Entendre

A few weeks ago I spent a Sunday evening doing a cupping masterclass with Gerard Barrios in an ageing Shafto Lane café named Entendre.

I returned this morning to find the café transformed, a recent refit lifting the interior considerably and delivering an al fresco area of good size and with great winter-beating properties.

It was early and there were few people threading their way along the lane, but Entendre’s owner Tom was already serving a steady stream of regulars.

I ordered my usual ‘testing set’ of a ristretto, flat white and poached eggs, this time with a side serving of a spiced fried potato cake.

Both the coffees lived up to expectations and the presentation and innards of the poached eggs were nothing short of superb.

The potato cake was lightly spiced and the addition of fresh lime as a garnish complimented the spices and added visual appeal.

Entendre's new alfresco area is very well sheltered from the winter rains and has sufficient space to move even with the cafe blinds lowered. It certainly felt cost this morning being able to step in out of the wet wind howling down Hay Street.

The refit has warmed the interior of the café with lots of wood, better lighting and a big pair of comfortable lounges for long meetings.

The result is – another place for breakfast on my route of travel to work.

The menu that I saw for both breakfast and lunch is, for the moment, relatively brief, and this does allow the chef to take advantage of in-season produce and ensure attention-to-detail in the dishes they are producing.

I was very impressed and will make a point of returning with the ‘big camera’ for some better quality photos than those below.















Who: Entendre Café
What: Great coffee and stunning food
Where: Shafto Lane, Perth
Coffee: Fiori
When: Thursday, 10 July 2008
Accessibility: Adequate – a small step at the main entrance but a smooth run around the alfresco area. The counter is quite high however.