Sayers has a sister and she is good!

Gosh guys I'm sorry it has been so long between posts. One would think I have stopped eating for the last 3 months but we all know that it's an impossible thought. My problem is that I find places I really love and tend to go back to them all the time, which leads me to Sayers Sister.

The original Sayers in Leederville has long been one of my favourite breakfast hangouts. The coffee is great (paramount if you are me), the food is delicious and the decor welcoming. The new location in Northbridge is no exception. It's bright and airy and dare I say, nicer than its predecessor.

I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was buzzing with people and wonderful dishes heading out to their hungry destinations. Those who know me know that I love to eat breakfast at any time so I ordered a dish that had a bit of everything. One thing that I really like about both the Sayers' is that if you don't want something that is part of the dish, they will often ask you if you want to substitute it with something else, or more of something you already have. This is a winner in my books.

Yes I ate all of it :)
I even asked a lovely friend to join me for coffee after and I managed to polish off a serving of the best caramel slice I have ever eaten. Sorry there is no pic but it kind of disappeared.

I wish I lived in a place that allowed for me to have a great food bench and an eclectic collection of furniture and knick-knacks  all around. Oh and cakes and lollies that look pretty and are always there for my guests to eat. But lucky for me there are places like this that I can visit and I don't have to do the dishes :)

Not your ordinary food court fare....

I must say that I haven't been going out to eat much lately, or if I do it's somewhere I have already told you about. I don't know if it is because of the colder climate or because dinner parties have been my latest "thing"

Regardless of the weather, I still like to shop or look around the shopping centres at the very least.
Do you remember 10+ or so years ago when so many of us went to the markets on the weekend? There were the Subi railway and Pavilion markets, the Midland markets, the Freo markets and the smaller ones scattered in between. I loved looking at all the quirky stalls and the atmosphere was always friendly and laid back. Thank goodness the Freo markets are still there to keep the tradition going.

So that brings me to the new Coventry Markets in Morley. I have been there several times and always manage to find something to eat but I really wish there were more interesting things to buy.
It seems so sterile compared to the vibe of the oldies but I think that that is because it looks like a big warehouse. There is an excellent coffee place, a great alterations shop and a wonderful cafe called Sevim's which is on the list of my favourite food places.

You know how you can tell if a restaurant is good because of how traditional the food is? Well this place is always full of people from ALL nationalities because it is amazing, inexpensive and the people who work there are really nice.

This is a zucchini stuffed with rice and mince, pilaf and chicken wings. Soul food cooked the way hubby's momma does it. You can get stuffed eggplant, peppers, gozleme, beans and things that make your tummy and face smile. Carnivores or veggos rejoice because there is something yummy for everyone!
Now I just go to Coventry to eat. If I find something to buy it's an added bonus :)

Happy Meals :)

Gosh I'm so sorry that it's been so long! I hope you have all been eating delicious things and if not, telling everyone about it.
Now I don't normally go out of my way to eat Chinese food as I always used to end up with some sort of tummy achey thing or worse, trapped in the toilet for a few wonderful hours in the middle of the night. I actually hadn't thought about this place in quite a while but it's been around for years, has a kitchen that is very clean and the food comes out super fast.
Natey got all excited cos he thought we were going to Macca's when I mentioned Happy Meals but it's actually a restaurant across from the Park Centre on Albany Highway.

In my opinion they make the best San Choy Bow I have ever eaten in Perth and they serve it for you using a fork and spoon scissored together in one hand which I have tried to master and miserably failed at. It comes in a hoisin sauce coated lettuce leaf and there is enough for myself, hubby and the offspring for an entree.

The squid comes out piping hot and seasoned perfectly. It's tender, the batter is light and the salt doesn't overpower the dish. I didn't mention that the people working there shook their heads when we ordered but we managed to eat all the things :)

This szechuan chicken is wonderful- the sauce is sweet, the onions cooked till tender and the chicken is the yummy soft thigh that complements saucy dishes so well.

