THE MILL BAKEHOUSE, Fremantle

by JEREMY DIXON:

Make no mistake, when you enter this fine family establishment run by Cameron and Kristy, you will be left in no doubt they are dyed in the wool Dockers’ supporters. From the teddy bear in strip on the front counter to the signed photographs on the wall, purple is le couleur du jour.

As a regular patron and somewhat of a coffee connoisseur I am able to attest to Cameron’s skills as Fremantle’s premier barista. The newly refurbished restaurant now includes a casual seating area with sofas, comfortable chairs and tables, ideal for a relaxing brew of your favourite beverage while you read the Herald or admire the exhibition of photography.

On this occasion, I thought I would indulge in a lunch and consulted the menu, determined to find a dish I had not tried before. I settled on the char-grilled chicken, mango and gourmet salad with a citrus dressing. ($19).

I was impressed with the length of the title of this dish, but even more impressed with the flavours and quality of the meal. The chicken was char-grilled to perfection, and the lettuce salad was a delight; crisp, fresh and flavoursome with the sweetest cherry tomatoes, cashews and delightful thinly sliced fresh mango.

The citrus dressing, I was reliably informed, is one of Kristy’s secret recipes and added a piquant and subtle flavour to the salad.

Time constraints prevented me from indulging myself in a selection from the extensive dessert cabinet filled with homemade treats, but then, there is always next time!

With an extensive menu and daily specials, friendly staff and a fine ambience, The Mill Bakehouse provides a venue for a quick snack or a leisurely dining experience. Centre-bounce from 6am for the early risers to the final siren at 4pm, I would heartily recommend a visit.

Unlike the Dockers, for this year anyway, The Mill Bakehouse would be sure to win any grand final.

The Mill Bakehouse
1 Norfolk Street, Fremantle

Disclaimer: Jeremy has an exhibition of photographs showing at the cafe.