PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAWord of mouth is one way to find out about great places to eat. Another is to follow the movements of key industry operators and their staff. Doing so has always been my favourite method of tracking great service and consistent, fabulous food. And if you’ve followed these particular operators or their staff around for so long that you are on a first name basis, then you are almost guaranteed great food and service. Such is the case at Crema Cafe, West Perth’s newest addition to the already bustling dining scene.
When Dario and Lina Cipollini (formerly of Bravo’s in Subiaco) teamed up with Marc Garreffa and Claudio Staniscia from Alto’s and Noi, it was an almost instant recipe for success. The rules are simple – stylish decor, the freshest possible produce, genuine service and excellent food. There’s plenty to choose from, ranging from little tapas-style plates designed to share, brilliant burgers and salads, pizzas and, of course, a smattering of pasta dishes and mains. The pasta is something you might expect from a traditional little Italian cafe with red and white checked tablecloths and is freshly prepared with plenty of unfussy flavour. And as for the mains, well what can I say? I just wish they were open for dinner a little more regularly (only Friday nights at this stage) so I could indulge in the braised beef cheek or chicken pot pie more often. The local calamari and pork cutlet are also favourites among the local business sector, many of whom are visiting Crema Cafe for lunch on a daily basis. But really, when you find a place that has the lot you simply just can’t get enough of it.
Karen Bilsby, July 2008
