Soda Cafe

With a beautiful view of North Beach and funky jazz music playing softly in the background, Soda Café is the type of place where you can not only enjoy a great meal with fantastic service, but you can relax as the sun sets over the ocean, while simply watching the world go by.

We arrived at the café just before five o'clock. Greeted with a friendly smile and offered a magazine or newspaper while waiting for our Grinders Coffee, the sun gradually slinked away right in front of us.

Soda Café brings a new vibrancy to the dining experience in North Beach . The menu has been thoughtfully created by the chef and co-owner, Ben Andrijasevich, and ensures even the most discerning diner is catered for.

Only the best ingredients are used in every meal, including those offered on the children's menu. This means there are no additives, and only the freshest foods are used. Vegetarians have a good choice, including a grilled field mushroom and the beautiful mixed leaf salad.

The surprisingly pleasant thing about Soda Café is that it not only has the trendy decor, million dollar view, and mouth watering menu. It also provides the product to back it all up - the food.

Soda's soft shell crab is a must. Served with sticky rice, nori salad and a hint of wasabi, you can eat the whole crab because of its soft shell. The crab is cooked in tempura - a wonderfully light Japanese batter.

Next we were treated to the gram flour calamari - a gluten free dish. Beautifully presented and finished off with the best tasting pappadums I have ever had, this dish is coconut based which I felt complimented the sweet potato and green pea curry it is served with.

When I return to Soda Café next, I am going to have a very tough time in choosing between the calamari and capretto dish!

Ben explained that capretto is a classic Italian dish, which is perfect for the colder months. Surrounded by homemade gnocchi and a variety of greens, the meat is cooked to perfection, simply melting in your mouth. It just goes to show the time, consideration and care which goes into every meal prepared by one of the five chefs in Soda's kitchen.

Ben and his wife Bridget, who is the front of house manager, have chosen to use Grinders coffee, one of Australia 's leading coffee brands.

Just when we thought our taste buds could not be any more satisfied, we were again treated to one of these perfect coffees, which just made me relax even more, and gave me a chance to fully take in the amazing surroundings.

Ben says they are trying to achieve a "destination dining on the coast" with a modern beachside theme. And oh, have they hit the mark.

Soda Café has the magical blend of a funky modern interior, integrated with traditional sandstone features, which fit in perfectly with the beach location. It is simple and comfortable.

With tables spilling out into an alfresco area, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner seven days a week, or simply pop in for a well-deserved coffee. Outside heaters ensure you can still have the view without the chill. Even if the weather is a little worse for wear, the glass doors which can be closed are unobtrusive, so that you may still get the most out of the view, and trust me, it would be an awesome sight to see a storm over the Indian Ocean from here!

It is great walking into a restaurant as a patron, and not a reviewer, as you get to see how 'normal' people are treated. Even before I had introduced myself, I was warmly welcomed. Soda's staff are pleasant, well trained and very knowledgeable on every dish, thanks to the guidance of Ben and Bridget, who have a hands on working approach to their business.

Soda Café is a fantastic place for any occasion, be it a relaxing breakfast, business lunch, celebratory dinner or quiet get together for coffee. It is in one of the most fabulous locations on the West Australian coast. Boasting fabulous food, drink and coffee, Soda promises consistently great service every visit. It is truly a unique experience and I have to say, one of the finest I have ever had.

To read the menu or find out more about Soda Café, visit www.sodacafe.com.au

Trading hours are seven days a week, opening at 7am daily for breakfast. Dinner is Wednesday to Sunday.

By Tiffany Wertheimer