Bathers Beach House – Fremantle

Sunday afternoons are made for Fremantle. For me, they started in the early 1980’s, when my family would take a drive to Freo for some fish n chips, an ice cream and a wander around the markets. Little has changed. Though these days, the food choice at the Fishing Boat Harbour has changed dramatically from what was a simple choice between “Kailis or Cicerellos”.

Bathers Beach House is found in the building opposite Bathers Beach, where McDonalds was for many years. There’s not much to remind you that it was once home to the golden arches – though they have up-cycled their wooden deking, as cladding for a rustic feature wall. Look closely and you might see a pickle stain!

Bathers Beach House is one of the very few restaurants in the Perth metro area with an absolute beachfront view. If you like the sand between your toes there are sun loungers on the beach too. Inside, the modern restaurant is light and bright, with a wall of windows giving views out to the Indian Ocean. We gaze at a huge pelican surfing the waves, searching for a feed of fish.

I too feel like eating seafood. I look over the menu, which has a mostly casual, Modern Australian feel to it. Looking around the dining room it appears that many people are grazing. The share plates also double as starters. Chef and I chose an entree each, feeling like a more traditional “3 course” Sunday lunch.

The drinks menu is sizable and has plenty of local wines available. Searching for a little bit of summer, I choose a tipple from one of my favourite wineries, a Voyager Sangria ($10). The delicious mocktail is made from fruity Voyager Estate red grape juice, monin sangria syrup and freshly cut fruits.

Bacon hock, vintage cheddar & mustard Croquettes ($12) are crisp on the outside and wonderfully gooey on the inside. The tasty morsels have smoky notes and creamed cauliflower for dipping compliments the croquettes well.

I relish the caramelised belly of pork ($14). Though it’s not topped with crackle (an absolute weakness of mine) it is still very crisp. The moist meat sits upon sautéed bok choi, crisp nashi pear and is finished with a mouth-watering star anise reduction. Through the reduction are tiny specks of crackle, adding texture to the dish, though I would have preferred that it was left whole.

Little Chef gets his lunch served as our entrees come out. There is a good kids menu, made from quality ingredients. For $10 as well as his tasty fish and chips a drink and soft serve ice cream were included.

Chef enjoys the Flamed 200g brioche beef burger ($19) which is certainly much better than McDonald’s! The tender burger is layered with swiss cheese, cos lettuce, tomato, pickles & BBQ sauce and is served with a side of fries.

Seared salmon ($32) is served with creamed saffron potatoes and a curry spiced mussel & butternut chowder. This gluten free dish should please those with food intolerances, it is a little different and ticks all the boxes. I get my seafood fix – the salmon cooked perfectly medium rare and though I think the kitchen could have been a little more generous with the amount of plump muscles served.

We share a vanilla bean panna cotta ($12) for dessert. The panna cotta is as wobbly as it should be. The grenadine poached rhubarb gives a sharp contrast to the subtle vanilla. Unfortunately, the ginger snap doesn’t snap. It is far too thick and soggy. A disappointing end to what is otherwise a pleasant lunch.

Whilst nothing knocks our socks off, except for the view, the entire experience makes me think what an enjoyable venue Bathers Beach House is. The food is mostly good, the service is friendly – it will definitely be a spot to be seen at this summer.

*** First Published in the Post Newspaper***

At a glance

■ Bathers Beach House

47 Mews Road

Fremantle

Phone 9335 2911

■ Opening times

Weekdays – 11am till late

Weekends – 8am till late

■ Rating

food 3

service 4

ambience 4

value for money 3

■ style – Modern Australian

■ wine –many WA and

Interstate wines available.

■ Chef – Ross Tyre

■ Owner – Anthony Unmack

■ feel – cool coastal

■ wheelchair access – yes

■ cost

Entree – $8 to $72

Mains – $18 to $36

Dessert – $12 to $26

■ all in all – Friendly service,

modern venue & well cooked

food with a beautiful coastal vista.