The Standard, Northbridge, Western Australia

The dining and small bar scene in Perth, Western Australia has been leaping forwards in variety and quality over the last few years, and one of the latest additions to this scene is The Standard, located on Roe Street in Northbridge.

Occupying what used to be an old school “underground” gambling house (so I’m told), The Standard boasts a large outdoor courtyard area as well as a modern-looking indoor area with a long bar complete with mixologists standing behind it furiously shaking cocktail mixers.

I joined some friends there for lunch one lazy Saturday afternoon and we were not disappointed.  The drinks menu offered wallet-friendly yet delicious wines from Australia and all around the world and a selection of local and international beers, and the food menu offered many sharing-style dishes.

I couldn’t decide on what to drink, so I had something of everything; and my favourite dish was the garlic clams in a creamy cider sauce, although the house made potato and sweet potato crisps, as well as the crispy chunky fava chips were also superb.

As you can see from the photos, the food was so good that my fellow diners didn't care to wait while I took some photos; and who can blame them?

Needless to say, lunch turned into a messy but fun affair that went on for many hours ...