Perth Voice Interactive

I WAS loitering outside an erotic massage parlour in West Leederville in broad daylight.

Not the best look for a middle-aged man on a Tuesday morning at 11:30am.

But there was mitigating circumstances – I was trying to find Goods Bakery and got lost.

Turns out the bakery is a few doors down from the massage parlour, which still has its signage but relocated to Northbridge a while back (honest, Google told me).

Thankfully the bakery was a classy affair and I felt instant ablution when I walked inside.

It was an ode to minimalism with cool white plastic everywhere and sleek display cabinets and tables. 

The very definition of a hipster bakery with not a puff of stray flour in sight.

They sold a wide range of fresh bread, pies, toasted sandwiches, cakes, focaccia and fancy savouries, as well as some small goods like anchovies, preserved lemons, olive oil and espresso beans.  

There was a small dining area next to the window or you could get a takeaway.

I couldn’t go past their delicious-looking pies and ordered the beef and stout, despite being intrigued by the eggplant curry. 

The lid of the pie had a golden, buttery hue and I couldn’t wait to tuck in.

It tasted as good as it looked with the flaky puff pastry giving way to hearty chunks of tender beef.

The moreish filling was reminiscent of a steak pie from the UK, with a subtle hint of sweetness from the stout. 

Importantly it held together nicely and had that homemade vibe (I’ll be back to try the eggplant curry).

Goods had a range of focaccia with interesting toppings including one with confit garlic, potatoes and parmesan.

I fancied the tomato sugo, roasted capsicum, olives and crumbed feta ($6.50).

It was a good decision – the chunky doorstop of bread looked like it could sink a battleship, but it was light as a feather.

The sugo and capsicum added a savoury twist, while the olives and feta created that classic flavour combo. Very tasty and filling.

My young kids Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles shared a cheese and ham sourdough sandwich (toasted $13.50).

It was a large, high-quality affair with tasty ham, Swiss cheese, tomato and herbs.

The kids wolfed it down and especially enjoyed the gooey, mild cheese. Bringing up the rear was my wife Special K, who was tucking into her Reuben toasted sandwich ($14.50).

“The sourdough bread is delicious and has a lovely crunchy crust,” she noted.

“A while ago I would have balked at paying $14 for a toastie, but this is crammed with slices of tender meat and has delicious but subtle toppings.

“The melted cheese is addictive and it’s a rustic treat with high-quality ingredients.”

I rounded off the meal with a large cappuccino ($5.50).

I don’t like my coffee too strong and this was a pleasing, mild number that hit the spot.

Goods Bakery is a bit of a hidden gem and definitely worth a visit if you’re in West Leederville (it’s just down the hill from Mannys Music on Loftus Street).

The eatery occupies the twilight zone between bakery and sleek cafe, with pleasant service to boot.

So like the old massage parlour nearby, this story had a happy ending.

Goods Bakery
11 Oxford Close, West Leederville
instagram.com/_goodsbakery

by STEPHEN POLLOCK