Salsa's Fresh Mexican Grill (Mt Lawley, Perth WA) (Closed down)

568 Beaufort St
Mount Lawley Western Australia 6050
(08) 2289 627
Hours:
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Recently open, Salsa's Mt Lawley is another addition to the Fast Food Mexican Wave spreading around Perth. Salsa's is a fast food franchise owned by the same company as owns Boost Juice, and they have an emphasis on fresh fast Mexican food. Salsa's  offers a selection of Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, nachos, snacks and Mexican bowls.

The best thing I have tried there is their street tacos (carnitas, chicken chipotle, and Habanero steak) with soft flour tortillas, and they are way better, bigger, tastier and fresher than those prepared in other similar places in Perth. To my surprise, they were beyond average, truly tasty and delicious.

 

Other things like the supposed fajitas (which are burritos) or the fries are completely forgettable, tasteless, and not worth the money. Burritos are better at Zambreros, really.

Portions are decent, and prices are terrific.

The have a selection of soft drinks, including Mexican "Jarritas" (sugary soft drinks). No alcoholic drinks yet. BYO.

The place is functional and spacious, pleasant and well ventilated.

The staff are really friendly and welcoming. I have visited several times, and they have been consistently nice.

They are still waiting for the alcohol license and for the Town of Vincent permit to enlarge their seating area, which is small.

MIND
They have Tuesday Tacos (soft or hard) at 1.95 bucks. However, they are smaller and less well prepared than the ones I tried the first day I visited.

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The Gallery of WA's Exhibitions Lighting

Every time I visit one of the paid exhibitions at the Art Gallery of WA, I leave wondering why the Art Gallery people seem oblivious to what I call fatal flaws in an exhibition.

We leave in an isolated part of the world, off the beaten track for most cultural events. Now that our State's economy is booming, there is a demand for Art. More precisely, a demand for conventional traditional classic Art. Masters of the Past. Historical Pieces. Pieces exhibited in big Museums overseas. The problem with some of the paid exhibitions is that, many times, the material we get is the one other galleries want to lend us, not what we would like to see, or what is excellent. Still, this is better than nothing, and a sort of luxury we have to pay for.

Now, we have the flashy exhibition and the masterpieces, and what does the Gallery to exhibit them? Let me think. Hanging the pieces from the wall. Having paid information earphones. Having security people around. Controlling the access to the paid area...  

How many times have you seen the image of a bulb (or two) reflected on a canvas in a way that affected your viewing of it no matter how much you moved around it? This was the case in the last two paid exhibitions I have visited: the Picasso to Warhol exhibition, and the Picturing New York.

Both of them had the same problem. Lighting was bad. What I call bad? 
1/The lighting is not specifically adapted to the pieces exhibited, but the general one of the room with directional lights that are mediocre and work well for large format exhibition or rooms with a better layout. Therefore, the lighting reflects on the masterpiece, and it does not allow you to appreciate the colours, shapes, textures or images on display from a frontal point of view. 
2/ The glass used in the frames is not mate but glossy glass, so it reflects the lights, and the framed piece becomes a mirror where you see yourself (and the rest of the room) reflected. See, as an example, the image that accompanies this entry. Hello, me! Most of the photos hanging from the wall had the same problem, although some of them were less affected than others.

This would not be a problem, if were talking about an independent money-lacking exhibition or institution. However, this is the Art Gallery of Western Australia, and these are paid exhibitions. Our ticket should serve to have the pieces better exhibited, no? However, adjusting lighting and glass panels would cost more money and would take more effort. How is possible that the curators of the Gallery and the original owners of the pieces do not care about this? Perhaps because everybody seems to be content with the poor display, no matter the quality of the piece exhibited. Nobody seems to be complaining in Perth, Art critics, newspapers or the general public. So no one is making an effort to change it. My guess.

If I pay for an exhibition, I expect it to be exhibited in a way that honours the artists and pieces on display. Otherwise, I leave, as I did last time, feeling that I should have paid for the Catalogue; at least there the the pieces are beautifully photographed and can be appreciated properly. This is a bit sad, really. Especially because some of the pieces hanging from the walls are fantastic.

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"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" by Terry Gilliam (2009)

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is Gilliam's return to his old and most playful self with an extravagant modern Fausto-inspired, cirque-looking, fairytale full of magic.

