Coffee, Bagels and Hazardous Desserts.

Walk down King Street in the city and you'll find yourself in the heart of Perth City's luxury shopping district. Once you are done perusing the leather and fine fashion goods on sale, walk down the street towards Wellington and you'll discover some recent additions to the Perth restaurant and bar scene. There is the whiskey specialty bar, Varnish on King, the American inspired establishment, Old Faithful and of course today's feature, La Veen Coffee and Kitchen. Situated on the corner of King Street and Wellington Street, its in prime location for many a city hustler to bypass and grab a coffee on the go or a cold drip coffee if you have the time.

Today my fellow diner is a somewhat mirror image of myself. She also finds it hard to convince people she is not lying when she is in fact meeting someone with the same name/age and who works in the same profession who also has the same day off. 

We totter down King St and encounter the sound of drills and renovations and peer into the right of its current side entrance and see extensive works going on for expansion of La Veen's current premises. 

Coffee Grinders and Cold Drip.

The interior is all old fashioned brick and mixed timber shades which I love. The staff are busy churning out coffee as we grab a clipboard menu and wait for a table to become available. 

The High Share Table.

The cookbooks in the corner are a great collection I would gladly add to my own.

We each order a caffeine hit and decide on bagels for lunch. On a side note - I find it odd how bagels aren't as popular here in Australia as they are in the US/Canada and are relatively hard to find.

The Flat White. 

My friend @leenthefoodie was not wrong about the coffee - a rich blend needing no sugar to savour the bean brew. 

Pulled Pork Bagel/Salad/Shoestring Fries

A warm, soft Mini-Bagel filled with a generous portion of tasty pulled pork and crispy cabbage slaw served with a tossed vinagrette salad and freshly fried shoestring fries.

Avocado Smash Bagel/Salad/Shoestring Fries

The same Mini-Bagel filled with a mountain of ripe smashed avocado, a wedge of creamy brie and a slice of freshly cut tomato served with the aforementioned salad and fries.

I was told by @leenthefoodie about the House Tiramisu. We decided however on the Ice Cream Waffles instead and when it arrived it did not disappoint in the slightest.

Belgian Waffle/Hazelnut/Ice Cream/Mixed Berries/Chantilly Cream/Edible Flowers/

Live Popping Candy

A crisp warm Belgian Waffle island topped with a sweet compote of Mixed Berries and smooth cold creamy (possibly Almond flavoured) Ice Cream is surrounded by a sea of live popping candy. As I am taking photos the popping candy is randomly flying off the plate like firecrackers set alight to my sheer delight. My friend however does not share the same sentiment and advises we eat it quickly to avoid more onslaught of PC fire. There's always something about popping candy that turns any adult into a giggling child again with its sharp pop and crackle once it hits the tongue. Also served with a quinelle of light Chantilly Cream and a sprinkling of edible flowers, it is a beautiful dessert which literally tickles the taste buds in more ways than one.

Currently trending as one of the places to brunch in Perth, La Veen Coffee and Kitchen's lunch menu I must say is equally as pleasing. That said I am definitely keen to come back for brunch sometime, hopefully someitme in the near and not so distant future.

The Fried Custard Conundrum.

As we carpool into the Perth CBD on a Wednesday night I did not expect the multitude of people still wandering about the city. Perhaps this is a small sign of things to come as Perth's small bar and restaurant scene in the city is definitely on the up and up. Walking down St Georges Terrace, we walk right past The Trustee Bar and Bistro's inconspicuous entrance and climb up the stairs to then be informed we were dining downstairs in the bistro area tonight. I have been to the Trustee on two previous occasions but have only had the pleasure of dining upstairs. Both of the times were enjoyable in their own way and I hope my recommendation of this place would not disappoint my cohort today.

The five of us enter into the dimly lit bistro filled with loud chatter past a large beautiful vintage framed painting of a possible french flapper girl  and shuffle into one of the raised leather booths. Presented with menus straight away I've noticed the menu has been culled, however there is still a significant selection of classic cuts of beef as well as lamb, chicken and duck. We eventually decided on different dishes as variety seemed to be the flavour of the evening. Our waitress for the night was prompt, courteous and very professional, as expected of any restaurant in Brookfield Place. We continued with our conversation and just as I was wondering where our meal was, it all arrived at once. Quite an impressive feat as many restaurants find collective timing hard to master.

Chateaubriand For Two [Allow 35mins]

Medium Rare Tenderloin Fillet/ Breaded Bone Marrow/ Mustard

I am not one to usually like bone marrow but this was done beautifully. Though I think the meat was slightly more on the rare side, it was absolutely divine with the sweet mild mustard and the sides below.


