COVID restrictions were in full force when the Voice visited Kinky Lizard Espresso Bar in East Perth a couple of weeks ago.

Chairs were stacked on tables and there were only a handful of spaces inside the small eatery, but luckily I managed to bag a spot near the window.  

Despite everything, the cafe was doing a roaring trade with loads of office workers coming in for takeaway lunches and people sitting outside in the alfresco where restrictions weren’t as severe.

Kinky Lizard must be doing something right: they have two more cafes in the CBD and Applecross, and have been around for more than a decade.

But this review didn’t get off to the best of starts – the staff were a bit indifferent and took their time to come to the counter. 

I appreciate they could have been busy, but some eye contact and “I’ll be with you in a minute” would have set a more friendly tone.

The menu had a nice range of all day breakfast dishes with everything from porridge to candy waffles, as well as lunch dishes, sides, cakes and smoothies.

There was also a display cabinet with sandwiches, bagels and a chalkboard with daily specials, so everything was pretty much covered.

I couldn’t go past the wild mushrooms with egg ($21)  and asked for it poached instead of fried.

While I was waiting for my meal, I enjoyed a pressed “bazinga” juice ($9) which was refreshing if a little on the watery side and not the biggest I’ve ever had for that price.

But it did have a nice balance of apple, lime, pineapple, ginger and carrot.

The Kinky Lizard had a lovely stone courtyard and lots of wood panelling inside, creating the feel of a cosy Swiss cabin or a giant sauna (thankfully no one was walking about in the nudie rudie).

It wasn’t long before the kitchen hand was at my table with the wild funghi.

“Wow!” was my first impression.

Fantastic presentation with the poached egg drizzled with balsamic vinegar and perched precariously on a bed of velvety mushrooms and sourdough bread.

Completing the pretty picture was a slightly sweet orange swirl and dainty blobs of feta cheese.

I’m happy to say it tasted as good as it looked with the core of the dish, the mushroom medley, incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked with a lovely meaty texture.

The rocket and feta was the perfect sharp-creamy mix and the balsamic swirl added a lovely richness.

The toast was spot on too and the poached egg the perfect consistency.

It’s the best mushroom dish I’ve ever had in a cafe. I’ll definitely be back to try some of the other delights on offer.

Kinky Lizard Espresso Bar
78a/20 Royal Street, Perth
kinkylizard.com.au

by STEPHEN POLLOCK