Mushroom Mania: Greenhouse, Perth
I had a day off on Monday and decided to have breakfast in Perth city. I had Mushroom Mania on my mind and headed to Greenhouse to try their dish of wild mushrooms, slow cooked eggs and grilled polenta (AU$16.50).
Greenhouse is a sustainable restaurant with an unforgettable and eye-catching exterior. I wrote all about it in my post about lunch at Greenhouse a few months ago.
I need to visit Greenhouse Perth during strawberry season
I enjoyed the freshly pressed orange juice (AU$6.50) on my previous visit and ordered it again. They were pressing the oranges just as I arrived. Perhaps knowing this made the orange juice taste even sweeter!
iPad, fresh OJ, water, cutlery, a dish of salt, anticipation
It didn’t take long for my food to arrive and the dish placed before me was a feast for the eyes. I was excited to see the soft, wobbly slow cooked eggs sprinkled with freshly cracked black pepper, sitting on a dark bed of wild mushrooms, with crisp salad leaves and herbs scattered about like a woodland scene. There were three golden cubes of grilled polenta that I knew were crunchy even before my first bite.
Wild mushrooms, slow cooked eggs and grilled polenta (AU$16.50)
I moved the plate ever so gently to make the eggs quiver. I had an intense desire to touch and taste everything on the plate all at once. Where to begin? I couldn’t wait to start foraging for wild mushrooms with my fork. The eggs looked as if they would burst at the slightest touch.
Wild mushrooms, slow cooked eggs and grilled polenta – close-up
I can tell you exactly what my favourite moment of eating this dish was: when I slowly poked my fork into the first egg and watched the gooey yolk ooze onto the mushrooms.
My first gooey slow cooked egg oozing over wild mushrooms
Even better was knowing I could do it all over again with my second egg.
My second gooey slow cooked egg oozing over wild mushrooms
This dish is a showcase of different textures and a pleasure to eat: the soft slow cooked eggs, the chewy wild mushrooms, the fragrant fresh herbs, crisp peppery leaves and the crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside polenta.
The mushrooms were juicy and seasoned perfectly. I picked out shiitake, enoki and oyster mushrooms but there were a couple of others I could distinguish but not name. I checked with a chef on my way out – they were portabella (also known as portobello or crimini/cremini) and wood ear. If you love mushrooms and soft-cooked eggs, you will love this dish. I’d happily eat it again, but of course, being Greenhouse, no doubt there will be new wonderful dishes to try on my next visit.
When I arrived at around quarter past 9am, I had no problem getting a table. The restaurant grew steadily busier while I was there. There seemed to be a breakfast business meeting taking place on every second table. I felt like such a slacker, sitting there in jeans and sneakers. :)
Breakfast meetings all around me
The little takeaway coffee window did a roaring trade the entire time.
The takeaway coffee window, Greenhouse Perth
Just like the first time I ate at Greenhouse, my food and drink were gloriously fresh and tasty. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly. I can’t wait till next time.
Greenhouse Perth. The rooftop garden includes herbs, vegetables and fruit trees.
I like dining on my own. It’s nice to take a book to read, relax, eat delicious food and enjoy some “me” time. These days, wherever I happen to be, I can surf the Internet and tweet on my phone or iPad, so I don’t really feel alone. How about you? Do you ever go out to dine on your own?
It turned out to be a big day for eating. Stay tuned for more – macarons and roast duck noodles!
Greenhouse
100 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9481 8333
Web: www.greenhouseperth.com
Monday and Tuesday 7am to late
Wednesday to Saturday 7am to 12am
Closed on Sundays
Breakfast is available from 7am to 11.30am
Note: Greenhouse’s menu is subject to variation based on availability of ingredients
See my previous post on Greenhouse, Perth (April 2011)
About Mushroom Mania, July 1-31
Join the Mushroom Mania fun this month!
- Get the free Mushroom Mania app for your smartphone/iPhone or check out the locality guide online to find your local participating restaurants
- Order mushroom dishes when you dine out
- Post a review of a mushroom dish you’ve eaten for your chance to win $100 – there’s a giveaway every week in July
- Join the Mushroom Lovers Club for mushroom recipes, cooking tips, news and more
- Follow Mushroom Mania on Twitter and Facebook
TFP dined at Greenhouse with compliments of the Australian Mushroom Growers Association as part of Mushroom Mania month. All opinions expressed are my own.
My Mushroom Mania posts