On a Friday evening, I decided to catch up with my friend, Giuls over dinner and drinks at The Standard, a newly opened bar and restaurant along Roe Street at Northbridge. One step inside The Standard and the atmosphere is bustling with people hanging out on a Friday night and having post work drinks and food to celebrate the end of another week. When you walk past the kitchen and bar, a door takes you to the outdoor garden where you can enjoy your food and drinks under the stars or head up the stairs to get views of Perth City and Northbridge. Fingers cross that it doesn’t rain and it will be perfect!

When we first arrived, Giuls and I were seated at the outdoor garden upstairs. The atmosphere was lovely with a nice, cool breeze. Unfortunately, not long after we placed our orders, it started pouring down and we had to be moved inside to be seated at the bar at first and then a table when it was available.

The Standard serves Carafes of mixes for 3-4 people but if you would like a single serve, they can also do it for $16. I had the Garden State which comprises of Tanqueray Gin, basil, lime, elderflower and liqueur. It was really light, fresh and had a nice balance of sweetness which definitely has the essence and feel of springtime. My friend Giuls had the Camden Gentleman’s Wit Beer ($10).

From left to right – Garden State and Gentleman’s Wit Beer

Not long after placing our orders and receiving our drinks, our food arrived pretty quickly. We shared the Free Range BBQ chicken wings with granny smith apple ($12) and Blue Goats Cheese with oat cracker, celery and honey ($16). The BBQ chicken wings were delicious and the BBQ sauce gave the chicken wings its sweetness and tangy-ness. It was finger licking good. The Blue Goats cheese was strong in flavour and complements well with the sweetness from the honey and the crunchy textures of the oat cracker.

Free range BBQ chicken wings, granny smith apple

Blue goats cheese, oat cracker, celery and honey

We also shared the Lamb belly with sweet and sour eggplant and grapefruit ($24). The lamb belly was cooked to perfection – it was juicy, tender and succulent. There is a great amount of meat surrounded by a good layer of fat on one side. This dish was by far one of our favourites on the night. The sweet and sour eggplant salad on the side was fresh in flavour with a lovely crunch from the eggplant being deep fried. I must admit that it was a bit spicy but it was not a problem to me at all as I can tolerate some level of spicy-ness.

Lamb belly, sweet and sour eggplant and grapefruit

To finish, we shared a Chocolate ganache, coconut fudge and sailor jerry rum ($14) for dessert. The chocolate ganache was smooth, rich and full of chocolatey goodness. With every bite, you get a hint of subtle rum flavours that were sprayed onto the dessert which complements well with the chocolate ganache.

Chocolate ganache, coconut fudge, sailor jerry rum

Overall, The Standard definitely has set a standard for the Perth food and bar scene. It is no doubt that The Standard will become popular in the future. Although it is still new, watch out for new additions and developments in time to come (Yes, I heard that there’s a possible rooftop bar). Come in summer and The Standard is the place to be to enjoy drinks and food, topped with warm, beautiful summer-y weather.

Mel’s Rating : mmmm (excellent)