Perth, Australia: 5 Hot Restaurants, 1 Super-Cool Bar

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Fried lamb brains with polenta and black truffle at Andaluz in Perth, Australia (photo by Brad A Johnson)

You don’t hear much about Perth. But that’s about to change. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia — thanks to a booming mining industry, Perth boasts the strongest regional economies in the country. Everyone here is flush with cash. (It feels a bit like San Francisco during the late ’90s dotcom gold rush.)  Continue reading

Squatting in Australia: What’s Up With The Stools?

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Tiny plastic stools at Chin Chin in Melbourne (photo by Brad A Johnson)

Hey Australia, what’s up with all those tiny stools? Got something against real chairs? 

Here’s a trend I couldn’t help but notice in Australia: tiny stools instead of chairs for the alfresco dining areas at bars and restaurants across the country. I’ve frequently squated on these sorts of stools in Southeast Asia, in dark alleyways and on crowded city sidewalks, where streetfood was being served by plucky owners who couldn’t afford a real brick-and-mortar shop. In cases such as that, the stools made perfect sense. But in rich, modern Australia, these little less-than-knee-high stools are being used in trendy, swanky and often very expensive restaurants and bars in chic, upmarket neighborhoods—inside and out!  Continue reading

Before & After: Andaluz Tapas Bar, Perth, Australia

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Before: Sardines at Andaluz in Perth, Australia (Photo by Brad A Johnson)

You’re looking at some incredible pan-fried sardines from Andaluz, a sexy little tapas bar in Perth, Australia. This is such a simple, rustic and immensely satisfying dish. This is the “before” shot. And here’s the “after”…  Continue reading