Catching up over fritters at Gordon Street Garage

One thing I love about weekends is catching up with friends over a meal - preferably breakfast since it's not something I can go out for during the week. This weekend I was due a catchup with my friend Carlie, so we booked in a date to have brekky at some place different to our normal haunt (Sayers). She was keen to try Gordon Street Garage, Tuck Shop or Typika - all of which I've been to, but hadn't tried breakfast at Gordon Street. 

We arrive at 10am and to my surprise we actually get a table straight away. Since my normal breakfast places tend to involve me waiting in line for 15 or so minutes, it's a treat getting in immediately. 

I've only been here for dinner before, and I'm pleased to note how different the setting is during the day. It's bright and airy, with sunshine streaming in through the windows and highlighting the wooden tables and shelves. 

Carlie and I get straight into the menu in between our non-stop babbling, with her stopping only to order a Latte ($4) and myself choosing my normal breakfast beverage, a Freshly Squeezed OJ ($7). Her drink comes out with a pretty leaf design, the liquid steaming as she takes a sip. It's declared delicious and I'm happy to see that our breakfast meal is starting off on a good foot.

We've both looked online at the food menu but as seems to be the case anywhere I eat these days, the actual menu is slightly different. But we don't mind, scanning the choices and discussing which we think will be the most delicious.

Carlie is torn for a short while, but in the end decides on the Corn Fritters with Roasted Tomato and Fried Haloumi Salad ($17). It comes out on a whimsical blue china pattern plate, the corn fritters golden and drool-worthy.

They're crunchy and sweet, with nice bursts of freshness from the accompanying vegetables. We both love haloumi so I'm envious as she munches away on the salty and what my mum often refers to as 'squeaky' cheese. If anything, the only thing that's probably missing is a poached egg - it would have perfectly complimented the overall flavours and textures to a tee.

While there's definitely some amazing sounding dishes on the menu, I decide to be somewhat boring and opt for the Bacon and Eggs ($17). I've been a little off bacon for the last few months, but it looks like I'm back on the bandwagon! I choose to have my eggs scrambled, though in hindsight I probably should have got poached since I make scrambled often at home.

The bacon is salty and delicious; a relief to my hungry tastebuds. It's just the right amount of fat, and works well with the creamy and smoothly textured eggs. I'm not a big bread eater but the few bites I munch away from the sourdough toast go down a treat. Crunchy, springy and fresh. But filling! Which is why I skip the bread and concentrate on the other items on my plate which are so satisfyingly enjoyable.

It's only when we've started eating that we realise my orange juice hasn't arrived as yet. Since Carlie's craving a second coffee, we chase down our waiter who apologises and tells us there's a back order of juice. We take this opportunity to ask for some water, which I'm surprised isn't provided automatically since the service is actually quite good here. 

A few minutes later my juice arrives and it looks amazing. It's pulpy and sweet, the flavour just sour enough to give that great freshly squeezed taste. It feels like the perfect accompaniment to my meal. 

I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant of what to expect for our meal at Gordon Street Garage. I've heard from others that it's gone downhill, but I'd actually say it's just the opposite. I enjoyed breakfast there greatly, from the food to the service. It is a little on the pricey side, but it seems all things in Perth these days are. And now, I have another eatery to add to the list of places to go to when catching up with friends.