NUMERO UNO, East Fremantle: 

Guido Micalizzi and wife Linda’s extended Italian family gaze down from a wall of photos at their restaurant, Numero Uno.

With his thick-rimmed glasses Guido is easily recognisable down the years from when his kids were little tackers to now, and you’ll find Micalizzi senior backdropped by cray pots on his fishing boat.

Formerly, the family ran the very popular Primavera Ristorante on Marine Terrace, Fremantle, but the need for change and high rents saw it move 10 years ago.

Guido’s passion for food is as homegrown as the food he serves—inspired by his Sicilian mother.

“She was so creative,” he says, adding mama made the most of whatever was in season, whether herring or crayfish caught by dad or vegetables grown by mum.

“Fresh and seasonal is when you get the best flavours.”

Everything at Numero Uno is made in-house, from the pasta to the cakes and fresh produce is sourced locally.

“We go to Jarrahdale for tomatoes and get them from the growers,” Guido says.

The minimalist decor is saved from starkness by a wall of photos that makes for an interesting point of discussion. And you know it’s a little fancy when crisp white tablecloths are involved.

It took a while to work our way through the extensive menu.

D’Angerous Dave hovered over the deep-fried whitebait ($23.50 entree) but settled on King George whiting ($38.50).

Encased in a light and crisp beer batter the sweet flesh was perfectly cooked, and the hand-cut chips were so good he was reluctant to share with his lovely wife.

I was keen to try the north-west baby squid, filled with tomato, herbs and breadcrumbs and simmered in garlic, chilli tomato sauce, but a problem with supply meant it was off.

So I settled for the calamari fritti. This was no settling for second-best and the lightly floured slices of squid were magnificently tender and perfectly flavoured, while the homemade mayo was great. And the serve very generous for an entree.

The mother-in-law had the crochette di granchio ($18.50 entree). Looking very decorative, the three large crab and sweet potato cakes were fantastic, soft and moist, and the avocado salsa was the perfect mate for the delicate, but delicious flavour.

The good thing about entree serves is you have room for dessert.

What looked like a rhubarb tart was in fact a deliciously sharp plum tart ($10) and what I’d been eyeing off as pear was a peach-topped cake of magnificent flavours, all the more so for being washed down by a really good coffee.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Numero Uno
5 Petra Street, East Fremantle
9339 0199 | open lunch Wed–Fri,
dinner Tues–Sat. Closed Sun/Mon
BYO