Brika, Perth

Who is George? That is the question I had to ask at the Brika Restaurant in Stirling Street. There are photos on the wall named as Boy George, George Harrison and even George Bush but the features of George and Georgette are very Greek.

We were also given a coaster to take home that featured George. So just who is he? Turns out that it’s a bit of an in-joke. George is a derivation of Giorges and is one of the most popular male names in Greece. Many expat Greeks name their sons George after fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Think George Michael and George Colombaris. And to top it off the chef at Brika is called – George!

And yes George Tsimpidis can definitely cook.

We went to Brika for an early dinner before heading to HBF Park to watch Perth Glory play Wellington Phoenix. Brika is only a five-minute walk from the park and many other Glory fans found their way to Brika to eat before the game. Brika’s location is good – close to Northbridge, Highgate and East Perth.

The restaurant’s ethos is based on sharing dishes and each dish is brought to the table when it’s ready and not necessarily in order.

We decided to have the hummus ($11). Crumbly pieces of crisp sausage add piquancy to the creaminess of the dish without making it too spicy and pine nuts add the crunch. We had Pita bread ($4) with the hummus. An artisan house-bread is also available ($4).

A bowl of hand cut fried patates (chips) with shaved halloumi and a feta sauce ($13) was a choice from the meze menu – also very good.

Our next two dishes arrived together – Scallops ($24) and the fish of the day ($28). The seven scallops were perfectly cooked. These lovely little morsels came with a melted saganaki cheese, tomato salsa, charred bread and parsley oil. The charred bread was good for mopping up the tasty sauce although I would have preferred the bread to be on a separate plate to stop it becoming too soggy.

The whole fish was beautifully presented but my goodness the Moses snapper is one ugly customer! Again the fish was cooked perfectly but it was quite bland. It came with very nice accompaniments – gremolata, charred broccollini and latholemono (an oil and lemon dressing). The dressing might have been better poured over the fish rather than being underneath.

Those small niggles aside Brika is definitely a find for us and somewhere we will be visiting again and again. Maybe next time we will try the Chef’s menu for $55 pp.

It’s a popular place with seating inside and out. We sat outside and enjoyed people watching as the al fresco area is separated from inside by the street walk. Décor is minimalist apart from George’s photos and huge mural, which really draws attention.

Staff was friendly and very helpful in explaining unfamiliar terms. Brika has a small bar license but no BYO.

Brika’s coffee is pretty good as well and to cap off our night Perth Glory won 4-2!

Access is good and a disabled toilet is available. Street parking ($2.90 an hour) is easy on Stirling Street but get in early if you go to Brika on a night that Perth Glory is playing as the parking slots fill up fast.

Address: 3/177 Stirling Street, Perth

Phone: 0455 321 321

Reservations: Yes

Opening hours: Open 7 nights from 5pm until late. Open for lunch, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon.

Gluten-free options: On request

Vegetarian options: Yes

Entertainment Book: No

Website: brika.com.au

About the Author
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About Hazel Broomhead

My name is Hazel and I am a Perth senior!

Originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, my husband and I moved to New Zealand with our children in 1974. As my husband is in the oil business, we moved to several other countries including the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan during the next 36 years before retiring to Perth.

We have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who live in different parts of the globe – New Zealand, Scotland and Colombia - which makes a great excuse for us to travel and visit.

My career background is in radio and print journalism in Scotland and New Zealand as well as public relations in various other countries.

We love to eat out, walk, travel and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle here in Western Australia.