Tannic Teeth

It may just be a taste hangover from the previous rabbit post, but again I’m in the game, for game. And good wine.

Aside from the standard European table-fare of game (rabbit, boar, pheasant, grouse, etc), we decided to have a crack at Kangaroo, Emu and Possum.

Yes, I know eating all of our national coat of arms would probably make the rest of the world recoil in horror, but I must tell you, when paired with good wine, it’s a  combination worthy of the deserved political atrocity.

Kangaroo is now a common meat available at most retail supermarkets, but keep hush-hush about it. I’d like to see it at $13.67 per kg for a long time still.

Emu is less common. With a dark meat, and similar pH, texture and taste to beef, you’d be hard pressed to convince a Beefeater it was a giant bird from Australia.

Last was Possom. Confit(ted), it tasted like duck with a slight ripple of porkyness. The texture was akin to chicken thigh that had a run-in with a forceful kitchen-hand. New Zealand has an issue with possums; they should eat them crumbed with sweet chilli. “Sweet Chilli Possum Wrap at KFP” — Perhaps it’ll take a while for the market to warm.

The wine that we decided to pick-a-part on the night was Forest Hill Vineyard “Boobook” Shiraz Viognier 2007 [Great Southern]

From first inspection it’s easy to tell there is much going on below the surface. Good splatterings of ripe berries and decorous oak which swayed between vanillian and cedar. On the tannin-front the wine presents a powdery texture, as if you copped it in the mouth in a baby-parlour. Purposefully  balanced, with Viognier’s heart sent on complimenting Shiraz and not providing too much to dwell on; Florally lifted, tumultuous fruit. As easy going as you’d expect from  Great Southern for the price. 17.6 points

Spend Summer with the Locals. Flora and Fauna.

You know you’re doing something right when the queue for takeaway is snaking down the footpath.

Perhaps vying for a slice of burger glory in Perth, Jus Burgers is good example of so called ‘junk food’ done well.

Located in Leederville, it has become the touchstone for quality meat between two buns.

Ingredients are sourced locally, with particular emphasis on Western Australian produce. I may hazard a guess that most sources of food (sans meat and grain) would come from the metro area. You have Turkish bread from Vic Park, fruit and veg from Morley and chippies from Bibra Lake. Local produce means two things:

1) the distance from the produce to your plate is reduced, delivering fresher ingredients;

2) less distance equals less carbon footprints.

On the menu there are various takes on the humble burger (enter cheese, bacon, onion etc). You have wagyu beef, lamb, kangaroo, borewors, fish. Then three veggie options: vegan, chickpea or pumpkin to satisfy any table-thumping militant vegetarian (such as my partner). Meals range from less and $15 with lunch specials hovering at $10.

It’s ludicrous to think companies ship fruit and veg across the Nullabor in hulking refrigerated semi-trailers.

“To market, to market to buy a fat pig.” What ever happened to those days?

On a side note, try Stella Bella Chardonnay with The Bokka (Borewors Burger). It was a OMG taste moment. Nothing like skipping a NZ Sav Blanc for another local hero.

Do it local and do it right.

Jus Burgers

743 Newcastle St
Leederville 6007
Perth, WA
Phone: 08 9228 2230

• Finalist in Restaurant and Catering Industry Association Awards - Best New Restaurant of 2009
• Winner of Sunday Times – Cheap & Healthy Eating Awards
• Winner of I LOVE FOOD Awards 2009 - Best Hamburger in Australia

Sunday was not only the birthday of my brother (the auspicious 21) and my partner’s brother (25).

But it was also the wedding day of my cousin.

Although I was not the offical photographer, I simply couldn’t resist taking a few candid pics of the day.

To capture the energy, as my gift to them.

Congratulations guys. You’re a beautiful couple. May you have many joyous years ahead.

More photos here.

OK.

So I may be a little obsessed with wine from Great Southern as of late.

But I can assure you there is reason for this unhealthy obsession. First it was the 2001 Gladstones.

Unfortunately I was remiss in brining my camera to the tasting, thus no review.

But I can say, if you have it sitting down somewhere, drink it now. The leather tones are only going to increase.

Speaking of leather, the Pinot offering by Castle Rock Estate is something worthy of a fatty chew.

As with most Pinots, it’s the colour of an anaemic Cabernet. On the nose it’s mixed-tape of rhubarb, strawberry and a certain barnyardiness that gives all Pinots their allure.

Over the tongue, it’s got a deep sinewy feel. Something not unlike a fatty cheddar. But I’ll leave it at that. It’s racy with electric acidity but held into check with a good expressive fruit weight.

Well worth a try.

Go Great Southern*.

*if this was facebook, I’d like this.

It was in a sunday night and I wanted to have a bit of fun light-painting.

After a hectic week at work, it was supposed to be relaxing few hours up on the knoll of Kings Park.

Painting on a canvas of blackness with palette of light.

But unlike the beach, there are

1) lots of people

2) light spill from the city

3) murderous hordes of mozzies

4) lumpy grass that makes sticking a tripod  to it ludicrously hard

5) murderous hordes of mozzies

6) candles that can’t fight the wind

7) and hunger pangs for hot chocolate at The Moon.

So I guess it didn’t work like how I intended.

Light painting fail.

But thank-you for all that were involved. You know who you were.

For those that grace Beaufort Street would know there used to be an old shop at 513. Correct me if i’m wrong but was it a kebab shop, right? I remember it because there is a florist further down the road with the most amazing blooms. They’re always beaming towards the sun, perfect to take a few happy snaps.

But I digress.
So there’s going to be a small bar in that retail cavity left behind. I saw the Notice of Application the other week. Yes. It took me a while to actually blog this, and hopefully full renovations are well underway.

Mezza Tapas is the name.

Watch this space.

(Warning – shameless self-promotion ahead)

It was quite some time ago that Steve [now editor of DDD] and I talked about starting a literary magazine for Perth. It was at Alda’s on a later summer day. It was a casual conversation born at a writing-meet held by myself to help writers publish their work. From small things, big things grow. Even magazines.

Dotdotdash came into being by a collaboration of artists, writers and a platoon of tireless helpers. All staff are volunteers with not a penny to be made. Its topics cover creative non-fiction, travel, poetry, short story. It’s textured with art throughout.  The first topic – quicksand.Steve has done a fantastic job creating a magazine showcasing some of Perth’s up-and-coming writers and artists.

Definitely watch this space.

dotdotdash

(Quarterly)

Issue 01 (Quicksand)

Out now