Perth Voice Interactive

MUM was barely registering the demands of her three-year-old, but eventually said “you can have a biscuit in the car”.

“Not again,” he groaned in disgust.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, thinking “it’s dinner and a show” sitting outside Mamalilli in Maylands, as an assortment of young tackers piled out of a music program at The Rise.

Still in the moment, they tumbled puppy-like over the stretch of lawn and balanced on the limestone terraces of the parkland, adding to my enjoyment of waiting for my lunch companion.

A gourmet vegetarian sausage roll ($7) in the display cabinet won me over, and my usually slow-to-choose mate took one look at the burger ($10.50) and that was it.

Feeling guilty about last week’s chip episode, we both ordered a garden salad ($4) instead.

It’s not often one feels like licking the salad bowl once all the crisp fresh lettuce, tomato and cucumber has gone, but this dressing was that good.

My mate’s burger was the old-fashioned sort, a huge, housemade pattie, topped by melted cheese and bacon, that left him feeling good about life and set for the rest of the day.

A light crisp pastry encased the flavoursome vegie innards of my “sausage” roll, which was filling, but not heavy.

Upon hearing the limited sweet selection included ginger cake ($4) we switched from banana bread to that.

Lucky for us a mix up in the order saw both delivered.

Warm and moist they were great, but the ginger cake reached culinary heights unexpected, with a pleasant ginger zing and a slight caramel chewiness to the crust.

Mamalilli was named for chef and co-owner owner James Archer’s mum, wife Deborah says, telling us mother’s love and food are synonymous.

“She was a real mum, and we are passionate about food.”

James, a five-star chef with a background in hotels, makes most of the food in the tiny kitchen.

Complimenting Deborah for my smooth, rich coffee she tells me it’s a fresh-roasted three-bean blend from Antz Pantz, whose owner started Muzz Buzz.

“He is to coffee as a chef is to food.”

by JENNY D’ANGER

Mamalilli Cafe and Catering
28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
open Mon 8am–2pm, Tues–Fri 8am–3pm