BITES

MOST hospitality operators would agree that finding a good lease isn't easy in Perth these days, especially in prime locations.

Tsunami owner-operator Brett Carboni doesn't have to worry about this anymore, as he just bought the site of his restaurant for more than $1.5 million.

After Tsunami's 10-year lease ran out earlier this year the property, which is located on Glyde Street in Mosman Park, was put on the market.

Mr Carboni says that, although he wanted to retain his current premises, he had a look around for a new venue and even put an unsuccessful bid for the Oyster Bar Mead's Mosman Bay.

Mr Carboni says he is looking to expand the restaurant thanks to some additional land that was included in the sale of the property.

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The popular Brisbane Hotel released its new summer menu last week.

Signature dishes include the slow-cooked lamp rump with fig and raisin couscous, prawn pad Thai with pork belly salad, crispy skin barramundi with green papaya salad and rocky road marquis.

Head chef Anthony Schell will continue to offer the chef's specials, which was added to the Brisbane's menu this winter, with chicken liver parfait, brioche with fig chutney and beef carpaccio, baby capers, shaved parmesan with truffle oil expected to be on the blackboard.

The Highgate venue claimed its third 'Hotel of the Year' award at the Australian Bar Awards this year.

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The Perth Chilli Festival has been announced a finalist in the 'Festivals & Events' category of the forthcoming 2008 Western Australian Tourism Awards.

The festival, which takes places in the Araluen Botanic Park each year, features the culinary and cultural aspects of chillies and features a diverse range of stallholders and entertainment.

All winners and medallists will be announced at a gala dinner to be held on the evening of Saturday November 29 at the Burswood Entertainment Complex grand ballroom.