April is Good Food Month, and in Perth this means a wonderful piece of Asia returns to the city in the form of the Perth Night Noodle Markets.
For ten days out of a month of tasty events, the Night Noodle Markets are your chance to be transported to the streets of Asia, complete with the bustle, aromas and delicious flavours.
Spread throughout the month are various special gourmet Good Food Month events. One to watch out for is the Let's Do Lunch series, where restaurants open up for daytime fine dining at a very reasonable price. Check the Perth section of the Good Food Month website for a list of participating restaurants and dates.
Some exciting one-off events in Good Food Month need to be booked as soon as possible due to limited availability. If you're lucky enough to nab some tickets, you'll get the chance to learn from industry professionals, meet world class chefs and sample their creations!
This article describes three key events, and some top restaurants recommended for Perth during Good Food Month.
For updates and bookings, visit the Good Food Month website: www.goodfoodmonth.com/perth
Night Noodle Markets
Friday 5 - Sunday 14 April
Elizabeth Quay, Perth
As the key event for Good Food Month in Perth, the Night Noodle Markets bring a hawker-style food festival to Elizabeth Quay from 5 to 14 April.
There's a great vibe at this pop-up venue on the Swan River, as visitors browse an impossible choice of delicious dishes at around 20 stalls, against a sound backdrop of DJ and live music.
Expect to see the likes of Hoy Pinoy Filipino street food, Thai cuisine from Bangkok Jump Street and Shallot Thai, Twistto Korean potato snacks, and a selection of Asian flavours from Bao Brothers.
The Night Noodle Markets are open from 5.00pm on weekdays, 4.00pm weekends.
Greco-Roman Affair
Thursday 4 April, 6.30–10.00pm
Garum, Hibernian Place, Perth
Legendary chef Guy Grossi established Garum last year in partnership with the new Westin Perth at Hibernian Place - a stylish collection of bars and restaurants complementing the luxurious hotel.
Garum specialises in Roman cuisine, under the creative eye of Mario di Natale, who was mentored by Grossi earlier in his career and is of Sicilian heritage. For this highly anticipated Good Food Month event, di Natale joins forces with Stefano Marano of Sydney's Apollo restaurant to deliver a four-course menu of shared plates with matching wines.
Young Chefs Dinner
Sunday 7 April, 6.30–9.00pm
Bread in Common, Pakenham Street, Fremantle
Young chefs from three of Perth's top restaurants have a chance to show what they're made of at this popular event. James Higgs from Lulu La Delizia, Jason Scott from Millbrook Winery and Liam Davidson from Bread in Common will serve up a three-course dinner with matched wines.
Bread in Common head chef Scott Brannigan will guide these skilful young creatives. This is a great opportunity to be wowed by the new talent emerging onto the culinary scene in Perth at this special Good Food Month event at one of Fremantle's top restaurants.
High Tea with Anna Polyviou
Sunday 28 April, 10.30am–1.00pm
Rooftop at QT, Murray Street, Perth
This is where food and visual art collide. Popular pastry chef Anna Polyviou turns high tea into a performance, bringing to Perth Good Food Month her famous passion for creating delicious treats with artistic flair.
Expect both savoury and sweet tastes, and be ready to spend more time Instagramming than eating.
Rooftop at QT is another recent addition to Perth's growing bar and dining options, located in the heart of the CBD with views across the city.
Top Restaurants for Perth Good Food Month
Apart from the restaurants providing venues and chefs for these key events, check the "Insider's Guide to Dining in Perth" on the Good Food Month website: goodfoodmonth.com/blog/insiders-guide-to-dining-in-perth/
If this isn't enough to fill Good Food Month for you, here are another top five restaurants you must visit.
Wildflower
Wildflower rooftop restaurant is an excellent choice for an exquisite evening during Good Food Month. Perth's luxurious Como The Treasury hotel has won a magnificent reputation since it opened in late 2015, as part of the State Buildings refurbishment.
Amongst the praise it has received is Wildflower, known for its fresh WA menu constructed around the six seasons of indigenous culture.
New head chef Matthew Sartori has taken up his position this year, just in time for Good Food Month, bringing an extensive knowledge of native ingredients and seasonal produce to continue the work established by outgoing Jed Gerrard.
Long Chim
From rooftop to basement, in the same State Buildings complex as Wildflower is the much loved Long Chim. Spend the evening in Thailand indulging in delicious street food, craft beers, matched wines and Thai themed cocktails. The skilled team incorporates local seafood into their authentic Thai flavours, and is happy to prepare anything from a snack to a banquet.
If you're keen to learn how to balance subtle flavours to achieve the taste of Thailand, be quick to join the cooking class on 13 April with head chef Lucas Fernandes - an absolute treat for Good Food Month.
Wild Swan @ Mandoon Estate
Spend some time in the Swan Valley during Good Food Month, Perth's home of artisan foods and fine wines.
At the stunning Mandoon Estate, sample the contemporary Australian cuisine of chefs Michael Hartnell and John Baxter, whose menus incorporate quality local produce such as Fremantle octopus, Shark Bay scallops, Donnybrook marron and Stirling Ranges beef. Dishes are designed to match Mandoon's award winning wines and craft beers for a holistic gourmet experience.
Manuka Woodfire Kitchen
Manuka is top of our list of pizzerias around Fremantle and Perth for Good Food Month. Head chef Kenny McHardy comes with Michelin starred restaurant experience and is responsible for the highly regarded Coco's in South Perth and The Garden in Leederville.
Now, he is continuing his passion for cooking with fire in Fremantle! Manuka's woodfire pizzas, seasonal produce and Italian hospitality add up to a fabulous night out for the whole family. Add WA wines, beers and ciders to authentic Italian flavours, and say yes to the dessert menu!
Rockpool Bar & Grill
The Rockpool falls under the mantle of well-known Australian chef Neil Perry, specialising in woodfire grilled beef steak, sourced directly from producers and dry-aged in-house. Plenty of other choices on the menu include pastas, vegetarian dishes and sustainable seafood.
The wine list runs into a cast of thousands, but don't worry - there are knowledgeable staff on hand to help you make a decision. For the best experience, opt for Neil Perry's Signature Tasting Menu with matched wines.
The Rockpool is located at Crown Perth, which has several restaurants offering quality cuisine - another great choice for Good Food Month.