Paris Mash/Rocket Salad/ Bernaise Aioli.

Buttery velvet Paris Mash - so smooth and creamy that the saucepan was repeatedly scraped clean.

A fresh salad of peppery rocket tossed with small crunchy toasted morsels of walnuts with light shavings of pear.

And a spot on Bernaise Aioli made from a blend of garlic, white wine vinegar, emulsified butter and egg.

Beef Cheek/Pearl Couscous/Beetroot Puree/Seasonal vegetables

Not everyone likes beetroot but I love it's earthy sweet tones. Tiny bits of crisp bacon found among the giant pearls are a salty sweet surprise for bacon lovers.

Special of the Night: 

Angus Beef Sirloin/King Prawn Ravioli/Bocconcini Fresh Tomato Basil Salad

Not your average Surf and Turf the Trustee delivered well with dish - Beautifully cooked hand made giant parcels of pasta each stuffed with a king prawn in a creamy garlic sauce garnished with a crispy potato net cover.

 A perfectly cooked medium rare sirloin and a zesty salad of sweet basil, bocconcini and fresh juicy tomatoes. Though not the main feature of the dish it certainly was a great example of how the right combination of fresh ingredients and flavours can send your taste buds into food heaven. 

The Rib Eye/Truffle Potato Mash/Portabello Mushrooms 

A generous rib eye with a smooth truffle infused mash. The highlight of this dish for my friend was the mushrooms. The highlight of this dish for me was seeing her consume its entirety.

At most times I feel like dinner should end with something sweet and I believe there is always room for dessert. If you say no, your vote does not count and I order dessert anyways. So as our waitress came around, it was an affirmative and definitive yes to dessert. Luckily my fellow diners felt the same way.

Petit Fours - Passionfruit and White Chocolate Mousse Tart/Fried Custard

The passionfruit tart with the white chocolate mousse was as expected- a sweet passionfruit filling topped with a light, not overly sweet mousse. The warm thick gooey fried custard surprisingly held well with its golden crunchy crumb. It certainly perplexed my mind as to how it still held its shape without becoming a total mess on the plate. I queried this with the waitress but she just shrugged and said it was all a mystery to her as well. I still do not know whether she was telling the truth or gatekeeping the kitchens' secrets. 

Blood Orange Tart/ Italian Meringue/Granny Smith Apple Sorbet

A buttery shortcut pastry shell filled with a bitter sweet blood orange filling topped with soft Italian mountain clouds of meringue with a dusting of raspberry sour. A toasted biscuit crumble with the most refreshing granny smith apple sorbet, perfect on a hot summers day to quench and cleanse the palate. Little dots of raspberry coulis and lemon gel give each bite a little dose of sour making this a dessert you would not want to share.

We had ordered two serves of this delectable dessert however one was only brought out at first with our petit fours. I can only assume it was the observant eye of our waitress who apologized as she presented us with our second serving. After all, the first serve had been consumed in a flash.

With full satisfied bellies we said our thank you and goodbyes. Glad to have the short walk to the car, I am happy once again The Trustee Bar and Bistro  provided another memorable dining experience.

Reminiscing Reuben.

 On the corner of Eighth Avenue and Whatley Crescent in Maylands you will find a one of the busiest brunch cafes in Perth, Mrs S.

Known for its good coffee and good food,  Mrs S also shares a love for puppies, kittens, flowers and pretty things. Serving breakfast, lunch and cakes-a-plenty, if you turn up late on a weekend you are bound to wait a while for a free table.

Enter inside and you'll find its homely interior is decked out with a mix of shared benches and odd tables with small vases of fresh flowers and kitchen/home accessories for sale scattered and perched about the place - I always have to stop myself from purchasing the odd apron or tea towel. If you would like to bring your beloved canine friend, external seating caters for such an outing. A giant chalkboard inside denotes the refreshments for the day and as we are seated, the waiter presents us the menu in old children books clipped down with an old peg.  Told to line up to order at the counter when you are ready,  you cannot help but peruse the many cakes, slices and muffins they have for sale to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The interior is abuzz with many a catch up and conversation including our own as our ordered coffees arrive promptly.

The coffee is fresh, hot and brewed well and our meals are brought out shortly after.

Mrs S's Avocado Smash.

