Perth Voice Interactive

STAFF gently shooed off the pigeon wandering into this iconic Leederville eatery.

“That’s Frank,” they cooed good-naturedly as the feathered visitor exited.

Giardini was a welcome relief from the noise and crush of the uber-groovy cafe we’d been planning to visit.

Ear drums reverberating, we’d fled that confining space to this spacious—and quiet—oasis with its warm welcome.

One black mark was the lack of a ramp for mum’s wheelchair, but by the time we’d left staff had installed a portable version and helped us navigate the small step.

Giardini gets a bit of a serve online but our party of three had nothing but good things to say, from the friendly and attentive service, very enjoyable food, and the old-style Italian decor, including mandatory central fountain.

chunks of tender fish and prawns swimming in a rich and spicy sauce…

My sister, who lives in London enjoying the high life and dining out more than she eats in, loved her red curry ($29).

She enthused over chunks of tender fish and prawns swimming in a rich and spicy sauce and reckoned she hadn’t tasted the like in Blighty, the world’s curry capital.

I’d promised mum her favourite garlic prawns but they’d been taken off the menu, leaving her crestfallen.

A word in the chef’s shell-like ear and mum’s world was put to rights, soon digging into a brimming bowl of succulent prawns in creamy garlic sauce ($29).

The last member of our trio wolfed down her squid ($14, entree) to sounds of pure contentment. The entree serve was more than enough for lunch–especially as we’d ordered chips ($5): the tender pieces of squid, with their crunchy coating of batter laced with coriander were delicious.

A round of really good coffees put the icing on the cake of a wonderful meal, proving once again you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the net.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Giardini
135 Oxford Street,
Leederville
9242 2602
Open Tues-Sun
7.30am–10pm
Licensed