This year’s Eat, Drink, Perth begins on the first day of autumn. That can’t be a coincidence. What better way is there to celebrate the end of bikini season and the start of winter weight gain, than an entire month’s worth of culinary events, from hawkers’ markets and coffee tastings to pop-up bars and cooking classes?
We had a chat to Lalla Rookh general manager Patrick Ryan (pictured at right with head chef Joel Valvasori-Pereza) to tell us about A Taste of Middle Perth, a progressive dinner hopping from Andaluz to Lalla Rookh to The Greenhouse and Helvetica.
Um, what’s “Middle Perth”?
Middle Perth is the city block that runs between Barrack and William Streets and bordered by The Esplanade and St Georges Terrace. It includes a bunch of high quality, well run hospitality venues that have a good sense of humour.
Despite being competitors, Lalla Rookh, Andaluz, Helvetica and The Greenhouse seem to be the best of friends. What’s the story behind the mateship?
Odd as it sounds, we are all team mates as much as we are competitors. We want to attract people to the Middle Perth precinct. The more people who are in the area, the busier we will all be, providing we maintain our standards. I think it helps that we are predominately ran as small owner/operator style venues, almost family like you might say. I think we help to keep one another on our toes a little bit, which is a win for the people coming through the doors.
What can diners expect from A Taste of Middle Perth?
They can expect a great representation of the various food and booze that the four venues have to offer, as well as a good indication of the differences between the venues that are so close together. We want to demonstrate that you can easily spend your night within the Middle Perth precinct, whilst experiencing some very different venues. I think the difference will be in the venues themselves, as I said we all have our personalities, quirks and all. Our guests will be hosted by the owners and operators of the venue and have the opportunity to have a chat with us if they want.
Do you have any bets going for how many guests will come dressed as Gandalf?
Not expecting any fancy dress, but would rather see Gandalfs than Gollums, that’s for sure.
A Taste of Middle Perth is happening at 6pm on Tues, 5 March. Tickets cost $95
