NEW FOOD & BEVERAGE OPENINGS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Cassia 

1) Cassia opens in Fremantle

Opening in Fremantle, Cassia celebrates and redefines the art of the classic Australian barbecue. Led by award-winning head chef Emily Jones (whose culinary journey includes the likes of Wildflower, Si Paradiso and Michelin-starred restaurants in Norway), Cassia's menu focuses on live-fire cooking techniques. Designed to be shared, the menu includes an array of smoked meats, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, cooked over a wood fire. Both the drinks list and the food menu showcase the best of WA producers. The venue is designed around its open kitchen, with the custom-made 1.2 metre wide wood-fire grill taking a fiery centre stage.

2) History in the Vines of the Swan Valley wine region

The Swan Valley wine region has recently launched the Swan Valley Old Vine Charter, which encourages the preservation and continued use of the region's historic vines. Located less than 30 minutes from Perth's CBD, along the dreamlike banks of the Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan), the vineyards are participating in age classification by registering all vines over 35 years, including wines equal to or greater than 125 years old. The Charter recognises the age of the vine as either Old Vine (35+ years), Survivor (70+ years), Centenarian (100+ years), or Ancestor (125+ years). Wine has been grown in the Swan Valley for more than 190 years; a program of cellar door signage, wine labelling, and old vine and winery entry signage will guide wine enthusiasts through the Swan Valley region's rich heritage. The fruit from these vines can produce high-quality wine that showcases depth of flavour with beautiful softness and harmony.

3) Moon & Mary to open in Fremantle next month

Fremantle's (Walyalup) newest hospitality venue is set to open in September. Moon & Mary will bring together an exciting mix of modern Asian dining in The Dining Room, casual beer garden vibes in The Rec Yard, and a speakeasy bar plus in-house distillery at Best Behaviour. This venture from Perth restauranter Jacquie Chan (who already has a raft of successful venues to her name, including Miss Chow's, Lucy Luu and Lygon Lane) pays tribute to Fremantle's little-known Asian heritage, drawing inspiration from WA's first documented Chinese person to arrive in the State - Moon Chow. Moon & Mary is a bespoke build, with three venues under one roof and incorporating the existing heritage elements on the site of the Old Fremantle Lockup. Patrons can expect a seafood focused, modern Asian fusion menu, and a drinks list of premium spirits distilled in-house.

4) Margot's, Martini and Wine Bar opens in Northbridge

Margot's

Margot's has opened its doors at the upper end of William Street in Perth's (Boorloo) cultural hub of Northbridge. The 120-person venue has taken over a 100-year-old building and transformed it into a modern deli, cellar and bar – dedicated to the craft of creating the classic martini cocktail. Curated by Sesh Mafia (the team behind the CBD's latest venue Papi Katsu and the popular Shui in Subiaco) Culinary Director Chase Weber has designed a Baltic and North-Eastern European-inspired menu. Expect to see share plates that include house-made seasonal pickles, local meats, cold and cured seafood, charcuterie and stone baked breads. From behind the custom-built red marble bar sourced from the Pilbara, the drinks menu pays homage to martinis and classic cocktails, and old-world European inspired wine list, plus an extensive selection of WA wines, spirits and pre-made beverages available in the bottle shop for drink in and takeaway.

5) Cherubino reopens Margaret River restaurant

The Margaret River Region in WA's South West will soon welcome a new Italian dining experience, with the team at Cherubino Wines planning to re-open the iconic Caves Road site (formerly Frui Momento) in Spring. Masseria Restaurant will showcase a casual Italian-Mediterranean cuisine using traditional methods with a South West twist. Head Chef Ben Jacob from Yallingup Lagoon has curated an osteria-inspired menu that showcases WA produce with flavours from Italy's culinary hotspots. The wine list will complement the menu, with Cherubino wines featuring alongside a selection of Italian and French wines from Larry Cherubino's import portfolio.