12/03/2014

WTF Foodie Moment 6: Tough guys

--> I am having my lunch break.

-->  A bunch of tough-looking long-bearded guys arrive. They look tough. They look like a new wave of breaded bikies with a sprinkle of poshness.
 
--> They order.
 
--> They go outside.
 
(I am sure they are going to order something tough, something macho or at least manly, a long macch, a black coffee without sugar, something acid and caustic, meaty.)

--> Their order arrives... A green coloured organic juice.
 
WTF!

(WHERE? Babooshka Cafe, Northbridge)

WTF Foodie Moment 5: Morcilla Breaky

--> I am seating on a sunny Sunday, at one of my fav cafes. I have ordered the Morcilla Breaky.
--> A couple arrives and seats next table. Their table is separated five centimetres (literally) from mine.

--> My meal arrives. It looks Yum! I start eating. It tastes yummy.
--> He looks at me (meaning my morcilla breaky) mesmerized. Staring.
> (He tells her) it looks great, isn't it?
< (She tells him) Yes, you should order it.
--> (I keep munching)

--> (He keeps looking at me and/or my morcilla, or both. He does so several times).
--> (The friend they were waiting finally arrives and joins the party, and the waitress approaches their table)
> What are you having, guys?
< What is she having? ("she" is me! at barely 5 cms.)

--> (The whole table plus the confused waitress look at me. The waitress is lost for a moment as my breakfast is almost finished).

>> (I reply) The morcilla breaky....

--> (They ignore me. No Thank yous. They are too, how to put it... rude? obnoxious? What about the constant staring? What about talking about me and my morcilla as if we were mere projections on a screen and I was not there? What about learning to communicate using their vocal cords instead of their eyes and asking me directly from the very beginning?) 

--> What is wrong with you, WTF people?!

(WHERE? Cantina 663, Mt Lawley)

10/26/2014

Roe St Bus Station (Perth WA, Australia)


The Roe St Bus Station opened in January 2014 as a funny spin-off of the Wellington St Station, while the underground internationally designed station is being built. We will have this station operational for at least for two years, as the works are scheduled to finish in 2016

Located in a fantastic location on Roe St, this station services the bus lines tending to Perth's northern suburbs. What I love the most about it is how easy is to access the heart of the city from here: Train Station, William St, Forrest Place, Wellington St.

The place is more a jump on-jump off sort of place. There are a few information poles, a few covered seating benches, an information booth, and, surprise!, the buses. It is very Spartan, still functional with 12 bus stands, two of them devoted to replacement buses when any of the train lines stops. 

I don't understand why they have left one of the sides of the station almost bare of seating benches. Even if they are costly, they can be recycled afterwards. Just saying. 

10/20/2014

Mini Wonderlane (Claremont WA, Australia)

Shop 5, Old Theatre Lane
50 Bayview Terrace
 Claremont WA 6010
 Phone: 0433 194 718
 Website

Not even a month old, this extra-cute children pop-up shop is in  the lovely Old Theatre Lane. It does look like a posh children shop, though!

They have wonderful handmade clothing, toys and accessories by local artists and designers (Little Alannah May, Teesh, Bunting By Design, Harper + Monroe,  Kleinemouse Handmade, Diva Dolls by Beck, Stylish Monkeys, Chucklebug,  Petals and Pixies). All of their material, the girl dresses especially are just wonderfully colourful.

I loved the fabric dolls, so very retro etsy-like style.

Unlike branded clothing for children, these ones are affordable, going from cheap to a bit pricey, the dolls being pricey (about 50 bucks). Not  cheap, but you know you are buying hand-made in Western Australia, that is not a multinational selling the stuff you find everywhere.

Trowbridge Gallery (Claremont WA, Australia)


Trowbridge Gallery
52F Old Theatre Lane
Claremont WA 6010
Phone:  (08) 9384 4814
Website

This is a multi-wow business and we have it in WA!

Located at the bottom end of the charming Old Theatre Lane, I entered because I love big balls, world globes I mean :). It turns out that they have the largest collection of world globes for sale in Australia.

The place is nicely crowded and set, like an harmonic sort of no-chaotic chaos, unpretentious and luminous, and it doesn't look like an antiques place at all. It doesn't smell like an antiques shop either (that is good!). They have a framing service at the usual Perth prices, and they take about a week to frame your things, unless, of course, they've ran out the material you want.

