Being approached by a top WA food critic to collaborate on a new eatery might sound like a daunting exercise. But for owners Melissa Palinkas (chef) and Susan Whelan (manager), it’s been a match made in heaven. With its serious focus on food, top notch service and unpretentious vibe, Young George has well and truly woven itself into the fabric of George Street. Encompassing a bar, kitchen, bottleshop and very cool cellar, it feels as if it’s been a part of the neighbourhood for ages.
“I was approached last year by Rob Broadfield who also holds a share of the business, to help evolve the venue and take the food offering to another level. In January this year I asked my wife Susan to come on board as venue manager and help me drive the business. The two of us work very well together. We have the same work ethic and passion for the industry so it was a no brainer. We ran a very successful pop up restaurant a few years ago called Alphabet Soup, and we were keen to work on another project together,” said Melissa.
Melissa is well known around town as a highly skilled and imaginative chef. Her career really took off after Matt Preston swooned over her quail kievs and venison ribs when she was head chef at The Cabin a few years back. In 2014, Melissa was selected as the Pork Star, a nationally recognised program to promote Australian pork. She had to cook a pork degustation for 100 of Perth’s best chefs and restaurateurs.
Offering a globally inspired menu that covers all bases, seasonal, local and free range is the name of the game at Young George. Playing an integral role is the wood fired oven, its fiery hearth used to create much of the menu, including the melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie. A lot of time and love goes into perfecting it, a recurring theme at Young George. Rustic, slow cooked fare like this would normally cost an arm and a leg, but it’s not the case here. Pop in on Tuesdays for wood fired pizza and a beer for only $15 and bring the family down on Sunday for Groundhog Day – which currently consists of wood roasted pork leg with a cider for just $25. Be warned folks – these specials are so hot you have to book!
Young George is now open for coffee and cake from 11am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and lunch from 12pm, where you can choose 3 small plate items for only $25. You can also now call in for breakfast on weekends from 7am on Friday and 8am Saturday & Sunday.
“We love our locals and without them we wouldn’t be the great neighbourhood gem we’ve become.”
48 George St, East Frem | 6424 9500 | younggeorge.com.au