Perth Voice Interactive

by JENNY D’ANGER

HAVING committed to lunch at Guzman Y Gomez in Mt Lawley my companion and I were having second thoughts as we took in the slick, fast-food style decor and service.

“Mexican Maccas?” we shuddered.

A margarita slushy ($10) mollified our wavering resolve to cut and run, but we were rather aghast when mere minutes later a couple of tightly wrapped alfoil parcels, each the size of a policeman’s truncheon, were plonked on the table—in recyclable cardboard.

Peeling back the foil I sniffed tentatively, before throwing caution to the wind and chomping into my barramundi fajita ($13.90).

And was very pleasantly surprised to discover it was delicious, the chunks of fish firm but well-cooked, the garlic and lime sauce really good, and the fajita it was wrapped in soft and chewy as it should be.

My mate had chosen the beef enchiladas ($15.90) a massive offering of burrito topped with salsa, melted cheese, guacamole and corn chips.

We both came up smiling and licking our fingers after managing to polish off the huge serves. And the free tubs of sauces, chillies and onions were a great touch.

GYG takes fast food to a whole new level, not so much a step up from Maccas as a pole vault, but still not quite a la carte cafe standard and certainly not restaurant-level.

But at these prices I can see it definitely being a lunch hit for workers, with the appeal likely to crimp the profits of multinational slopstore franchises.

In need of a coffee my mate and I wandered across the road to Scents of Taste, a great little French patisserie on Walcott Street, and in total cultural contrast to G Y G.

A small almond pastry ($4.50) had enough sugar to satisfy without being overwhelming, and was the perfect accompaniment to a really good long black.

My mate went for a chocolate, cherry, caramel cake ($7.50).

“You know something is rich when a chocolate mousse lightens it,” she sighed in perfect contentment.

Guzman Y Gomez
644 Beaufort Street,
Mt Lawley
open 7 days lunch and dinner

Scents of Taste
80 Walcott Street, Mt Lawley
open Tues–Sun for breakfast and lunch