However, the wows will come from your mouth mostly because of the material they have for sale and on display. Imagine going to the WA Museum and being able to buy what is on the walls. But you can't, right? Well, if you are a Western Australian and want a piece of Western Australia's History, original pieces, and you have the money, come to this place. Framed lithographs, book illustrations with views of Western Australia (Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Fremantle, New Norcia) from the 18th century, and historical maps related to WA that go back to the 17th century. Originals!

Not enough "wowiness" for you? They also have children prints from famous Australian and European illustrators, medical prints from the early 19th Century, animal lithographs and prints from famous naturalists, and some Modern Art pieces that I didn't check out.

Prices for the historical material are over 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 bucks, up up, but if you have the money, you are getting an authentic piece of History. Be happy, the frame is included in the price! They probably have "cheapies", but all the pieces I checked were high-end.

The charming Scottish owner was lovely to tell me anything I wanted to know and see. Very laid back. You would expect a sort of posh haughty-nose person in a shop like this, but, on the contrary, he was very warm and helpful and OK with me just browsing around and making questions.

EXTRA-KUDOS
>> They have sporadic exhibitions in the shop.
>> Prices are clearly marked. Nothing hidden.

Old Theatre Lane (Claremont WA, Australia)

50 Bay View Terrace
Claremont WA 6010

Hidden at the end of Bay View Terrace, on the left hand side if you come from the train station, is this little gem of a shopping arcade. My favourite shopping lane in Perth.

This lane takes its name from the the Princess Theatre, a cinema that opened at the beginning of the 20th century, in the 1910s!. Lately transformed into the Claremont Picture Gardens cinemas, which closed down in 1964. Then, the place was sold and this arcade was born. I love everything about this shopping arcade.  It is classy and sophisticated, clean, very European, quiet and full of tiny lovely local shops and cool people. The place has a special something, that energy that you find in certain places and that is difficult to describe. It has to do with the lighting, firstly, as it has a glassed ceiling that percolates the light into myriad rays of luminosity to infuse your visit with good vibes. Secondly, the several colourful geometric mosaics on the floor and the pretty hanging shops signs. Finally, it is the relaxed atmosphere in there.

The Old Theatre Lane reminds me a bit of London Court, but way more modern and organised, not touristy at all, and way cuter. Cute is the new hot!Beyond the atmosphere, this little place has a terrific group of businesses on the ground level: an awesome barber, a women  hairdresser, a bookshop, an antiques shop, a travel agent, shoe shops for him and her, an optometry, accessories shops, bargain shop, kitchen shop, and even a café. The smaller second floor is occupied by more "serious" businesses: a dental centre, a tuition centre and a loan place, among others.

MIND
The lane continues on the right, into and ampler less-posh area, marked by the male brogues shoe shop at the corner.

Her Message (Claremont WA, Australia)

Shop 3, 50 Bayview Terrace
Old Theatre Lane
Claremont WA 6010
Phone: 0430 065 152
Website

Located in the cute Old Theatre Lane, Her Message is a cute shop selling cute things by a cute lady. They specialise in cult-following shoe brands: the Brazilian brand  Zaxy's jelly shoes, and the Venezuelan brand "Chocolaticas" (Hot Chocolate Design). They are statement comfortable unique shoes. They also have some others flats and ballerina shoes that I like a lot. They also have children shoes, a few items of jewellery, canvas totes, and similar things.


Hot Chocolate Design shoes are canvas arty painted shoes. They are not only trendy, unique and beautiful, they are also super-comfortable to walk around and perfect for travelling without sacrificing style. Zaxy are wonderful summer silicone shoes, that look classy and elegant, utterly feminine, very comfortable and are water proof, also perfect for travelling and for the summer months.  

The lady behind the counter was wonderful, very attentive, helpful, and Keen to make business by offering me further discounts if buying more than one pair or just helping me to purchase. If they don't have your sizing or favourite style, they will take your phone number and SMS you when your pair size is in.

Prices were good for Perth and having into account that these are imported shoes. I found the jelly shoes cheaper than in other places, while the canvas ones are at the same prices you will find them at the Fremantle Markets.  

They receive new stock almost every month. So,  Her Message... is.... Come and visit me!