This is beef fried rice and is so simple but one of my favourite things from Happy Meals. Pretty much just egg, rice, spring onion and beef but it's delicious.

Have you tried anything there that you like? If so, please let me know. I tend to order the same things all the time....

Pasta Pass!

This is the post that directly contradicts the "Pasta Fail" one I did a little while ago....
As you know every Wednesday after my class in Freo we look for a decent place to have pasta and pizza (carbs=metabolism and all that). My brother-in-law has been raving about a little place in Salter Point but because quite often my hubsy and his brother have differing opinions when it comes to just about EVERYTHING we hadn't tried it up until last week.
All I have to say is OMFG!!! I thought Spaghi and Sandrino's were good but this little treasure, tucked into suburbia is my new all-time favourite place and I can't wait to go there again tonight!

Raktacino- how humble this place appears to be until you start to eat and your mouth explodes with party-like sensations! The young man behind the counter is very well spoken and considerate which is also a bonus.

I like to try the chili mussels when we go to a new place because if they are good, to me it's a sign that there are great things to come. Also, I eat alot so pretty much go through three courses.
The perfect amount of chili/tomato balance- not too hot and a pleasure to slurp up with the bread.

Pizza with tomato, pepperoni and baked capsicum. The crust was thin, the toppings fresh and it tasted like it was made with love.

Natey's kid's pizza. Delicious.

Now this bolognese is one of the best I have ever eaten. Traditionally cooked with a touch of sweetness
from the carrot. Not too saucy and nothing to add, not even salt.

I really wanted to try the dessert pizza but the other two weren't willing to help me out at this stage so I settled for the lemon meringue.

Funnily enough this is the only thing I can pick on and it wasn't made in house. The presentation was great but I love my lemon meringue and this just wasn't tangy enough for me. I like sour that slaps you in the face.

Looking around, it seems that this place is a favourite of the people in the area, tables were reserved and there were family groups with kids happy to play with toys on the floor. All the other dishes that were served looked equally delicious to mine- the steaks are huge as was the parma. I wish I had brought my own wine too.

I don't normally do addresses but have to in this case:
16 Letchworth Centre Avenue, SALTER POINT

Do it- your taste buds will thank both of us :)

Degusted...

Funny..... I sent this blog to the City of Perth and it wasn't published. It amazes me that they can refer to me as someone who "tells it like it is" but the minute I say something that isn't complimentary it's nowhere to be seen.....

On Wednesday (28th) night I took a break with my hubby as we were lucky enough to be given a degustation from the people of Eat Drink Perth. It was at The Quarter on Hay which was very exciting as we live in the city so catching the bus was the best option, even if we were a tad overdressed to be doing so. But hey, who can argue with free transport almost to your door when you are tanked?

The initial meet and greet was lovely and the venue had a warm and ambient feel. I have never had the pleasure of dining at the Quarter before as I guess there is a stigma of being in a place where the city workers go to unwind after their day but this was not the case it all. It was quiet, welcoming and dickhead free...

 

After being seated at a lovely table we ordered a espresso martini and a "Bubbagabooze" which is a bubble gum flavoured vodka party in your mouth. I am an espresso martini junkie and the little touches of chocolate liquer and cherry liquer in this one made it one of my top 5 favourites in Perth. And that's saying alot!

The degustation was called the "Clos Henri Wine Dinner" and comprised of 6 courses with matching wines from the Clos Henri vineyards in the Loire Valley of France and the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

The first course or "Amuse bouche" was a small glass with a pea soup or puree, flavoured with scallop and a foam on the top. I think this was a perfect start to the meal although I thought that it was a bit heavy for the Cremant Brut (bubbly) that went with it. I never do soup with champagne. Personally I would have enjoyed them separately but having said that, hubby thought they were great together.

