Perth Voice Interactive

I KNEW I’d been sprung when a customer sidled up, whispering “you’re doing a review aren’t you?”. What can you do but smile and agree.

“This place is like a slice of Italy,” the Italian woman and her daughter, obviously regulars, happily shared.

I’d already noticed that Fiorentina had a wonderful neighbourly vein running through its trendy decor, confirmed when the guy behind the counter had a loud chat with an old bloke wandering home with groceries. He too was obviously a regular.

But friendly service isn’t reserved for old-hands.

We were warmly welcomed and, before our bums had hit the seats, a waiter was on hand with water and a cheery smile.

“This place is like a slice of Italy,”

There’s plenty of choice, either from the cabinet with its mouth-watering display of rolls, or from the expansive specials board, with dishes such as beef ravioli ($17.50) and steak sandwich (a seared scotch fillet with tomato relish, bacon, cheese tomato and mixed greens on a house foccacia) ($19.50).

It was the pasta of the day ($17.50) that caught my eye, and what a catch it was.

The fresh linguini was wonderfully oily and flavoursome, laced with blue swimmer crab meat and with just the right amount of fresh chilli, herbs and white wine, surrounded by warm cherry tomatoes.

It was love at first bite and, although the serve was generous, I wanted more as I gazed forlornly at the empty plate, bottom lip quivering.

My lunch companion wasn’t disappointed in her Moroccan chickpea dish ($15.50): the spiced chickpeas were laced with toasted mustard seeds and had a delightful but subtle smokiness to them. The poached eggs on top were cooked to runny perfection, she declared.

The cake cabinet at Fiorentina is a glorious display of colour and textures, with an array sure to tempt any appetite.

As I bit into a small tart topped with the last of summer’s figs ($4.50) I was transported by its rich creamy filling and sweet fig slices, ably assisted by a particularly fine long black coffee ($4).

My mate had a passionfruit-topped cheese cake ($4.50) and was smiling from ear to ear. And she raved about her cappuccino ($4).

Fiorentina is part of the thriving hub that Angove Street, North Perth has become.

So we walked off our lunch excesses with a browse in some of the groovy shops nearby. Unfortunately the Voice’s food reviewing budget doesn’t extend to neighbouring boutiques, a grotesque failure of management.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Fiorentina
44 Angove Street,
North Perth
9328 7442
open 7 day 6.30am–5pm