Taka’s rises in east

The proprietors of popular Shafto Lane restaurant Taka’s Kitchen are opening another restaurant in Perth, located on the corner of Wellington and Barrack streets.

The site has changed hands a number of times but the owners of Taka’s Kitchen think their Japanese cuisine and service will prove popular on the other side of town.

According to Aki Nukumizu, whose parents own Taka’s Kitchen, the east-end site will be opening in a few weeks. Taka’s Kitchen also operates two food court-style shops in Perth.

There’s been uproar by diners in Geraldton over a recent decision by the council to refuse an application from the proprietors of popular Italian restaurant, Topolinis Caffe, to use two car bays at its entrance for alfresco dining in the evenings.

Topolinis Caffe co-owner Dennis Pearce says many customers had phoned him to voice their support for his cause.

“We wanted to use the car bays from 6pm for proper alfresco dining. We don’t have it here at the moment; some places have verandas or pavement but sitting out in the car bays is proper alfresco dining, it would be like Little Bourke Street in Melbourne. But the council reckons they need the car bays,” he says.

“I’ve had people ring me [after the decision] and tell me that they couldn’t believe it and think it would be great.”

In fact a group of diners recently protested against the decision by bringing their own tables and chairs and setting them up on the car bays in question.

Eight councillors voted against the application because of a lack of parking and safety for consumers.

But according to Mr Pearce, he, his staff and the local paper have been inundated with support for the idea, support, which he believes will prompt the councillors to revise their initial decision.

Umberto Tinelli will open the cafe at JoJo’s River Restaurant in a matter of weeks. Mr Tinelli acquired the restaurant earlier this year after it had been placed into administration by a secured creditor of former proprietor, Shane King.

Mr Tinelli has spent the past few months renovating the establishment, which will also provide function facilities. He says while the cafe will be ready in a few weeks, the function room won’t be operating until next year.

Slow Food WA will host its third and biggest growers’ market at the end of the month.

To be held on Saturday October 30, the market will be a showcase event for the West End Festival, which starts on Monday October 18 and concludes on Sunday October 31.

Slow Food WA will transform the QV1 plaza into a fresh producers’ market from 12-4pm.

West End Festival chair Tony Pallotta expects about 30 to 50 producers to showcase their produce, from cheeses to flour to organic veggies.

“Slow Food WA Farmer’s Market will bring the freshest produce direct to the people and, by cutting out the middle-man, customers can buy produce at a fraction of store prices,” Mr Pallotta says. 

Dandaragan Estate, Berry Farm, York Olive Oil, Cloverdene Organic Dairy, and Kurvella are just a few of those scheduled to attend and there will be cooking demonstrations throughout the day. There are also a stack of other events planned for the West End Festival, so just head towards the QV1 and check it out.

Cape Lodge is launching a gourmet food market to be held on its grounds starting on the weekend of October 30 and 31. There will be local wine makers, food producers and food and wine enthusiasts providing epicurean workshops, tutored tastings, and degustation wine dinners.

Events include a cooking class to be held by Cape Lodge chef Tony Howell, the Cheeses of the World Master Class presented by Blue Cow Cheese Company’s Nick Bath, or private tour of the incredible rose garden at Laurance Vineyard. There’s a tutored tasting of Vasse Felix wines, a coffee class, and, if that hasn’t exhausted the foodie within each of us, the Cape Mentelle Winemaker’s dinner will be held on the Saturday evening.

The busy organisers at Cape Lodge anticipate hosting four to six gourmet weekends throughout the year.