Magpie

Setting me back by $58, their Fremantle Octopus Zanzibar, Pumpkin, Fresh Tandoor Bread was a sizeable plate. Though it wouldn’t be my first choice for mains, the octopus was pretty well executed - plump, decently succulent and delightfully smoky as each bite seemed to be kissed by smoke. The pumpkin and tomatoes were gloriously sweet but while the Tandoor Bread was perfect to mop up all the savoury gravy, the dough came off as a tad too dry for me.

Moving to the Small Plates, the Kokoda Ceviche, Coconut, Passionfruit ($26) was a refreshing hit at the table. Wonderfully marinated, the raw fish cubes were served in a zingy, zesty salad (ft. cute cucamelons) and crispies on the side (not too sure if they were rice wafers or sago papad). The kinda Thai-style flavour with the mix of lime juice, lemongrass and coconut milk was amazing as the acidity of the lime was nicely balanced by the sweetness of the coconut as well as the aroma of the uniquely fruity passion fruit pulp.

Full house on a weekday afternoon; Magpie is drawing quite the buzzing lunch crowd with their playful, fresh menu in my opinion.

Starting strong with their snacks, their golden-brown Prawn Tostada, Tomato Fresca ($23) was a moreish combo made with generous plump prawns, ginger flower, prawn head mayo, and a house-fermented tomato salsa. A fun, Mexican-esque dish which resembles a perfectly fried spiced, tangy and umami prawn cake; best with a good squeeze of lime.

Turning up the heat was their Pugliese Burrata, Curried Brinjal Pickle ($34) topped with lots of fried onions. Bold flavours all around, the creamy burrata played second fiddle to the tender and tangy eggplant-based curried pickle, in my opinion. The punchy flavours of the Indian-style relish giving that oomph to the soft Italian cheese; creating a strangely familiar yet strikingly exotic dish.