Perth Voice Interactive

A  SMASHING good time can be had at Piccolo’s Corner, with both smashed pumpkin and smashed avocado on the menu.

This little eatery is tucked away in the leafy suburban streets of West Leederville, and is well worth the effort to find it. Just be respectful if you’re driving, as parking is causing a bit of tension in the ‘hood and smashed side mirrors are not recommended.

When the owners were at primary school this former corner deli was where they’d head, clutching their 20c pieces to buy lollies from the jay on the counter.

The decor is retro-chic, an eclectic mix of kitsch, raw brick, pressed tin ceiling, concrete floor and hanging baskets of greenery.

I’d rocked up a couple of Saturdays ago, took one look at the queue and decided to return mid-week when it was quieter. I doubt this joint is ever really quiet, but with street seating, indoor seating and a gorgeous garden on the side, we were in luck.

The eatery’s menu doesn’t rely on the usual suspects, although sticklers for habit will happily find a big breakfast ($17.50) and there’s also home-made beans with chorizo and poached egg.

The intriguing smashed pumpkin with Danish fetta and wilted spinach, on ciabatta and also with a poached egg can be yours for $17.50.

Our thirst quenched by a couple of really good fresh squeezed juices, we got down to the serious business at hand.

My brunch companion couldn’t go past the smashed avo with balsamic glaze and poached egg ($19). The large serve almost stopped her in her tracks, the creamy fruit rich and fresh and, despite her mouth zinging from the peppery heat of chorizo, she was smiling over how much of it was piled on the plate.

I went with the mushroom bruschetta ($19) and found myself almost licking the plate. Garlic infused mushies were fantastic, the Danish fetta wonderfully salty and onion jam had my mouth singing a chorus from Aida.

I’ve long considered that whomever said you can’t have too much of a good thing to be a genius, so we ordered cake. It was so far past breakfast, we figured it was morning tea time.

The house-made pistachio and lime ($7.50) was great for a rather full tummy, being light and not overly sweet. My mate is made of sterner stuff and went for the chocolate torte ($7.50), which she described as like “eating chocolate silk”.

“This could be the best cake I have ever eaten,” she sighed in perfect contentment, finding the time to sip happily at a very fine coffee.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Piccolo’s Corner
58 St Leonard’s Avenue,
West Leederville
open Tues–Fri 7am–5pm,
Sat/Sun 8am–2pm