Rob Broadfield checks out what’s hot, what’s new and where it is at in the foodie world

Drinking in the dock

Fremantle’s new $5 million mega pub and restaurant complex, the Old Courthouse, will open in a couple of weeks with a huge lick of history, great rotisserie chicken and a license for 750 patrons. The 1899-built courthouse buildings, which have lain dormant and dishevelled for 10 years, have been upcycled into a family friendly, modern new dining and drinking destination according to National Hotel (Fremantle) and Old Courthouse owner, Karl Bullers. And there’s real history there. Karl and his general manager Andrew Lambie posed for our photos in the original 1899 dock, the same dock where generations of crims appeared and America’s Cup victor and wide boy Alan Bond and AC/DC’s Bon Scott also stood before the beak. (Bondy faced B&E charges as a youngster. He was a very naughty boy). Paying homage to the old courthouse’s history, the year 1899 has become part of their story with 99 wines on the list (35 by the glass, thank you very much), 18 fine single malts and 18 gins on offer, plus Bullers has sourced a single bottle of 1899 Seppelts Para port, which can’t be bought for love or money anywhere in Australia, and, yes, he will pour it for punters who will probably need to sell an organ to pay for a wee dram. The renovation is sensitive and first-class too. We can’t wait to try it out.

Fortify yourself this summer

Rewind 40 or 50 years and the Swan Valley was at its peak as a fortified wine producer. That’s all they did out there for generations. Back in the day desert-style and fortified were the most popular in Australia, making up for 85 percent of all wines produced. Then they went out of favour as table wine production increased in the 1970s and our tastes changed. Fortifieds are back. We’re told young people are turning on to ports and stickies like never before. Apparently the wines are no longer considered a naff drink for grandad. Which brings us to the 2022 Swan Valley Fortified trail, with 34 wineries joining the trail to showcase their wares. Swan Valley fortified making legend James Talijancich told us “younger fortifieds can be served chilled or as an aperitif and are perfect to have with Christmas pudding or your next cheeseboard.” Check out the trail. Details at www.swanvalley.com.au/trails.

Cor blimey, it’s Christmas

It’s a challenge to single out just one restaurant from the scores of venues doing first class Christmas Day dinners in Perth, but with the rise and rise of cold seafood spreads on WA’s Christmas tables, we thought we’d mention one of the last traditional pub Christmas dinners in P-Town. It’s at West Perth’s Mayfair Lane - which has a love of trad British cuisine at the best of times - and this year its menu includes free range turkey with duck fat potatoes, roast baby carrots, pigs in blanket, buttered kale, roast parsnips, bread sauce and gravy. Be still my beating heart. How about pan roasted Tasmanian salmon with pommes anna, samphire, asparagus and beurre blanc or traditional Christmas pudding with brandy custard and, homemade clotted cream. It’s like being back in Blighty. Pack your statins folks. Merry Christmas.