavour. Mixed throughout the mushrooms was little flecks of chilli and pesto giving both colour and a bit of Italian flair. It was meant to come with Swiss chard, which unfortunately was no where to be seen - a small mark on a otherwise perfect dish.

Andy ordered the full breakfast with his eggs "over easy". He rarely orders his eggs like this because they usually don't get it right, instead serving up a solidly cooked egg. These guys got it oh so right. Browned on both sides with a warm runny yolk in the middle - perfect. A quality pork sausage was used that was juicy and meaty, definitely from a good butcher as getting these types of sausages in Australia can be hard. Grilled tomato, normally an awkwardly boring addition on any full breakfast was actually made interesting with a herby pesto crust on top. Homemade beans were the star of this breakfast - a sweet tomato chutney flavour with a mix of chickpeas, kidney beans and white beans. This full breakfast was anything but a failure.

Even though it is "just breakfast", the service is still at top quality fine dining level. The staff are passionate about where they work and they can't do enough to make sure the customers are happy - I'd almost forgotten what this kind of service was like. I recommend thinking outside of the usual cafe strips and beach side haunts and head for the hills for a breakfast that's worth the drive.

1495 Nelson Rd, Darlington http://www.darlingtonestate.com.au/ Breakfast served weekends only, 8:30am - 10:30am

Scott O’Sullivan

Liz — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:09:33 +0000

Position: Chef Owner Where: Red Cabbage Tell us a bit about your restaurant Red Cabbage. Red Cabbage was born on July 5^th 2007. We serve modern dishes with a focus on Western Australian produce. How did you decide on the career of being a chef? It was my mother’s choice at first to go to catering college in the UK. After that I fell in love with the profession. You were named Chef of the Year in the 2013 Good Food Guide – how did that feel? I was very humbled by the award and there are a lot of better chefs out there doing some amazing things. The team at Red cabbage have worked very hard and also deserve the recognition. What’s the one cooking tip you wish someone had told you sooner? How to use Sous Vide machines earlier in my career instead of half way through. What do you never fail to order if it’s on the menu when you dine out? Chocolate desserts. I’m addicted to chocolate! What did you have for dinner on your last day off? Smoked chicken and roast pumpkin salad. What’s your favourite place in Perth to eat out and why? Divido - it's close to home, relaxed and the food never fails. The best thing about the Perth food scene? It’s growth. It’s hard to keep up with all the places opening at the moment. The worst? Boring menus that appear at some of the above. Where do you recommend for fresh produce? The Boatshed in Cottesloe has everything when in season from finger limes and truffles to aged beef. Do you have a favourite breakfast? I’m English, so a bacon butty with HP sauce has to be my fave! Give us one “egg” related tip? Before cooking your eggs leave them out to get to room temperature. Do you have a tip for customers to improve their dining experience? Come into restaurants relaxed and treat the wait staff like you would want to be treated. This goes a long way and I’m sure your experience would benefit. Tell us about your recipe? I used to eat these on my breaks in England of course! It’s a bacon, egg, sausage and tomato butty. Red Cabbage’s "Best" brekky sandwich

Red Cabbage’s “Best” Brekky Sandwich

Liz — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:06:02 +0000

Ingredients

2 rashers of bacon (preferably speck)
1 free range egg
1 Cumberland sausage
1 - 2 heirloom tomatoes
Fresh bread or bread roll
HP sauce

Method Cook and combine! In this recipe, please source top quality smoked bacon, free range eggs, Cumberland sausage and heirloom tomatoes and the freshest bread possible.

Introducing… Grand Cucina + GIVEAWAY!!

Liz — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:35:32 +0000

GrandCucina.com is Australia's newest online destination that brings the best professional-grade kitchen and dining products to your home. They home deliver products by mostly European and Australian brands that are used by top chefs in leading restaurants, bars and cafes. In the past such products were hard to find for the home — or at least, in home-friendly quantities. Which got them thinking: what's stopping them from creating the same memorable experiences in our very own home kitchens and dining rooms? You've tasted the food created using these products, sipped on wine poured into unique glassware and delighted in the entertainment, aesthetic and atmosphere these very items help to engineer. With over 5000 products available on their site, everything you need for that delicious occasion is now in the one place! Dedicated to the aspiring chefs, the inspired recreational cooks, the entertainers, the kitchens both large and small, a table for two or one for 20. GrandCucina.com are gladly serving you with the best tools of the trade.

Prize Giveaway!!

The lovely people at Grand Cucina are giving away a set of four funky looking Crumple Cups to one lucky Breakfast Confidential reader who can answer the below question: What 3 colours is the Crumple Cup available in? Send your name, address and answer to liz@breakfastconfidential.com.au Entries close Friday 26th April at 12pm Only open to WA residents, winner will be notified by email. Good luck!