The second course was a salad of sauteed sweetbreads with yabbies, a quails egg (so cute) and toasted brioche. Let me say that I NEVER go out of my way to eat sweetbreads but seriously, these were so well flavoured that I think I could feed them to my 10 year old son and he would actually eat them. The sherry jus they were with was perfect. It was accompanied by the Petit Clos Sauv Blanc which hubby said was lovely but I cannot comment fairly as I am not a white wine person. Having said that, if I found one that was outstanding I would happily drink it. This one just didn't change that view.

The third course was pan fried scallops with potato puree, vanilla and tomato compote and fried capers accompanied by a Clos Henri Sauv Blanc and Henri Bourgeois Sancerre, both '10. The scallops were cooked perfectly but I could not see where the vanilla and tomato compote fit into this dish, or rather the vanilla. This was known as a "vertical" wine tasting which is a glorified way of saying that you get to try two at the same time. Neither of them swayed me though...

The fourth course was probably my favourite of the evening- the orange glazed duck breast, confit duck salardaise, spinach and fig wine jus. It was initially supposed to be accompanied by the Petit Clos Pinot but was switched with the Clos Henri Pinot which I think was a great move because this duck needed a red with legs- tender, succulent and delicious as it was. Thank God for red wine!

The fifth course was something close to my heart as my hubby is greek/turkish- grilled haloumi with sun blushed tomatoes, pita croutons, green beans, shaved fennel and wild thyme and honey dressing, accompanied with the Petit Clos Pinot. Let me say that the Clos Pinot '08 and Petit Clos Pinot '10 are both outstanding reds and would be welcome in my wine rack anytime. Even though they were switched for the 2 courses, I think the Clos would have been perfect with the haloumi dish as well. Or maybe I just wanted to drink more of it but who doesn't like wine and cheese together? My only pick on this dish is I found the sun blushed tomatoes to be a bit overpowering although calling them "sun blushed" when all they are is semi dried is amusing. But as with all the other couses, the individual elements are separated beautifully so you can forego one thing if it is not to your liking without compromising another.

Last but not least the sixth course was the rocky road parfait with peanut shortbread. So-so and the presentation was not there for me. I am a dessert person and if I order one at a lovely dinner, it needs to say "eat me". It was accompanied by the Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes '02. Magic in a glass and made up for how the dish looked.

I really do think that this was one of the better degustations I have had in Perth and would recommend it for it's diversity, presentation and taste combinations. Order your wines separately though, so you are assured that you will have something you like with every course cos' it's kind of a downer when you don't.

I love them as much as Homer loves Duff.

Gosh has it been 2 weeks already? Sorry guys but the world of Feisty has been fairly hectic but what else is new?
Anyway, seeing as I spent the last 2 entries ripping the shit out of a couple of places, I thought I would enlighten you on my 3 favourite cafes in Perth at the moment (I am a self proclaimed cafe whore so I may find something new and awe inspiring tomorrow). But for now you can just humour me :)

1. Infinity Cafe in East Perth- I happen to live within stumbling distance so am very grateful that the coffee (Lavazza) is made by people who actually put some love into their work and the owner Johnny is so anal about his food that I pretty much love everything I eat there.
Have I mentioned before how much it irritates me that I can't eat breakfast at the time of day I want to eat it at? Well at Infinity they serve it from when they open until they close which is a win in my books.

Ah my perfect latte- not bitter, not too hot  and with a tree on it.

The big breakfast OF CHAMPIONS. Eggs, hash browns, sausages, mushrooms, eggs any way you want them and those beans. Sure they make your butt burp but those beans are homemade and are so worth the couple of hours of discomfort for others.

This is a toasted bagel with spinach, ricotta, poached eggs and bacon. Anyone who teams cheese with a bagel is winning in my opinion.

I've just shown you the breakfast food- Johnny is also a pastanazi so your lunch is going to be outstanding.

2. The Merchant in Mount Lawley- what a winner. The wine list is excellent and they have the best stuff that you can share with a friend (or not in my case). Just kidding I did share these fabulous mushrooms with wild rice and more ricotta. And that salad has candied walnuts in it.