The movie tells the story of a travelling "Magic show" troupe, led by old Dr Parnassus, who gambled his daughter Valentina with the Devil thousands of years ago, and what happens when a charming roguish Tony start romancing her, and the Devil wants to claim his prize.

The acting is very good, especially on the part of Christopher Plummer, who is truly terrific as Dr Parnassus, as well as Tom Waits as the Devil. This was Heath Ledger's last film, and he is good in his portray of the naughty, nervous and charming Tony. Also good is Andrew Garfield as the good-natured but jealous Anton, and Verne Troyer as the little bright Percy. Supermodel Lily Cole is just OK as the homey dreamer devoted daughter Valentina; not bad for for a first timer.

The parts of Tony behind the mirror, which had to be played by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell after Hedger's death, are cleverly used and well performed. The two first actors really keep in tune with Ledger's performance, body language and even the inflexions of his voice. The story is extremely believable without Hedger as what happens inside the mirror is a fantasy and projection, not a reflection of reality.

The images, costumes, sets, colours, and dream-like images of the film are spectacular, full of creativity and artistry; they are an intrinsic part of the story, never an indulging showy element. Is the heart and soul of the movie what captivates the viewer, not the special effects. One feels immediately drawn by the magic mirror to a world of enthralling fantasy that the viewer would also like to experience.

I found the end of the movie a little bit rushed, and Dr Parnassus's past  underdeveloped, and, well, everything a bit predictable.
 

This is a very enjoyable entertaining film with a good story, amazing creativity and decent acting. I would say it is a chick flick, in many ways, but I have found many men liking the movie, so it is also a blokey flick for some type of blokes.

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Simone Pérèle Outlet (Harbor Town, Perth WA)

Harbour Town
840 Wellington Rd
West Perth Western Australia 6005
(08) 9481 2345
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Opening Hours
   Mo-Thu: 9-17.30
   Fri: 9-21
   Sat: 9-17
   Sun: 11-17

Simon Pérèle is the quintessence of femininity and class in the underwear world, perhaps because it is a brand created by a female corset maker, who knew what I woman wants and needs. Their lingerie is colourful, delicate, classy, sexy, with attention to the detail, and enhancing of your body assets. I do not know you, but I would like to wear Simon Pérèle every day if I could afford it. 

The Simone Pérèle Outlet at Harbour Town Perth has provided me with innumerable moments of "ohmygoshness" and delight in the last three years. Even with the discount, the pieces are pricey, but they are affordable enough to feed your inner "hottie" now and then. They have regular discounts on full-priced items and on discounted ones, too, so it is a matter of being lucky when you visit, or visiting often to find real bargains. The cheapest prices are always on the items at the entrance racks. You get 15% off full priced items when you spend +50 bucks, which is easy.

The shop always has a mix range of styles, colours and prices, from the boring shapewear and invisible items to the movie-star-like lingerie. As in any outlet shop, finding your size might be a problem, or finding the matching pants of the bra of your choice, too.

The shop has four theatrically curtained spacious fitting rooms, which I love, but the space between racks is a bit narrow and uncomfortable to browse.

The staff members have always been helpful and welcoming. They let you browse around if that is what you want, or will give you a personalised attention if you decide to try anything, and they are very good helping with finding your perfect fit bra.

The shop has a VIP system that will inform you of discounts, exclusive events, and will give you a voucher for your birthday.

Simone Pérèle Outlet is one of my must fashion stops at Harbour Town Perth, together with the Oroton and Alanah Hill outlets. They always make my day.

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"Caramel"‎ by Nadine Labaki (2007)

‎Caramel is a Lebanon-France co-production with a charming story of female love, friendship and ageing. The story focus on the love lives of a group of young and middle-age Beiruti women who are regulars at a hair & beauty salon.

The movie mixes romance, humour and sadness with simplicity, warmth, and heart under the fresh direction of young director Nadine Labaki, who also plays the leading character.

The movie shoes a multifaceted image of Beirut and its dwellers, a city that is complex, diverse and rich in culture. Far from the stereotypes about the Midle East that we find in Western movies, Labaki is a local who knows her city, and brings to the screen the rawness and charm of everyday Beirut and of its dwellers. The movie has an honest and respectful approach to the interaction between Christians and Muslims, and how different social groups and genders relate in Lebanon.

The movie was shot in warm caramel tones, which is the colour of the home-made sugar wax traditionally used in Lebanon for waxing.

