If page clicks and popularity of a weather story on PerthNow are anything to go by, West Aussies are obsessed with the seasons — the more extreme the better. The aftermath of a massive storm, click. The hottest day of the year, click.
Hail reminiscent of the great 2010 storm that rocked Perth and its car bonnets, click. On the evening we were heading into Fremantle to eat at Ode to Sirens, the headlines told us we’d be met with intense rainfall and potentially hail. Typically, this would be enough to raincheck (sorry, had to) and spend the night by the heater.
But the weekend before I’d eaten at the bar and restaurant, and after raving about it to anyone who would listen, we were all willing to brave what Mother Nature threw at us. Ode to Sirens has a lot going for it. It’s in a gorgeous old building that’s been jazzed up with stylish furniture and quirky embellishments.
Its dedication to good music is evident the moment you walk in to meet a wall of vinyl records. But it’s likely the fun cocktails, mostly WA wines (as well as some Greek ones) and a Greek-inspired menu that draws people in and keeps them coming back. Some diners might request a drink on arrival, but I quickly put in an order for the white bean dip ($11) and homemade pita ($7).
It’s amazing how such a humble ingredient can taste so good with the assistance of salty capers, acidity of preserved lemon and a good slug of olive oil. Also on our list was the weed and feta pide ($18), halloumi saganaki.
