Fez Cafe Mount Lawley
September 22nd, 2010 § 6 Comments
I love discovering a new cafe! Apparently Fez opened less than a week ago so I thought I’d pay them a brunch visit. I was greeted most warmly by Abby who was always attentive and friendly. My first coffee, a double shot flat white was excellent, and not too hot. In fact it says on the menu that if you want your coffee hotter, you need to specifically ask for it. The short black to follow was well poured with good acidity, but thankfully not mouth-puckeringly so.
The eggs benedict ($15.50) pictured above were cooked to perfection, with the eggs’ soft centres juxtaposed with some lightly grilled ham and gently wilted spinach on sourdough. The Hollandaise was beautifully balanced and creamy.
The fit out is light and clean without being sterile. It’s in a great location, just off the increasingly difficult-to-negotiate Beaufort St precinct with easy adjacent street parking or in the Fresh Provisions carpark onto which it faces.
I must say I was sorely tempted by the traditional Berber breakfast of Moroccan meatballs with eggs and grilled bread ($18.50), but my appetite wasn’t quite up to that. To be continued on another occasion.
According to Abdul, the cafe’s owner, they’ll also be opening for dinner in November, with BYO wine.
Well worth a try if you’re looking for something new in the Beaufort Street precinct. I know I’ll be back for the Berber breakfast!
Fez
83 Walcott St
Mt Lawley WA 6050
(08) 9328 9999
Lowdown Espresso Bar
May 18th, 2010 § 3 Comments
Paid a visit to the relatively recently opened Lowdown Espresso Bar yesterday. Their short macchiato and flat white ticked all the boxes for me. Nice to see them adopting a “Melbourne approach” to their pricing structure too. That is, charging a fair rather than exorbitant amount for great coffee.
Lowdown are tucked away in Cloisters Arcade off Hay Street near His Majesty’s Theatre.
Worth a visit if you’re in the neighbourhood. They’re passionate about what they do. I like that!
If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of what to expect visit Cafe Grendel’s blog about Lowdown
Lowdown Espresso Bar
Open weekdays 7am – 5pm
16A Cloisters Arcade,
Hay Street, Perth
Ph 9226 3041
http://www.lowdownespresso.com.au/
PS. This area’s fast filling with other great cafes. Check out the comments on this post for more recommendations from my fellow coffee fiends!
Losing weight’s as easy as ABCDE
April 7th, 2010 § 4 Comments
Adas Bis Silq
Two months ago, as a result of a sleep health study I decided to try to lose weight. AGAIN!
I wanted to do it without the “aid” of the plethora of weight loss companies or by forking out dough for expensive, noisy gym classes.
Over the past 2 months, I’ve lost around 13 kilos. People have been noticing the change and are asking me what I’ve done, so I thought I’d share my experiences and the principles behind my “success”.
A = Alcohol abstinence
Inspired by the concept of Febfast in an article by Australian wine writer Max Allen, I stopped drinking alchohol for a month which kick-started things nicely. I didn’t actually participate in Febfast, but might do so next year. It’s a good cause.
I’ve resumed drinking, but not every night and try to limit myself to 1 glass when I do. If I don’t succeed however, there’s no self flagellation.
B = Bread (reduction)
only one slice and not at every meal
C = Chocolate (elimination/reduction)
and other sweets/cakes/lollies
D = Diet
I’m eating sensible portions of healthy low-fat food 3 times per day. (with a serve of fruit or a few nuts in between if necessary).
I always eat breakfast. Cereal and fruit. Not a fry-up.
A nutritious precooked home-made meal in the fridge at all times really helps. For example Adas Bis Silq is easy and nutritious.
brisk walking for 1 hr at least 4-5 days per week endeavouring to make this social when possible.
F = Footnote
The other trigger for the need to lose weight was a sleep study which showed that my snoring was waking me and my significant other, frequently throughout the night. I’ve trialled a CPAP machine for a month, discovering that APAP actually worked better for me. I’ve now returned it and have been trying to sleep without it. A reliable source tells me I’m now snoring less so my sleep hygiene would appear to be improved due to the weight loss.
However, I’m aware that the process of ageing and other behavioural/physiological factors can predispose one to apnoea so it’s still on my possible to do list. Will keep an eye/ear out for the nocturnal decibels.
What I’ve learnt
I’m hoping to keep the weight off this time. ABC’s “Healthy Living” site and others should help keep me on track.
I’ve realised that alcohol lowers my ability to resist excess quantities of yummy food. It also makes me snore more. I guess the pursuit of sleep hygiene helped create an imperative for weight loss.
Links
Febfast – A national Australian health and charity initiative
Lebanese Lentil and Silverbeet soup recipe (Adas Bis Silq)
“Lose weight for the long term” People who lose weight and keep it off are rare. What are they doing right? – ABC Healthy Living
“Sleep apnoea over-diagnosed?” by Dr Norman Swan
In praise of diversity
March 20th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
” I believe (that) in a world which is very conscious of the environment, conscious of caring and tradition, we must conserve diversity by having the freedom to express the difference between this cheese and that cheese. It would be a serious mistake for future generations if there was uniformity of taste with all dairy, fruit, any agriculture product tasting exactly the same. Now that would be a serious mistake.”
Roland Barthélémy Guildes des Fromagers
From Episode 5 of Will Studd’s Cheese Slices “Camembert”.
Photo by abstractgourmet.com
Jerry Fraser, King of Oysters
January 17th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I know I’ve mentioned Jerry’s greatness before, but I’ll say it again. This man is an oyster shucking virtuoso. (Pardon my expletive alliteration!)
Not content to hide away in a kitchen, Jerry prises open these twinkling gems right before your very eyes. He’s at chic places like Must wine bar on Beaufort Street and other locations around Perth.
If you want to catch him around town to witness the incredible skill with which he prises open these exquisite fruits of the sea, check out his facebook page or contact him via his website.
http://www.oystershucker.com.au/
