Now first things first – this is not going to be review of where to get a good kebab at 3am. The art of eating out in Northbridge has a lot more to offer and it’s a great way to make your Parade night a delicious experience.

The Parade makes for a truly magical night. The streets are full with crowds all vying for the best vantage point with many looking with envy at those clever people who reserved a place in one of the many restaurants that line the streets of the parade route. Now… we have never been among those clever people, so we decided to walk the streets of Northbridge to see what we think would be the best vantage points for the Parade, as well as have a look at a few of the stars in Northbridge’s culinary tiara.

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One of the most wonderful aspects of food in Northbridge is the diversity of Asian cuisine. However, with so many to choose from – which are the one’s to try and which do you walk on by? Good wholesome Vietnamese starts at the no frills Viet Hoa, 349 Williams Street. We love this place and we are not alone – it’s always packed! We sit and while eating, the aromas and clean crisp flavours permeate our bodies and comfort the soul, leaving the restaurant feeling content with out the bloated-ness that occurs at most Asian restaurants. Have the Roast Duck Noodle Soup and ask for it to be dry, it’s so much more fun eating it this way, you must dine in early for this one as it’s a popular dish that usually runs out by 8pm. Another fave of ours is the Roast Pork and Wonton Soup: a-maze-ing! The silkiness of the wontons goes down a treat.

Now for a truly complete parade experience; why not go Greek? The Greek Taverna, 124 James Street Northbridge, has been a cornerstone of the Northbridge dining scene for many years with its relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and vibrant flavours.
The wood fires and Greek music set a lovely scene with real Aloe Vera plants which make for a pleasant surprise as we loathe fake plants in any establishment. Nothing screams cheap like fake plants. The setting itself is lovely, if a little dated, and the food well priced, if a little uninspiring. But truly the biggest appeal for Pride night is the outside eating area and the ability to fill your night with clever puns. So go Greek: we recommend everyone should try it at least once in their lives, who knows, you may really like it…

After leaving The Greek Taverna, roaring with laughter and thinking ourselves very funny we then saw what was the icing on the pun cake – A Fishy Affair. Again, this place has been here for forever and a day and the old girl does seem to be showing her age. Nothing about it seems fresh and innovative but having said that you get decent bang for your buck and as far as locations for parade viewing… it’s got that in spades. The staff seemed to us to be a little distracted but when focused were pleasant and knowledgeable. The seafood platter is a great way to go – al fresco always lends itself to a shared dining experience we feel. One main problem with the food however is that everything else we tried (salmon and sides of vegetables) was overcooked. But again for naming rights for Pride night, we couldn’t help but have a chuckle.

So whether its for a quick bite before the Parade or a place to settle in and view in comfort, Parade night should be an opportunity to go and spend some time enjoying what Northbridge has to offer. The choices are vast, and there are many little gems to choose from so make it an opportunity to revisit some old favourites and discover some new ones. The Northbridge community has fought hard to keep the Parade and businesses really do embrace the event so go and throw some of those pink dollars around and really experience the home of Pride.

Next month; we are going to be doing it outdoors…

Lee & Sandro