Bivouac:

Pronunciation:/ˈbɪvʊak, ˈbɪvwak/

noun

  • a temporary camp without tents or cover, used especially by soldiers or mountaineers.

verb (bivouacs, bivouacking, bivouacked)

[no object]

  • stay in a bivouac:we bivouacked on the north side of the town

Origin:

early 18th century (denoting a night watch by the whole army): from French, probably from Swiss German Bîwacht ’additional guard at night’, apparently denoting a citizens’ patrol supporting the ordinary town watch.

(Oxford Dictionary 2012)

 

This not so temporary camp has a permanent roof, an easily accessible and clean toilet and most importantly, an assortment of tasty treats and bevys served up in a space with clean lines and cool art.

After a couple of beers at Ezra Pound across the road, we trotted over to Bivouac at around 6pm and nibbled on some salty vegetable crisps and a charcuterie plate filled with salami, terrine and baby cornichons, washed down with 4 Pines Krolsh.

Also on offer are ‘small plates’ including Sicilian olives, blue cheese arancini, and Gingin goat chops.  For something more substantial there are a range of ‘big plates’ including slaughterman’s gnocchi, spanakopita, and maklouba of mt barker chicken.

A range of pizza’s and desserts round off the menu.

The crowd are eclectic and they start to fill the space by around 7.30pm.  However, this does not seem to fluster the staff who all seemed really happy to be at work and were incredibly efficient.  They almost bounce around the restaurant.  Very cute.

If only all camping experiences were like this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bivouac Canteen & Bar

{ 0 comments }

Get your elasticated pants at the ready because its buffet time!

So

- Lining up.

- Loading up plate after plate after plate of food.

- Eating food that everyone in your vicinity has breathed on (and probably touched).

- Gaining 5 kilograms in one meal.

- Racing fat children to the dessert station.

I admit, I’m a buffet sceptic.

For those who may be interested in where this food-a-thon originated, the first buffet (or traditional Swedish term ‘Smorgasbord’) became known around the world after the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish fare at New York’s World Exhibition in 1939.

I’m definitely not a regular eater at Australia’s more well known buffet style eatery, Sizzler, but suggested to my parents that we give the Atrium a try, after it was refurbished last year.

My parents and I all have very different foodie preferences, so a buffet that provides a range of culinary experiences seems like the logical choice for feeding my family.

We have been there twice now and my Dad always make a beeline for the prawns and the Asian section, my Mum to the English roast section and me to the salad bar and dim sum area.

Then the rest of the afternoon is spent snacking of cheese and biscuits and scanning the dessert bar which has a good range of delights for the sweet tooth .

I’d be really interested to go in the evening to see if the selection is any different because some of the food does seem a bit light on, particularly when it comes t0 seafood.  I’ve never seen sign of a crab or oyster, and for $50, I don’t think it would hurt to pop some of them in to the mix.

My one major criticism of the Atrium would be the service which I found to be pretty slow, disinterested and at times quite rude.  Fortunately, interaction required with staff is at a minimum at this buffet!

I think the Atrium provides a good, family-friendly (and somewhat more affordable) alternative to some of the other ‘posher’ Burswood eateries such as Nobu and Rockpool.

This weekend it will be the third Newbold family trip for some buffet goodness.

Maybe said scepticism is dwindling…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atrium

 

 

{ 0 comments }

BBQ Pineapple with Chilli and Salt

1 February 2012

Charred sweet pineapple dipped in coarsely ground Malvern salt and chilli, washed down with a big glass of Pimms and lemonade. I don’t need to say more…                    

Read the full article →

Cabin Fever

28 January 2012

Tucked in a little laneway off Barrack Street, Cabin Fever is another addition to Perth’s growing laneway scene. To be honest, I had never heard of it and only discovered it after doing some lunch time shopping at Pigeonhole. Cabin Fever offers a small menu of lunchtime treats, including a range of bagels all priced [...]

Read the full article →

Vegan Pancakes

3 December 2011

Perfect vegan pancakes combined with fresh, organic tropical fruits equals a great way to start a Saturday.   Ingredients 1 1/4 cups of plain flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/3 cup water 1 to 1 1/4 cups plain rice milk or soy milk [...]

Read the full article →

Mana’eesh b’za’atar

29 October 2011

Za’atar – if you don’t have it in your spice rack, go and get yourself some of this zingy Middle Eastern goodness! Mana’eesh b’za’atar simply translates to bread with za’atar and is popular in Levantine, Lebanese and Palestinian cuisine. The spice blend contains a range of herbs and spices including sesame seeds, sumac, salt and [...]

Read the full article →

Yellowcake Street Tasting

26 October 2011

Northbridge.  Japanese instant party.  Hundreds of cakes all shades of yellow.  Art. What better way could you find to escape all things CHOGM and start your long weekend in Perth???                                 On Thursday, 27 October 2011 at 6pm, the Japanese artist [...]

Read the full article →

The Mondo’s Meat Pie

23 October 2011

If a picky former vegan/vegetarian recommends a meat pie, it has to be pretty bloody good! The Mondo’s Beef Pie is just that! This is the only place that I have bought a beef pie from.  And probably will continue to be the only place. The Beef Pie contains tender, slow-cooked beef with no what I [...]

Read the full article →

Saganaki Cheese with Cherry Tomato and Oregano Salad

23 October 2011

    A warm springtime day with a herb garden rapidly filling with organic mint and oregano called for a beautiful springtime salad. This month’s edition of Gourmet Traveller magazine provided me the inspiration for this Saganaki cheese, cherry tomato and oregano salad.   INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 500gm Saganaki Cheese (or haloumi) 400gm cherry tomatos 1/2 [...]

Read the full article →

Pasta con acciughe e pomodoro

13 October 2011

Pasta con acciughe e pomodoro is Italian for Anchovies in tomato sauce with pasta and is considered to be very Sicilian. The recipe is taken directly from Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italy – one of my regular Italian foodie sources. If you’re not a fan of the anchovies, please don’t let the title of this recipe [...]

Read the full article →