Perugino

LOCATION
In the leafy streets of West Perth, just minutes from the CBD.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
West Perth has long been the place to go for fine dining restaurants, the majority of which serve fine Italian cuisine. Wedged discreetly between office buildings and quaint terrace homes, these restaurants offer diners a taste of something special. Perugino has been doing just this since opening its doors in 1986 and it’s safe to say Giuseppe and Rosalba Pagliaricci deserve every one of their awards. This husband and wife team (with the help of their son and daughter) run a very tight ship, with Giuseppe overseeing the kitchen and Rosalba orchestrating the floor. Service receives just as much attention as the divine food so guests are guaranteed a superb dining experience. The restaurant itself is clean as a whistle with a magnificent atrium glass ceiling letting diners enjoy natural light by day and a romantic setting by night.

As you may have already heard, the food at Perugino is unbelievable. Everything is home-made where possible, the risottos require a 20-minute wait since they are cooked to order, and the seafood and meat cuts are of the best quality. Perugino’s signature dish, the scottadito di capretto (charcoal-grilled baby goat chops), is simply done with olive oil, fresh oregano and garlic, but you’d swear there was something magical in them. Just as he learned in Italy, Giuseppe lets the natural flavours of food do the talking, so dishes are uncomplicated yet brimming with taste. Every dish on this menu is sensational but if I really had to narrow my favourites down, I’d have to say the entree of paffutelli al salmone (pasta filled with prawns, scallops and dhufish served in a smoked salmon and cream sauce), and the main dish of pan-fried veal cutlet topped with prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese really blew me away. I think I’m in love.

Karen Bilsby