Basil Leaves East Perth
Flowering Jacaranda trees. Fountains on a tranquil lake. A quaint little bridge crossing a babbling brook. It sounds like a scene from the Lord of The Rings, though you're unlikely to bump into any hobbits at this reasonably priced lakeside cafe. Cambodian-born owner Kim Tan together with former Hans Cafe chef Va Tin has created an innovative Asian menu. All told, there are more than 100 dishes to choose from, most of them Thai-influenced, many around the $10 mark, and all presented with considerable flair.
The fresh-flavoured rice paper-wrapped prawn and vegetarian cold rolls are a must-try, as are the signature tamarind prawns, slow-cooked in the chef's own-made chilli paste and served with cashew nuts and snowpeas. The impressive sizzling fish is a feast of prawns, squid, scallops and vegetables for $18. To finish, indulge in the banana sago pudding and immerse yourself in the tranquil and rather ritzy surroundings of East Brook Village.
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