The coffee is also very good and I love how you can sit inside, look around the store to see if anything takes your fancy or you can sit out the front and enjoy your wine and good company while watching dickheads break the 50kmp speed limit in their Ferraris.

3. Sayers in Leederville- all I can say is that if you haven't tried this cafe yet, well don't even talk to me! It would have to be my favourite breakfast place ever and yes I will break my no eating before 1pm rule to go there. The downside is that they do have specific times for brekky but the upside is is if you wait for lunch, it's just as good!

This is braised lamb, date chutney and buckwheat salad. You wouldn't think that the grilled orange has a place but when you eat it all together your mouth rejoices in the symphony of unusual combinations that Manu would say are "a marriage in heaven".

This is duck and pistachio tart with julienne salad. Now I believe that you don't make friends with salad but I will eat anything that is julienned. Only because I can't be arsed doing it myself. I try not to go near knives in general :)

Well there you have it! Do yourself a favour and try these places if you haven't already. And no there aren't any royalties here, otherwise I wouldn't have used profanity. Or would I?????

Pasta FAIL

As I have probably told you before, Wednesday night is pasta/family night. I teach a class in Freo and on the way home we try to find some tasty pastas and pizzas.
Apparently Il Caio is supposed to be a the "hidden gem" of the pasta world in Applecross but all I can say is wow, that was crap!
Before I tell you about the food I have to describe the family sitting at the table next to us because I believe that no matter where you are from, table manners are universal.
A middle aged lady was there with her daughter and two sons. I would say aged 8, 10 and 12 respectively. When we sat down I noticed that the little girl and younger boy were on a PS and the older boy seemed to be attached to his Samsung smartphone. There was no conversation with each other. They ordered pizza and pasta and when their meal came out it was too hot so they continued on with their devices. The mum had a bowl of veggies which she ate with her mouth open, and when the oldest child could finally eat his pasta, he did so by putting his mouth right down near his bowl and ripping the excess pasta off with his hand, all the while still scrolling through his phone with his other hand. At one point he wasn't concentrating on his eating and pasta went all over his phone which he then blamed on his mum because it was too hot. The little girl ate her pasta by shovelling it into her mouth with a fork and then cramming the rest in with her hand. Then a piece of cake came out for the middle son for his birthday and he picked the whole thing up on his fork  and ate it like that.
I didn't really expect dinner and a show but by golly I got one. I call it "Etiquette 101 and the disappearance of table manners" Unbelievable!!!
What can I say that is nice about the food.....
We ordered three dishes and I can happily say one of them was really good. It was half a free range chicken with sort of Portuguese spices and traditional spaghetti bolognaise. The chicken was beautifully cooked and the pasta was the way it should be. And it was great that for an extra $3 you could get a side pasta for many of the meals.

Most of our friends know how much my hubby loves pizza. When we have indulgence days it will always be his "go to" food of choice. This is one with prosciutto, mushrooms and olives. SPANISH olives- you know the ones that are cheap and have no flavour at all. For God's sake if you are going to claim to be authentic please don't scrimp, use kalamata olives because no good Italian pizza maker should use anything less!

And finally the worst dish of the day goes to this prawn pasta that claimed to have olive oil and chili. The problem was, the pasta wasn't drained properly so any olive oil, chili or taste got washed away into the "soup" at the bottom. This has got to be one of the most bland pastas I have eaten in forever (including food hall pasta).

I find it humorous when someone comes out and asks you how your meal was and the way their face changes when you tell them it was below average at best. Then they try to make excuses for it. All I can say is that if you are in Applecross and think that this is the best the area can offer, expand your horizons cos there are much better places just down the road and you shouldn't settle for average either....

No No NO!

I have been putting off writing this blog as it is about a disappointing dining experience but I guess they can't all be good can they?

We were in Leederville a couple of weeks ago and being Sunday afternoon (pigout day) I was notably starving as usual. What I seriously hate about Perth is that if you are in between "normal" mealtimes you can't get anything substantial. 3pm is obviously coffee and cake time to everyone else but my clock works differently so I wanted lunch.