Toasted Ciabatta/Poached Egg/Avocado/Rocket/Spinach/Fetta Crumble/Pine Nuts/Pesto/Coriander

A warm not overly crunchy thick slice of Ciabatta bread served with a generous amount of smashed avocado. The poached egg is perfectly runny and the peppery rocket works well with the sharp tang of the fetta and the crunch of the toasted pine nuts. Add  the pesto and you've got a great green combo.

Though quite happy with my Avocado Smash I cannot help but reminisce on the Reuben Sandwich I had last time I visited Mrs S.

Mrs S's Reuben Sandwich.

Corned beef/Red Cabbage Slaw/ Pickles/Sunny Side Egg/Tabasco Sauce/Slice of Rye

I can remember the hot splash of Tabasco, the saltiness of the corned beef, the sour sweet of the red cabbage slaw and the pickles mixed with the runny yolk on freshly baked rye. This sandwich combined my love of cured meats with sour, sweet and hot altogether tantalising my taste buds with each bite.

As far as I could tell and to my dismay, it was no longer on the menu. 

I think I may have to recreate my own version of the Reuben. 

Nonetheless I will be back to Mrs S in the future and if you have not called on her yet, I urge you to do so.

The Humble Boiled Egg.

In my household my mum does most if not all the cooking. The only 'cooking' my dad does and does very well is boiling eggs. The one time he tried to cook, it was in short - a bit of a disaster. My mum knows this. I know this. And so if you want boiled eggs, you can count on my dad to make perfect boiled eggs.

Unlike poached eggs which I prefer more soft and runny, I prefer my boiled eggs just at the point where the yolk is almost set. The egg white has formed, but splits with ease to reveal the encased bright yellow yolk ready to be eaten with glee. 

I found one unclaimed cooked and cooled egg in the fridge and whisked it away to be eaten with aforementioned glee.

Honey Ham/Deli Hot Shaved Salami/Slice of Tasty Cheese/Quarter of a Fresh Avocado/Fresh Tomato Slices/One Boiled egg -yolk just set/Freshly Baked Roll 

The saltiness of the deli meats always works well with the sharpness of the cheese and the fresh sweetly acidic tomato, whilst the avocado provides a smooth and nutty texture with the creamy yellow yolk. 

I savoured each single bite. So much so I made one the next day as well. 

I think it is rare to find any brunch/breakfast haunts that have boiled eggs on their menu. A possible exception - Mary St Bakery with their Eggs and Soldiers [cut egg crates cradling two soft boiled eggs served with crisp cut pieces of buttered soldier toast].

So I appeal to you to sometimes forget about the frying/scrambling/poaching/baking and pick the humble boiled egg. 

So simple yet so satisfying in its own yolky way.

MMMC.

So the last time I remember baking with my friend Emma we had not only made a mess but had forgotten key ingredients (sugar) and I had lent her one of my plates which I had completely forgotten about until she gave it back to me just recently.

With her sister being in town from the United States for her wedding in October I proposed another baking get-together so I could properly see both of them whilst making delicious treats. I brave the wild weather on a black cloud storm filled Saturday afternoon to her house and we donned multi-coloured aprons to begin.

We decide on Melting Moments - which apparently my mum has informed me is from Italian origin. They remind me of sweet buttery shortbread with a small wedge of cream in the centre just to tie the crumbly texture altogether.

Little did I know a generous amount of butter is needed and the cream filling is flavoured with a small amount of lemon rind and juice. Surprisingly however these amazing little biscuits are very simple to make and bake.

The kitchen fills with an assortment of classic dance tracks and and I am introduced to the likes of Kate Nash and humorous stories from Emma and her sister Nora whilst singing to the likes of Backstreet Boys and other catchy pop anthems.

After much mess and mixing we let them cool and pair up the halves to form little pale sandwiches of afternoon delight.

Melting Moments - MMs

Neither of them have ever had or heard of Melting Moments before or of Monte Carlos - one of my all time favourite biscuits. It is my go to biscuit in the Arnott's Family Pack. A never-fail brown crunchy, slightly coconutty biscuit with cream filled jam lined centre. I always felt that they never ever gave enough jam but little did I know I could make my own so easily.

And after more mess and mixing whilst making sure we follow the recipe we created these little jam gems.

Monte Carlos- MC.

Not as flat, brown, crunchy or coconutty but jam packed the way I like.

Perfect with a cup of hot tea and a fine book to read, both the recipes for these moreish morsels are from the Women's Weekly Afternoon tea collection recipe book. I shall attempt both of these again as the filled box I brought home yesterday is now almost bare- hopefully they will last more than one day next time round.