The Painted Bird, Perth



We recently visited Perth for a four day weekend over the Australia Day holiday.  While we were there, we checked out some of the amazing food that Perth has to offer.

On our first night, we asked reception at our hotel where she recommended going.  She gave a few suggestions in the immediate area, but the one that grabbed us was The Painted Bird.  The name is intriguing, and some research revealed that is the name of the restaurant's signature dish of duck leg confit, ‘painted’ with mustard and orange, and wrapped in puff pastry.  

The Painted Bird is hidden in an enclave behind a grand church on William Street.  Inside, the furnishings appear Asian-influenced, but the food is "modern Australian with a European accent".

The service was friendly and efficient.  We started with an amuse bouche of polenta bites with pesto:

For entrée, we decided to have the charcuterie tasting plate (4 pieces for $18):

I have forgotten exactly what they were, but I enjoyed all of them except for the frittata (lower left), which was a tad dry.

While we were waiting for mains, a birthday party group started coming in, complete with these two beautiful cakes:

For main course, Tim ordered the pan fried gnocchi with pork, apple and cider ragu, topped with manchego ($33):

I ordered the crisp skinned Tasmanian salmon with gnocchi, prosciutto, peas, fennel and romesco ($36):

We both enjoyed our dishes.  My salmon was beautifully moist and pink inside, and the prosciutto added a nice touch of salt.

Our Painted Bird experience was enjoyable, and I would definitely go back.

This is the church which The Painted Bird hides behind:

For dessert, we went for coffee and cake at Koko Black further up William Street.  We shared this white chocolate raspberry cheesecake:

It was delicious, with more cheese filling than base.

The Painted Bird

10/93-95 William St

Perth WA 6000

Phone: (08) 9321 4685