As the Sayers lunch was well and truly over we went across the road to Duende as they were doing their paella thing with the big pan outside the restaurant and cool tunes pumping from a DJ dude. So far so good.

We went in and were told that paella and a few of the nibbly sides were the only thing on offer at that time so being part Spanish and a sucker for paella goodness I wanted to get some in me.

I asked for a cider at the bar and was handed the bottle. I don't do my cider from the bottle so asked for a glass with ice. Out comes a tiny tumbler. Obviously the bar guy doesn't drink cider so I asked for the biggest glass they have. It didn't help the taste one bit. Sometimes I wish I was a beer drinker cos it would be a whole bunch easier but that will happen when hell freezes over.

I have to tell you that I have been spoilt with amazing paella in my life. My sister makes the best one I have ever tried and I remember people coming over to her house when I was younger to get lessons on how to make it themselves it was THAT good. I wish Duende would employ her so they could learn what a decent one tastes like. The rice was gluggy, there was none of the crispy semiburnt crust on the bottom and all I could sense was heat but no flavour. There should be a balance of flavours from the seafood, the smoked paprika, the veggies and stock. Not a mess of mass produced whatever it was. And please, with so many staff on for the day they should come to our table to talk to us and not yell at us from behind the bar. 

I think Duende tries to hide behind their name which is obviously "in" right now but that doesn't and shouldn't ever make up for food that isn't up to scratch. It should be the best because they are who they are. Now where's my sis at? :p

You simply MUST try this!

I have mentioned before that my all time favourite cocktail is made by my friend Theo who is one of the Managers at MUST Wine Bar. Let me refresh your memory. Gosh I would kill for one right now...

Last Saturday night I was all dressed up after hosting one of my Burlesque High Teas and husby had just deposited the offspring at Grandma's so we decided to go out for a nice dinner. We tried calling Pata Negra and Bar One but last minute attempts at these places don't really cut it which I completely understand. At the very least I vowed to get my hands around a lychee martini and we would order from the bar side of MUST.

Happily we scored a table in the restaurant and proceeded to have one of the best dinners I have had in a while. I must at this point apologise for my pictures as it was very dark and the trusty old iPhone can only do so much. BTW I hate flash and will always shoot in available light as first option but I digress.

This is a chorizo sausage that is on the bar menu but we asked if we could do a sneaky and have it in the restaurant. I was so consumed with trying to get a photo of it that the first one ended up on my lap and the floor. Thank God for heavy napkins and staff who swooped in and picked it up before I could blink. They should play cricket for Australia.
I love the way it was cooked, how it was presented and the generous portion.

Now this pasta would rival the one I posted earlier in taste but it is also the second most expensive pasta I have ever bought after the one from the Rockpool (which I unfortunately will never have again now that I have tried this). It's angel hair pasta with blue manna crab, tomato, chili, basil cream and 34' south organic olive oil. This is a main that we shared as entree.
This pasta is heaven on a plate and if I had dropped this I probably would have tried to exercise the 3 second rule. I NEED more.

Not being ashamed of being a self-proclaimed weekend carnivore, my first choice in meaty goodness is always lamb. This is herb and macadamia crusted lamb loin with Paris mash, braised red cabbage and madeira jus. I am in love. The lamb served medium rare just melts in your mouth and the flavours of the cabbage, mash and jus medley are rich and gorgeous. This is a dish that has been well thought out on all levels and I can't think of anything that could improve it.

Last but certainly not least is the warm chocolate brownie with salted caramel icecream and malted anglaise. Simply put it's brownie, icecream and vanilla custard. And it is ALL perfect.
I think the hardest thing about going back to Must will be to not order all the things I ate all over again because I know how much I love them. But I have faith that if I do stray that everything else will be just as delicious.
And do order from the extensive wine menu as well- I had a Coriole red with the lamb and was recommended the perfect sticky to go with dessert. They know their shizz THANK GOD!

A battle of the pasta Gods....

