No. 44 King Street

It takes a certain kind of self-assuredness to open a restaurant and simply name it after the street location. A certain kind of belief that what you have to offer will be so memorable as to indelibly link your address with that experience. A certain brazenness to think that yours is the most important establishment on the entire road. Fortunate then, for No. 44 King Street, that they do have something to be self-assured about. And fortunate for the inhabitants and visitors of Perth, Australia. Because, true to their word, the creators of No. 44 King Street are indeed ‘purveyors of fine food, coffee and wine’.

No. 44 King Street is primarily based around the bakery. One end of the restaurant is walled in glass revealing a small crew of bakers carefully weighing, mixing and kneading the raw ingredients into a collection of fine breads. Pigeon-holes at the front of the restaurant display the freshly baked products – sourdough, olive, and Turkish flatbread – inviting passers-by to step inside for the full experience. But, as a testament to the success of the bakery, arrive after midday and there’s not much of a selection left. Not to worry, as fresh bread is always available as an accompaniment to meals.

Which brings us inside No. 44. The historic building, with wood panelling and double height ceiling, makes an impressive backdrop to an excellent dining experience. Meals are served here from the morning until a flexible time in the evening – around 9:30pm depending on the flow of custom. But, while the daytime menu offers a tasty selection of dishes, No. 44 confirms what your grandparents no doubt counselled you: that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.

The menu, which changes every week, offers four or five set dishes and also provides the option of a range of breakfast items to choose from. On the menu we tried the apple smoked salmon, poached egg, hollandaise sauce on sourdough toast. This is by far the most serious breakfast dish I’ve ever eaten, bar perhaps the leftover Indian takeaways that were a staple morning meal as a university student. The ensemble was served with wilted baby spinach and, if not for the toast, this would have even held its own as a main meal. The salmon was well prepared, and the egg poached to perfection, allowing a pleasant yellow stream once the yoke was ruptured. And finally, the hollandaise sauce brought this dish together, creating a lovely salmon Benedict, the upmarket cousin of the common eggs Benedict.

Also picked from the menu was a wild mushroom, ricotta and spinach omelette, served with Turkish flatbread. This Italian-influenced omelette was cooked quite lightly, and complimented well the crispiness of the toasted flatbread, peppered with nutty sesame seeds. The ricotta provides the most striking flavour in the dish and is pleasantly countered by the addition of hollandaise sauce.

Off the menu you can choose your favourite breakfast items. We tried poached eggs on sourdough with grilled tomatoes and fried mushrooms. A tasty combination, all well prepared. Sausages and bacon are also available to those who like something more to chew on.

If you prefer a lighter or sweeter breakfast French crêpes are available with a combination of different toppings. We have tried the poached pears with mascarpone and also the berries with crème fraîche. The healthiest option is definitely the salad boasting a colourful array of fruits. This is served with local natural yoghurt, which is naturally sweetened by the ripe fruit.

On to drinks. The friendly waiting staff usually commence the experience with glasses of water that are topped up throughout the meal. Good English Breakfast tea is on the menu. But most importantly, the espresso based coffees are the best I’ve found in Perth. We’ve tried the latte, cappuccino and flat white, and they were absolutely delicious. The guy usually manning the la Cimbali espresso bar explained to us that he is foremost the restaurant’s sommelier, but if that’s the case then his barista persona must come a very close second, because he crafts some fine beverages, and even dabbles in latte art. Hot drinks are available here all day, and waiting staff will happily seat you even if you only want a coffee and a slice of their delightful desserts. Takeaway cups are available so that you can enjoy your coffee while strolling the streets of downtown Perth.

Whether you’re up for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a quick coffee this restaurant is a must when in Perth. Just down from the corner of Hay Street, No. 44 King Street is open seven days a week from 7am until 9:30ish.