Perth – Brunch at The Mantle, Fremantle

BY CK Lam

My six-day five-night Perth trip in September 2015 sponsored by Tourism Western Australia and organized by Foodsion 食尚 truly allows me to discover more of the city. My series about Perth will be published on a weekly basis, focusing mainly on the plethora of culinary offerings in Perth’s food spots while also touching on the travel attractions and accommodation.

The chime of The Mantle brings to mind a serene yet relaxing dining experience in the east end of Fremantle, Perth. Blending a mix of restaurants, a cocktail bar and an emphasis on collaborative working space, The Mantle has people coming together to eat, drink, work and play.

Nestled in an old warehouse with spacious seating environment , the interior is both stylish and contemporary, bringing a sense of simplicity and a breath of fresh air to the Australian restaurant scene.

The mantle is a new hub in the new east end of Fremantle

We began exploring the place while taking in the simplicity of it all. The establishment is the brainchild of Anatoly Mazhov and his wife, who inspired to start The Mantle to provide customers with a little culinary adventure while keeping prices low for the masses.

Among the restaurants we patronized was the South American centric Don Tapa which serves south American cuisine and the cozy bar Alter Ego offering cocktails and wines.

Perth – Brunch outing at The Mantle, Fremantle

The main seating area is modern with beige flushed walls, modern chairs and tables coupled with abstract art adoring the walls.

At Don Tapa, emphasis is placed on the Argentinian grill, plenty of local produce and also imported ingredients.

One particular dish that stood out was the Don’s Smoked Pork Belly. The tender pieces of pork belly were perched enticingly on a bed of celeriac horseradish puree. The presentation was well arranged – looking like a mini-mountain with splashes, lines and swirls of sauce, while the tender cuts of celery heart all looked extremely pretty without being overdone.

However, the real flavor magic happened with the Baked Camembert. The dish baked with a combination of camembert, cauliflower, and honeycomb had exciting great flavors. When combined that with bread, it was just perfect.

Besides that, you also can get little extra dishes – South American sausages, garden tomatoes as well as duck tacos with pickled chili and corn. All in all, the dishes boast vibrancy and flair!

Empanadas del dia with chill tomato salsa, and smoked calabrese sausage

And on top of the savory dishes, there is a short dessert list. We moved on to two desserts, and the first was a glass of something lovely – Passionfruit Mousse. Strategically placed in a glass and served tilted, the light and sweet mousse with nutty red quinoa is definitely one to savor.

The banana empanadas and Dulce De Leche (a traditional Argentinian dessert made by caramelizing sugar in milk) served with a scoop of burnt coconut ice cream was very rich. It would be more impressive to end the meal with the passionfruit mousse.

Lounged in the back of The Mantle and inspired by rustic charms and art is Alter Ego. Utilizing handmade syrups, excellent alcohol and a creative mind, the selection of drinks at this lovely small bar is something to slowly savor over multiple visits.