Any of my close friends can tell you that my carbohydrate of choice will always be pasta. It's the healthiest type for me, it tastes freakin fantastic and I never, ever get sick of it.

Every Wednesday evening I teach a lovely corporate Zumba class in Fremantle so hubsy and the offspring come with me for the drive and we have a family dinner afterwards. It's a tradition I love.
Two weeks ago we went to our favourite pasta joint in Freo- Sandrino's. It's been there as long as I can remember and so far has never disappointed. But writing about food means that I need to stray out of my comfort zone and start to make some comparisons. No, I am not going out of my way to eat crappy pasta just to blow smoke up the bum of my faves which is why I have chosen to compare Sandrino's to Spaghi which also has a great name in the Pasta World.

I like to sit outside at Sandrino's- it's great to be able to watch the world go by and I think it has a very different feel to the atmosphere inside the restaurant. The staff are nice but in our case they didn't communicate to each other when we added to our order so Natey had to wait quite a long time for his pizza which they had initially cancelled.

First up we ordered the Pizza Bianca which is pretty hard to get wrong. It's just a basically rock salt, rosemary and garlic on a pizza base. Delicious!

Being a parent has definite advantages when it comes to being able to order off the kiddie menu.
We get to taste things and pay much less for them and pretend that Natey just eats abnormally large
amounts of food.

A pretty looking Hawaiian and one with bacon, olives and mushrooms. I have to tell you that my other half is very,very picky when it comes to pizza. They must be cooked in a woodfired oven and the base must be thin. He doesn't do takeout pizza and the thought of a deep pan or stuffed crust makes him gag.
I am not so picky- sometimes takeout is just more convenient but I do know the difference. Sandrino's do a fabulous job and had I not had more food on the way, I could have happily had one of each type on the kiddie menu- with hubsy's help of course ;)

Next we had mussels and pasta to share:

I like chili mussels that have a flavour that slaps you in the face as if to say "I'm here!" but although these were pleasant, I didn't get that sensation. The flavours didn't seem to harmonise. Sure there was tomato and chili and salt and sauce but it wasn't one that you look forward to slurping up with your bread while the juicy goodness drips off your chin.

Lastly here is a pasta with sausage, chili, olives topped with pesto and ricotta.
The idea looked great but again it just didn't seem to gel. I think there are too many elements in this dish. The chili was intense and I had to pick alot of it out. I loved the sausage and olives but I don't think the ricotta and pesto were completely necessary. Maybe they are there to act as a buffer for the flavours underneath but for my taste, if they had halved the amount of chili and perhaps served the toppings on the side with an option of having shaved parmesan as well, it would have been much better.

I love Sandrino's and just need to go back to the normal things I order. Pizza and bolognese FTW.

Last Wednesday we went to Spaghi which is on our way home from Fremantle. They don't take bookings which is inconvenient on the weekends but if you go after they open (around 5.30/6pm) it's much easier to get a table. They are also BYO. The location is right on Canning Hwy so if you are unsuccessful and have to wait, that's where you do it- in full view of everyone driving by. My cons end there.

OMG the bolognese! Cooked with love, full of flavour and I want one as I type this. The large portion was more than enough for Natey (thank goodness) and if it pleases him, we know we're on a good thing. Honestly I can't fault it. And that sauce is why you have bread in a basket.

This party in my mouth is currently my favourite pasta in all of Perth. It's a house specialty- home made linguine pasta served with chili, garlic, black pepper, evoo and fresh porcini mushrooms in a light cream sauce. My veggie friends so need to try this. Everything works so well together and you don't get the heavy feeling that many get from a creamy sauce.

This is all we ordered along with some fresh bread and butter. The serving sizes are ample and although the price is up there on my pasta scale, the quality is amazing.
I like the fitout in Spaghi too- it's neat with neutral colours and lovely ambient lighting.

There you go Peg- I hope this helps xxx

Hangin round the CNR....

I have been going to the CNR for a little while now and can totally vouch for their coffee, but last weekend I was with my hubby and son and being time to eat, we decided to order something more substantial. It was around 3pm on the Sunday so we took advantage of the "Afternoon" menu.

