17/6 Kingsbridge Boulevard, Butler
Ph: (08) 9562 1400
www.firesidegrill.com.au
Warm & Cosy in Butler
On a cold winter’s day, we dropped into the Fireside Grill in Butler to try some of their slow-cooked meat and pizza, cooked in the huge wood-fired pizza oven which gives the place its name.
Perth’s northern suburbs have grown immensely over the last decade, and Butler is no exception. Being an area with a high proportion of British ex-patriates, we expected to find some British favourites on the menu as well as the pizza and pasta, and we were not disappointed.
We started with a Margarita pizza straight out of the oven – fresh and tasty cheese and tomato topping a light and fluffy base. It was a good starter. They have a range of different pizza toppings and also have gluten-free pizza bases available for anyone so inclined.
Next we shared a Pulled Pork Burger – tender tasty pork shoulder slow-cooked for hours overnight in the oven, with fresh kale, carrot and apple coleslaw and more than a hint of chilli. You can add extra chilli if desired. The meat was beautifully seasoned with a sauce flavoured with yoghurt, apple and mustard, and it was served on a brioche bun, with a basket of excellent chips to accompany it.
The most popular dish on the dinner menu is the Yorkshire Sliders – It was a trio of traditional British Yorkshire puddings – filled with slow cooked beef and roasted veggies, tasty Cumberland sausage and mash, and tender chicken with stuffing and gravy. This is a really good winter dish, hearty and filling, and a novel take on the classic three sliders.
Finally, we tried the most popular lunch dish – and it’s easy to see why this one is a winner. The Cuban Sandwich was absolutely delicious. A Turkish bread roll filled with Swiss cheese, smoked ham, more of that yummy pulled pork, gherkins, spicy sauce, mustard and mayo – it was a flavour explosion in the mouth. This also came with a basket of chips. The quality of the chips served in any establishment is an indication of how much they care about their food, and these were definitely good chips.
Owner Darren Gregory first started as a chef 30 years ago in the UK, before joining the British Army for 23 years, finishing as a Warrant Officer Class One. He served in some of the world’s trouble spots such as Iraq, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan. In 2012 he and his young family moved to Perth in search of a drier warmer climate for his daughter who has cystic fibrosis. After a few years of working for other people, Darren realised a long-held dream, opening his own restaurant in January 2019.
Fireside Grill has a welcoming feel with an open layout and smart furniture. The pizza oven in the corner helps to keep the place warm and inviting on a cold day. In summer, with the doors open, a nice breeze flows though and keeps it cool. There is an outdoor alfresco area for warmer days.
Open from Tuesday through to Sunday for lunch and dinner, with live entertainment on Thursday nights, the venue is licensed, with plenty of beers available, and Darren has ventured to the Swan Valley to hand pick some wines to accompany his food. The locals have embraced the venue and many of the regulars are on first name terms with Darren and his staff.
by Georgina Goss
