Spirit of the Streets

I came across this concert recently and although it's not food related, I'm reminded by the fact that while it's nice to be able to experience great food and wine, there are many out there who don't have a roof over their heads or access to a regular feed.

The "Spirit of the Streets" is Perth's version of the Choir of Hard Knocks (as seen on ABC TV).

They have a concert at the Perth Concert Hall
Tuesday October 14
8pm
Bookings at BOCS.

Belgian Blonds have more fun

At the Belgian Beer Café (corner of Murray and Hay Streets, Perth) you do the beer in quality rather than quantity, unless you like spending a small fortune. The Leffe Blond's my personal fave, although I am rather partial to Bellevue Kriek which is made from sour cherries. Some hairy chested blokes might think Kriek is girly beer. I don't. Try it with dessert ie chocolate. The framboise (made with sour raspberries) is equally good but not on tap.

The BBC (Belgian Beer Café NOT the British Broadcasting Corporation) also does nice Euro-style fare with Mussels, frites, tasting plates and other yummy stuff. Nice place to sit outdoors on a sunny day with some good company.

My favourite staple meal.

(click on the image for a clearer view of the recipe).

I've been meaning to blog this for ages! As a guy married to a vegetarian I love being able to walk out of the supermarket with a bag of lentils, a bunch of fresh silverbeet and coriander, an onion and a couple of lemons and actually know what to do with it.

The beauty of this soup is it's simplicity and volume. We just keep the large pot in the fridge and decant to smaller pots or micro individual bowls of it for a very healthy meal.

French style lentils can be a nice substitute here as they hold their shape better but brown (or green) lentils will also do the trick.

You can also add firm tofu, or white fish or anything else that goes with these ingredients.

Mondo Markets

A few years ago my local butcher, Vince Garreffa started up a "mini market" behind his store in Inglewood.

As a former Adelaidean, I loved the market culture and missed the Adelaide Central Markets. As a musician, I wondered how I could help Vince keep the momentum of his outdoor produce market going.

Vince has created a brilliant little foodie hub in suburban Inglewood with live European folk music organized by yours truly.

When you get there, order yourself a coffee from Mena Samios, grab a croissant from Kingsley and Chrissie Sullivan and explore this little gem tucked behind the Mondo di Carne butcher shop. Make sure you try Suzanne Saldahna's famous coriander chutney. Karrimah's chilli kasundi is also yummo as are Helen's Hellish Olives. Of course you'll have to check out the recently renovated butcher shop out the front as well! I love the Mondo pies but you'll also find other produce like gourmet cheeses and marinated octopus. And the meat is of course truly incredible with many oven-ready options for those who love good food, but are pushed for time.

The markets are a great meeting place to sit with a coffee and watch the world go by. It's a really fun start to the weekend and kids seem to love the live music!

The Mondo markets with New Norcia bread, freshly brewed Essenza coffee, and live music start again in 2008 on Saturday September 6th (WA Election Day). Thereafter every Saturday until December 13th.

Saturday mornings 9am to 12pm (Starting September 6)
824 Beaufort Street
Inglewood
Corner of 6th Ave and Beaufort Street
See the map below the piccies.


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Abstract Gourmet

To see a REAL food blog and some great hints on coffee go to abstractgourmet.com

Oxtail Soup with Egg Noodles

This dish rocked my socks off. Slowly stewed (and very meaty) oxtail with a dark, hearty broth. There were dates and other small red currants in the mix with some chilli/lemongrass sambal on the side.

Phong Vinh is quite new in Northbridge and if you love Vietnamese soups, you should definitely give them a try.

The place is clean and comfy. The music's a little unfortunate, but I'm a musician so I'm a bit picky on this point. The food definitely makes up for this shortcoming though!

A sample of their menu....
Oxtail Soup was just $11.
Com Tam - $9.50
Pho Tài (pictured) $9.00


Phong Vinh
Unit 3/323 William Street
Northbridge
(next to The Moon cnr Newcastle and William Street).
Ph 9228 8288