Its rare that I review a dining experience after only one visit, lest the next visit makes a lie of the review, but the Old Courthouse blew the Uber Blonde and I away.
Opening just shy of Xmas last year the stunningly (and lovingly) restored Freo icon joins a burgeoning, high quality hospitality collection of venues in the port city.
Its another product of the agile mind, and deep pockets, of serial developer Karl Fuller who also worked his magic over The National Hotel a few streets away.
And its money well spent. The stunning, chic fitout preserves the history and past of the building. The high ceilings, the docks in each court and the original almost floor to ceiling windows. The dark blue walls struck through with gold and dressed by enormous lithographic portraits.
Every room, and there are lots, is a mastepiece. The verandah bar is as modern as it gets and surpisingly cool on the 43 degree day of our visit.
But best of all are the menu and the fab staff. The attentiveness of the team are second to none. Floor manager Andrew appeared next to me offering a pillow as I was about to sink into one of the luxurious leather chairs. Impressive.
Good luck getting that sort of attention at the Norfolk!
The menu is big and inventive with a local produce focus and moderate price point. From the basics, roast chicken and sirloin to the more stylish adeventures such as pear waldorf salad, marinated Freo sardines and believe it or not - king prawn cocktails.
The wine list is servicable with beer being the main focus here.
We chose the Marinated Freo sardines, cheap at $19, the Pear Waldorf salad $10 (small) and the Spiced chickpea fritters $18. And luckily so, as the dishes were large and beautifully presented.
As a recent convert to the world of sardines, thank you Garum, I now relish every encounter with them - and these were among the best I've had. Two large fillets each on a large slab of crusty brown bread, dressed with cherry tomatoes and micro leaves.
Superb flavours, with the marinade calming, but not killing, the natural sardine taste. The chickpea fritters were Morrocan heaven on a plate - perfectly soft, well spiced with the tomato and red onion "salsa" more pretty than tasty.
The pear waldorf salad was a perfect foil for the mains with the heady blue cheese making the dish a cut above.
For a first time outing, this was an absolute surprise and makes us wonder where the people who have bagged the place on Google actually ate.
It certainly wasn't here.
tried the alleged Seafood risotto.......hellish....just rice porridge made with fish stock. topped with 2 tired prawns which tasted of formaldehyde,