Elephant & Wheelbarrow, Lake St, Northbridge

The basic pub, the same as a million others, pleasant enough, unlikely to get attacked, at least early in the evening.  friendly American barman (from nr San Fransisco) reminds us how interactive and engaged North Americans are vs Australian bar staff.

Coffea, Applecross village (was Deli Chicchi)

The local.  Friendly and fast with some interesting menu choices.  Great little place, busy busy busy.  Its better now than under the Deli Chicchi name.

The mushrooms, feta and greens on flat bread is very tasty.

Coffee only ok, good enough, does not make the yumm grade.

Pickled Fig, 21 Ocean Dve South Fremantle, 9431 7333,

The seaside location is always a winner, the menu is a cut above the ordinary, but overall a ordinary place really, nothing unique.   I am not a big fan of the initial sell.  Sitting down you get asked about the sparkling water or the juices.  The staff  are not well trained. 

Smoothies are colourful and nice enough , if expensive at $7ish - Coffee is still ordinary.

The Imp, Vic Park

Florio coffee is a good start, friendly staff is always nice as well.  The coffee is a bit bitter, a bit of a disappointment, not what Florio coffee can be.

The people next to us have ordered food only to discover about 10 minutes in that one dish is not available.  Communication between front and back is obviously not the best.  The staff then get the person to come back to the counter to look at the menu and pick a new dish.  This is so Australian.  No one seems to mind so I guess its all good, life goes on.  

The atmosphere and decor is nice enough.  Modern and clean looking.

Hinz Chinese Restaurant, (08) 9228 8399 Northbridge 10 Lake Street,

We where surprised, mostly because we thought it was a Japanese restaurant.  This room is bright.  No hiding in the corner for a quiet dinner here.  Its also mostly empty compared to many of the other places in the area when we eat.

Great service and big portions.  Prompt and attentive and the overall price reasonable given the size of the portions.  We had the mushrooms and veggies, share ribs and sausage clay pot.  All where good.  The mushrooms and veggies the best, really tasty spinach.  This will be just as good tomorrow. 

The Dim Sum as a starter was best of all.  Definitely would be back for the Dim Sum.

Platform Restaurant and Bar,

E X P E N S I V E.

Nice enough food, efficient and friendly service and good wine, not great value in the end.  CBD business lunch pricing.  Mostly empty on a Thursday lunch time suggesting that others have a similar view.

(08) 9226 3636 Woodside Building 240 St Georges Terrace.

Salt and Pepper squid,  Scallop and Prawn salad.

KoKo Black - Claremont, 7 days a week

The Lane, Claremont Quarter, 23 St Quentin Avenue, 9284 2049.

Interesting concept for Perth and excellent to see them trying this.

Chocolate in all shapes and sizes in the front and get mesmerized by the chocolate making.

Tompkin on the Swan, Attadale (seasonal only - Mid Jan to early April)

Cafe at the club open Sunday morning from 7:30.

Facilities:  A great place to relax and look across the river on a sunny Sunday morning.

Food: Nothing too fancy but nicely prepared.   We have the salmon Benedict on a bagel and cereal. (Alas not a real bagel, but tasty never the less)

Coffee:  Above average, not fantastic.

http://www.tompkinsparkfunctions.net.au/tompkins.html

Venn, Queen St, CBD (next to 1901)

Great little new Bar in the CBD at the back of the shop.  Really nicely done.

Open for Breaky, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast: Omelet and salad where great, Pancakes looked and tasted great although they where not quiet cooked through.  (And "Maple" syrup is not the real deal, alas).  Nice coffee.

Overall: We will be back I am sure.

Venn.net

Rockpool

We probably did not sample the best of what Rockpool can offer having stuck to Oysters and Steak.

The service was professional and eventually warmed to our particular brand of humour.

Good

• Oysters delicious and fresh; Bread is fantastic; Room is smart and professional and sophisticated; Entrance way is fantastic way to enter the restaurant

Bad

• Steak - over cooked.  Rare should mean rare; The reluctance to provide limes and Tabasco for the Oysters
  

Ugly

• The price.  We managed to spend almost $500 each

Rockpool Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon

Samovar, 60/66 Queen St, Busselton (08) 9751 2399

Model and sterile, why do we have to have places like this?

Coffee was moderate - firmly in the ok category.  If you cannot find actually good coffee....

http://www.samovar.com.au/

Elixir Coffee, 145 Stirling Highway

Popular with a well desired reputation.  This is really good coffee and tasty smart cafe food.  The service is efficient and respectful if a little sullen.

(08) 9389 9333

Nedlands/Dalkeith
http://www.elixircoffee.com.au/