Top Five… lunch places in Northbridge
It’s amazing what a weekend in Sydney will do to your timetable – knock you about completely! So I haven’t had a chance to up any pictures from my camera, but that won’t stop me compiling a list of five hot joints to spend your hard-earned cash while lunching in Northbridge. As someone who works in the infamous Perth suburb, I can vouch for each of these eateries and their popularity can be verified by ATM receipts and credit card statements.
5. Nando’s Northbridge (35 Lake Street, www.nandos.com.au)
When you’ve got a craving for protein, there’s nothing like Nando’s to hit the spot. During my training days, I once managed to shovel down three quarters of chicken (ie 75 per cent of a whole chook) at once with large chips. Has gone through a few changes of ownership since opening its doors in 2004 – one of the happiest days of my life – but the current mob in seem pretty good. BYO hasn’t been tested at this particular Nando’s, but most Nando’s restaurants are happy for you to bring in a beer (and wine I suspect, but I’ve only ever brought in six packs for food at Nando’s). Extra hot or bust – unless you live in Melbourne where your Nando’s is inexplicably hotter than ours and extra hot at St Kilda Nando’s almost killed me. Almost.
4. Dragon Seafood Chinese Restaurat (108 James Street, www.dragonseafood.com.au)
Some of the best dim sum in Northbridge, though the greatness does come at a bit of a cost. Superb sui mai and very flavoursome fried squid tentacles. Looking forward to trying the all you can eat seafood steamboat buffet one night. Fully licensed and BYO wine is available at $2.50 per person.
3. Maya Masala (49 Lake Street)
A Northbridge institute and name synonymous with Indian cuisine in Western Australia, Maya Masala has long been dishing up tasty treats from the sub-continent. For those who can’t decide between favourites such as the butter chicken, roganjosh, vindaloo or a stash of other curry delights, the $15 non-vegetarian thali is a god send. Featuring naan, rice and six little tubs filled with different curries and a dessert, it’s the best way to sample a cross-section of Indian flavours. BYO is all good here, though if you’re going to order something with a bit of heat to it, I suggest a wine with some sweetness to it to help battle the sting of the heat.
2. Il Padrino Caffe (198 William Street, www.ilpadrinocaffe.com)
My first brush with this house of fine pizza was in 2000 when I first joined the work force (a handful of fast food jobs during uni not withstanding). Back then, Tuesdays were the only day you could get a half-price pizza but now you can enjoy 50 per cent off pizzas all week, making the prospect of dining at Il Padrino’s far more affordable. The owner and pizza chef Nunzio is a real character and his massive personality extends onto his restaurant with memorabilia and photos plastered across walls. BYO is on.
1. Saigon Cafe & Noodle Restaurant (101 James Street)
If I feel like splashing out, the broken rice with seven meats is on, but if the wallet is looking a little lean and I don’t think I can swing the $9.90 for the goodness of the broken rice, than six fiddy gets you a bowl of Saignon chicken noodle or the Saigon chicken rice and it’s just as good (just without as much pork). Lunches are a quick, tasty and affordable affair and dinner excursions to Saigon have been just as pleasing with the removal of clock-watching broadening a brand new set of culinary horizons. BYO is good here and there are often beer specials on offer too, but with an everday low price of $5.50 (or therabouts if memory serves me correct) for a Corona, one could argue the prices are special all the time.
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