The Armada Bar & Grill

Style and the City

Nestled in the heart of Perth's city district is the Armada Bar & Grill - a restaurant which blends a modern, metropolitan atmosphere with the flavour of an upmarket, funky bar.

A relatively new addition to Perth's dining scene, the Armada is the type of place you'd expect to see the girls from Sex and the City sipping cocktails and wearing vulgarly expensive shoes. Imagine this but without the pretentious staff, menu or prices.

Thanks to its location - right next to the four-star Travelodge Hotel - Armada's patrons range from corporate business locals to hotel visitors. With a mixture of comfortable couches and more formal dining chairs, the Armada Bar & Grill is perfect for any occasion, whether it be a drink after work, an intimate dinner, a business meal, or a simple cup of coffee.

For the cooler months, Armada's chefs have introduced an exciting new menu to suit the season and I have to say it's one of the most creative and interesting menus I've seen in a long time. Executive Chef Bonny Sulistyo have created a fabulous menu of dishes including crocodile, octopus and Kunsei salmon. Of course for the less adventurous diners, there are the 'safer' options of chicken, lamb and risotto. While the popular lunch menu has been kept largely the same, a new tasting plate has been added to the dinner choices and Bonny told me they had received very positive feedback so far.

Scott, Menu Magazine's editor says Bonny is one of Perth's finest chefs - and I'd have to agree.

We were presented with two meals, the first being a set entrée selection. It's designed to be a bit of a teaser of what's to come - comprised of scallops wrapped in Kataifi, olive confit octopus and finally crab and morton bay bug pie. A superb starter; it had a mix of simple, refreshing flavours. The scallops and octopus were served cold and were perfectly tender, while the crab and Morton Bay bug pie was warm with light, fluffy pastry.

The main course Bonny chose for us was the Armada Bouillabaisse, one of Bonny and Sous Chef Alasdare's own creations. It's an eclectic mix of snapper, bug meat, cuttlefish, tiger prawns and clams, which are gently simmered in a light prawn and tomato bisque. If you're at all unsure as to what to order when you visit Armada, I assure you the Bouillabaisse is a definite winner. It's an example of the care and pride that is poured into every aspect of the Armada - from the preparation through to the presentation of each and every dish.

Scott and I loved the Alkoomi Sauvignon Blanc, the perfect wine to compliment the Armada Bouillabaisse as it really enhanced the spice and fresh tomato flavour.

On a Friday afternoon, Armada's spacious alfresco dining area bustles with those who work in Perth's hectic CBD. While they welcome in the weekend with a drink, a DJ plays funky jazz tunes in the background. On other nights, the terrace space is gently lit with spotlights when the sun sets, for a welcoming, romantic feel.

While the Armada is a more upmarket restaurant, it comes without the pompous attitude and ambience that many of its competitors may exhibit. It is comfortable and relaxing and with one of Perth's best chef's at the helm, there is no questioning the high quality of food served morning, noon and night. The next time you're looking for a special place to dine, do yourself a favour and visit Armada Bar & Grill and I'll bet it won't be your last visit!

By Tiffany Wertheimer