The music is a warm and sentimental mix of French and Arabic songs. Truly fantastic, but also very melancholic.

All the actors are terrific in their performances: Yasmine Elmasri as the modern Muslim girl Nisrine, who is going to get married; Joanna Moukarzel as the boyish Lesbian Rima; Gisèle Aouad as the aging divorced actress Jamale; Nadine Labaki as Layale, a good-hearted girl in love with a bad man; Adel Karam as the sweet policeman Youssef enamoured of Layale; Sihame Haddad as the patient and shy single tailor Rose, and Aziza Semaan as an impressive demented Lili.

Caramel is a heart-warming enjoyable chick flick, soapy at times, that offers a real portrait of life in Beirut and of Lebanese women. The story is narrated in an universal simple language, but breaks many stereotypes about religious confrontation in Lebanon and on how Middle Eastern Women think, feel or live.

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Esther's Cake Shop (Northbridge, Perth WA)

Shop 4, 364 William St
Northbridge WA 6003
(08) 9228 8783
Hours:
    Mon-Sun 8:00 - 20:00



If you like Asian cakes, buns and pastries on the go, Esther's bakery is a must stop on William St. You will notice the place if you walk along the street because of the lovely smell coming from the shop a few metres before you get there.

The shop itself it is very small, no specially charming, and mostly self-service. Nothing remarkable but for the lovely  sweet and savoury buns, cakes, cake slices, seasonal Chinese sweets, and some traditional European-style cakes and pastries they sell. As in many Asian cake shops, the sweets are mildly sweet, while the savoury stuff is a bit sweet. 

Most times, the pastries and buns are warm, just out of the oven. My fav things there are the mango crepes (with fresh mango and whipped cream, forget counting calories), the custard puffs, their sweet-savoury "odd" pizza slices (not for everybody as it is an odd mix of sweet and savory) and some of the cake slices.

THUMBS UP
Good prices.
Friendly service
Warm fresh stuff.
They open long hours, every day of the week.

THUMBS DOWN
No Efptos.
A place mostly for takeaways.
Some of the shop attendants have a limited English.
If you are not used to Asian bakeries, some of the stuff might taste odd. 

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Pimlott & Strand Café (North Perth, Perth WA) - CLOSED DOWN

Shop 21/391 Fitzgerald St
North Perth, WA 6006 

Ph: 08 9328 5002
Hours:
   Mon-Sat: 08:00 - 18:00
   Sun: 08:00 - 16:00

Website
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Pimlott & Strand is a new addition to the North Perth shopping Plaza. The place has an inner small but polished area with a a long common table, several individual tables, and a long decked table by the window; their alfresco area is quite big and spreads on the upper and lower footpaths. The ambience is relaxed, clean, and modern, with a nice mix of colours. They are an improved version of the old traditional continental deli you find anywhere, but more sophisticated and more expensive. They have a really nice selection of breads, cold meats, cheeses, and oil antipasti, plus a big selection of imported goodies.

Their blend of Bonissimo Coffee is very much my liking. Strong, flavoursome, not bitter. Good! Their ice coffee is also good and very tasty. Their selection of drinks is great, with plenty of flavoured sparkling waters, Bickfords beverages (try the sarsaparilla!) and organic juices to choose from.

 

Their cabinet food has a selection of already-made Italian favourites (arancini, lasagna, frittata, salads, and similar things), and some cooked casseroles, so they have never been appealing to me. I have tried their open sandwich, which was average, their pasta of the day, which was lovely, and the Atlantic Breakfast, which was great. Some of their sweets and savoury tarts are delicious, especially the gluten free macaroons, the tiramisu cup, and the Mediterranean savoury mini-tarts. I have never tried their breakfasts. Their menu of properly cooked food is limited, with classic favourites and Mediterranean ingredients - nothing wow, but nice enough to make you return.

 

Service is always terrific, with very welcoming, friendly, chatty and professional ladies behind the counter. The service was terrific at the beginning, but, unlike other places, their eagerness to please hasn't vanished, and the ladies at Pimlott are consistently delightful no matter how busy they are.

Pimlott & Strand is good place for takeaway coffee, antipasti, imported goodies, sweets and pannini. The relaxed atmosphere, the friendliness of the staff, the convenient location, and a selection of decent hot and cold food options explain why the place keeps a regular amount of patrons of all ages returning regularly.

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