THE KIOSK, East Fremantle
by JENNY D’ANGER:
East Fremantle’s Beach Street Cafe (no clues for guessing the address) was always a pleasant spot for lunch or breakfast, so it was sad to see it close.
But a visit to the rebadged The Kiosk last week put a smile back on my dial.
There’s the same sparkling river view and pleasant outdoor ambience, but a different menu and look to the interior.
The Herald crew was quick to claim a spot at the one of the new outdoor tables.
Dining with my colleagues can be a bit testosterone-charged, the conversation punchy, if not downright rude, and the food solid so I figured they’d be keen for meat in the guise of burgers.
The man from Glasgow graciously passed up the lentil burger to the table’s sole vegetarian, instead ordering the calamari ($19.50).
His gentlemanly gesture was well rewarded, with a huge plate of deliciously tender squid rings, crowning an equally large serve of crisp, golden chips, with aioli.
It was so big a serve he couldn’t finish off his chips—although he did polish off the fresh salad.
My curried chickpea and lentil burger ($17.50) was superb, pieces of chickpea in a moist pattie with a delicate spicy flavour.
The chips on the side were so good I was at a loss to understand how anyone could leave even one on their plate.
Brendan Foster, aka Fozzie Bear, couldn’t go past the Flozza ($18.50), “because it’s eerily similar to my nickname”.
The beef burger, with aioli and relish was top notch, he reckoned: “From its char flavour, size and texture.
“Even amid some ridiculously fresh tomato, lettuce and onion—that seemed like they’d been picked from the farm that morning—the patties still stole the show.”
The Hot Shot is also beef but with The Kiosk’s own chilli jam.
It was juicy and well-grilled, with a nice aioli tang, but young blood David Bell likes a bit of fire and reckoned the chilli jam could have been hotter.
“Thankfully the kitchen brought out a bottle of tabasco…and I rectified this myself,” he said, adding that while burgers generally are getting pricey this was quality, “no common canteen cheeseburger”.
Simon—we like him even though he is an ad rep—eagerly ordered the La Lambretta ($18.50) a spiced lamb pattie with tomato, salad and tzatziki.
“With a hint of spice, it was rather nice,” the Pancho Villa look-alike said in his best ad-man jingle voice.
Replete, we headed back to work, content The Kiosk is well and truly keeping up the tradition for good fare in a lovely, casual, riverside setting.
The Kiosk
123 Beach Street, East Fremantle
6219 5277
Open Mon–Thur 7am to 4pm
and Fri–Sun to 10pm