• Johannes Reinhart’s entry in the 2017 Fremantle International Portrait Prize.

I want to give a big organic thank you to Gratias in East Fremantle.

The D’Angers recently enjoyed a tasty and healthy lunch at the Spanish cafe on George Street.

“We are vegan, with vegetarian options,” owner Cathy Gavranich says.

The cheese and milk come from farms where animals are “treated with kindness”, while the eggs are from Happy Valley in Donnybrook, where chickens roam free.

“They’re not there primarily for eggs, but as pest control in the orchard,” Ms Gavranich says, adding it’s where she gets some of her fruit and veg.

The “plant-based” cafe has a zero-waste composting system, the kitchen is plastic-free and the outdoor setting is a flower-power paradise with shady nooks.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday local musicians play gentle acoustic sets.

Part bakery, there’s a great range of breads and cakes, and in the evenings pizza are available.

The D’Angers were there mid-week and missed the music and the pizzas, but the cheery welcome by staff more than made up for it.

Organic isn’t cheap, and an almond milk banana smoothie with cinnamon and nutmeg was $12.50.

They were thick and cold, but once we added a slug of maple syrup they burst into life.

I ordered the plant-based patties ($18.50).

Ms Gavranich’s daughter, aptly-named Daisy Field, challenged the cook to create the patties from the unlikely combination of buckwheat, basil, kale and radish.

The cook nailed it and the patties were teeming with flavour. The accompanying salad of organic cabbage, spinach, capsicum and red onion was super fresh.

D’Angerous Dave had mushroom bruschetta ($18.50), and was won over after the first mouthful.

“Really good, especially with the feta cheese. And the mushrooms are top quality.”

His dad, on holiday from Blighty, really enjoyed his scrambled eggs with mushrooms ($18.50).

By JENNY D’ANGER

Gratias Organic Plant Based
Cafe, Bakery & Pizzeria
76B George Street,
East Fremantle 0404 241 184