THE LOFT, Fremantle

by JENNY D’ANGER:

“THE best Thai food in town” is emblazoned on the window of modest-looking eatery The Loft Cafe on Adelaide Street.

It’s a bold statement with long-standing Sala Thai not too far away on Norfolk Street.

But after the first bite of the fish cakes ($5.95 for four), I was prepared to give it credence.

I’ve had fish cakes at classy restaurants that aren’t a patch on these.

They were quite simply fantastic, the texture just right, chewy but not rubbery, with lime and coriander coming through with absolutely no subtlety—just as I like it.

The chopped peanuts topping the sweet dipping sauce was a nice touch.

When my pad cashew ($9.95) arrived I thought the small bowl would barely touch the sides, as did the other half of the D’Anger duo who’d ordered Thai green curry ($9.95).

But these were obviously magic pudding bowls because we struggled to wipe them clean, leaving a fair bit of the generous serve of rice behind.

My vegetables were wonderfully crunchy and the sauce a delicious mix of Thai flavours, chilli jam and a nice salty kick.

I thought the green curry was a tad sweet, but D’Angerous Dave reckoned it had just the right combination of fish sauce and palm sugar.

I hear from friends the The Loft’s pad thai noodles and slow-cooked massaman beef curry (both $9.95) are fantastic.

The Loft Cafe is a curious mix of Thai food made fresh to order and pre-made rolls, slices of quiche and zucchini slice, there’s also a selection of cakes as well as home-made muffins.

Owner Jitta Rajittaranon, who hails from Bangkok (and who reminds me of the enthusiastic hotel owner in that lovely film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) has an Italian chef mate who makes the quiche and slice, along with assorted other non-Thai food.

Jitta took out third place in the WA latte art competition last year, for his amazing dragon in the cappuccino froth (for the year of the dragon).

He reckons the commonly held belief Asian people can’t make good coffee is rubbish and that his is as good as you’ll get anywhere—and who am I to argue, it is pretty good. The Italian boys on the strip might have to start working up a sweat.

Is the Thai food the best in Fremantle? Make your way down there to see for yourself.

The Loft Cafe
60 Adelaide St, Fremantle
9335 3524
open 7am–4pm Monday to Saturday (Thai food finishes at 2.30pm)