Hubby and I have varied taste so we tend to order meals and swap them over half way so we don't miss out on tasting something delicious. On this day I wanted to eat both of them!

I ordered the Chicken Korma served on steamed rice with mango chutney and pappadums. I love it when a cafe gives you a choice of an entree or main size- normally I go straight for the biggest serve but the staff told me the entree size was more than enough. And they were right!

Now I'm a sucker for presentation- I believe that food should be served on whatever makes it visually appealing and easier to eat from. My chicken korma came in a deep bowl with a wider top so the curry and rice stayed where they should, and there was ample room for the pappadums to rest without them getting soggy. The chicken itself was moist and

tender with just enough spices to enhance the flavour but not overpower the dish. The rice was perfectly cooked and the pappadums crisp. Even people who don't normally eat curry should try this- it would be an excellent entry level for a first curry experience.

My hubby ordered the Pork Belly served on braised bacon and cabbage with creamy mash and roasted apple. Wow is all I can say. 

The pork was cooked to perfection and the cabbage and bacon together were a marriage made in heaven- smoky flavours with golden sauteed cabbage and the mash was worthy of something a mom would make. Normally I eat pork with apple sauce but to have the apple roasted and to be able to cut into that semi-crunch was the perfect contrast to the mash and cabbage/bacon.

And last but not least, my son's fish and chips. I don't really have much faith that something that has been around for so long can have the capacity to be different in some way but those chips are really something. I think it's the fact that they are hand cut with their skins on and cooked till golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside will make me come back for more. The fish itself was golden and crunchy- the only thing I would pick on is that I found the batter to be a bit thick and I think my son thought so too as he left a good part of it on his plate minus the fish from inside it.

Together with our meals and drinks, there was a good amount of change from $50.00!

I love how the CNR Cafe not only has some of the friendliest staff around, but the owners actually think about their food. It's not just assembled on a plate, every stage of the meal seems to be thought through and then made with love. It looks great, it tastes fantastic and because the owners and their family are always at the CNR, you can be assured that they will listen and put into consideration any suggestions that are made.

BUFFET is not a dirty word..

Actually, next to the word "cookie" I think it's one of my favourites in the english language! I even have "buffet pants" which expand in conjunction with my tummy after meals.

It was another birthday on Saturday night and when anyone asks me where to eat for any special occasion my answer is and will always be "Hyatt Buffet!".

Fortunately I live across the road so can walk there and roll home which in this case was more of a stagger, bent over hunch-like as I had once again, outdone myself.

There are stations at the Cafe Hyatt- each one filled with delectable morsels and representing each course. The first one has cold meats, pate, caesar salad fixings, cheese and all the things to eat cheese with and seafood. Did I mention it was all you can eat?
I had a plate of cheeses, crackery things, raisins and pate. Then I had two plates of what is pictured above.

This is the hot food station with (from left to right) pizza, potatoes, ratatouille, goulash, soup, steak, lamb, chicken, pasta, vegetables, more vegeatables, roast, and breads. With all the accompanying sauces and gravies of course. I had two large plates full.

And last but certainly not least is my favourite station- desserts. Even I can't remember everything that's on it but it's all delicious. It all comes in miniature so you can try everything if you have room.

They only have small plates at the dessert station but that's not good enough for me so I normally get
a dinner plate and fill it up. Here we have mango pudding, creme brulee, lemon meringue, semolina cake and the best bread and butter pudding in Perth IMHO. That's because it's made with croissants ;)
I think I decided to eat everything that was orange, yellow or brown in colour.
Dessert was my sixth plate for the evening and by that time I was struggling to breathe so called it quits. The Cafe at The Hyatt on a Saturday is $68 per head but if you have my appetite, you definitely get your moneys' worth!

For the ladies who had heard about how much I can eat but didn't believe it I'm very happy to have enlightened you :)

Happy Birthday CDP xxx