Subiaco

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Jean Claude Patisserie – Subiaco –Numerous Occasions – Weekdays Only!

IMG_2576Thinking of Jean Claude Patisserie brings a smile to my face. It is hard to remember a better patisserie in Perth before it opened, and all patisseries since hope to match the popularity (and quality) that has been present at Jean Claude for decades.

I started marveling at what Jean Claude produces almost twenty years ago and realised back then that I was far from alone. Those were the days it was open for all, and then some, of the weekend. The only longer line outside a bakery door was in Rottnest and maybe Dunsborough. Most back then would remember the disappointment of missing out on the last [you name it!]

Sure, I feel a little aged writing this, but it is incredible the baguettes now are exactly the same as they were back then! It leaves you in awe thinking about how maybe in another 50 years I’ll be still coming here for the same smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers baguette that I did 68 years prior! The crunch of the outside revealing the soft bread and divine smoked salmon filling.

Smoked Salmon Baguette

Smoked Salmon Baguette

The doughnuts are first class. In this age of the doughnut, it has not changed, and doesn’t need to. The breads are first rate; the pies and sausage rolls are special. My main memory though is some of the technically challenging sweet pastries and tarts which are some of the most delicious I’ve had in Perth, and much further abroad. I had my first strawberry flan at Jean Claude, and still think of the Jean Claude touch when I eat them anywhere. The almond, and the chocolate, croissants are heavenly.

There are times where in the search for the next big thing we get bored of the last big thing. Jean Claude produces patisserie fare that is an outstanding exception, and impossible to see being passé at any time.

Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie Subiaco on Urbanspoon

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Little Pantry – Subiaco – Sunday 11 May 2014 – Lunch

Almost ten years ago I lived a couple hundred metres down the road from the corner of Nicholson Road and Derby Road on the border of Subiaco and Shenton Park. I had learned from locals that across the road used to be a pub, which would have been extremely handy. Instead it was now a retirement village, and there was very little else decent in what used to be a nice little suburban village. A fish and chip place opened (sister to one in Kalbarri) that was great but that was it.

Travelling back in time to my old neighbourhood, I was pleased to see a build in activity and one particularly busy cafe. Little Pantry is aptly named given the front room is tiny. Luckily there is space out the back to utilise the amazing climate Perth has to offer, and a beautiful lawn in the sun where we were seated for lunch / late breakfast.

It might have been May, but Perth doesn’t seem to do autumn and skips straight into winter so the weather turned it on for Mother’s Day! Glorious is the only way to describe it. Besides doing breakfast at lunch (I’m not sure if this is always the case), the cafe offers authentic Italian dishes centering around pasta. Several of our group tried the macaroni which I had a quick taste of (very nice) but I was focussed on breakfast. The Boston beans were exactly what I felt like. Beautifully slow cooked, but still with some texture, in a rich tomato sauce, with delicious sourdough. Some of the group had cake for dessert which was worth coming back to have more than a little try!

The staff and the owner was great and having brought a group along they were eager to please. The coffee was good quality, as it should be when prepared by Italian expats! I wish Little Pantry was here a decade ago – I would have been there five times a week!

Little Pantry on Urbanspoon