17 hours Ago By Jade Jurewicz
On a recent holiday in Melbourne it seems that a controversial opinion snuck its way into my luggage and made it back to Perth. And now that I’ve had some time to unpack it, I’m ready to share my findings and face the inevitable backlash from Melbournians. Perth does better coffee.
Now of course, context, it may have just been the joints in the affluent inner-city suburb we were staying in that we visited between gawking at the many mansions and manors probably gave our tourist status away. But we tried at least six of the area’s coffee shops, and none of them measured up to the great coffee we’ve sampled in Perth (Modus is currently topping my list). Saying that, when it comes to walkability, food options and shopping — Melbourne comes out on top.
Fast forward to a Friday lunch at Peninsula Farm in Maylands, very much in need of a catch up with a friend over a meal to chase away the post-holiday blues. If you haven’t been here, or the adorable cottage cafe isn’t on your radar, set your sights on it. Sitting in a quiet strip of the Swan River, as the name might give away, it feels like you’re stealing a moment on a relaxing holiday somewhere south.
It’s like a breath of fresh air from the moment we spot it, only heightened by the delightful gentleman who greets us and takes us to our seats on the verandah. The all-day menu is a mix of brekkie and lunch favourites, with an elevated twist; there is a beef burger with bacon jam and smoked onion marmalade, an open smoked salmon bagel with caper berries as well as three farm-style share boards, toasties and a Devonshire tea offering. A spicy beans and green salsa ($24), with two gooey poached eggs and some good hunks of Turkish bread, was filling and delicious.
While lacking in the promised spice — the beans had more of a subtly sweet taste — it didn’t take away from an otherwise tasty dish. The dish that can no longer be solely blamed for sending Aussie millennials broke, the avo smash ($20), was a winning riff on the brekkie classic, particularly with its addition of peas, crunchy roasted chickpeas and dukkah. In an opinion that isn’t quite as controversial, this is an excellent cafe that is well worth a visit this spring.
2C Johnson Road, Maylands OPEN Weds-Sun, 8am-3pm BOOKINGS Yes CONTACT peninsulafarmcafe.com.au THE VERDICT A delightful cafe that feels like a breath of fresh country air.
Small but refined all-day brekkie menu, great service. 16/20.
