Landed in Perth really late and was looking for a place to eat. Most of the places were closed at 9pm. Picada was about to close but there was a large party that was not leaving anytime soon. The owner/manager decided to let us in.

Located right behind The Westin Perth, Picada attracted our attention with the hip music that was blasting out of their premises in this quiet neighbourhood in the CBD.

It could have been a cliche at any other tapas joint, but at Picada the tunes were winningly free of flamenco riffs, morose acoustic guitar, castanet rattling or Enrique Iglesias. But it did deliver fantastic tapas.

Vámonos de Tapas 

Brought to you by chef Graham Arthur, the vibrant dining room in Hibernian Square is a space to relax, connect and enjoy the warmth and wonder of Spanish cuisine.

Jamon croquettes

Croquettes originated in France, where they feature a mashed potato center, but when croquettes traveled down to Spain, they became croquetas, and took on something a bit different.

Perfect appetisers to start the dinner (or supper), Croquetas de Jamon were tasty Spanish Ham Croquettes that were filled, not with potatoes, but with a creamy bechamel sauce.

Chorizo, lemon

Some do it by adding pan fried chorizo with lemon sauce. I prefer to leave it aside.

Patatas bravas, spicy ketchup alioli

Patatas bravas is a classic tapas dish, and basically are cubes of potato with a spicy, tomato sauce. They are many variations on the sauce, and this one made it as a spicy mayonnaise. The natural starch of the potato formed a crust on the outside like chunky french fries with a slight curry flavouring dusted on.

Roast portobello mushrooms, spinach, chilli, ajo blanco, almonds

This was my favourite tapas for the evening. The roasted portobellos were very well seasoned and the natural umami of mushrooms was well received.

Moorish lamb meatballs, charred cucumber, soured cream & herbs

I was hoping for more sauce and better grilled meatballs, although the lamb meatballs were delicious.

Sardine escabeche, tomato, pickled garlic, grilled bread

I love fresh sardines, and I would order them if they are available on the menu. In Singapore you always get the deep fried version. I enjoy this grilled version better.

Deck them up and eat it like a sandwich. It’s delicious.

Catalan tomato bread

Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread), or in Catalan pa amb tomaquet, is a popular Catalan tapa made with simple ingredients including fresh tomatoes, hearty bread, garlic, and olive oil, and nothing else.

Spanish cured meat board, pickles, bread

And no tapas can be without fantastic cured meat and hams from Spain’s famous Iberia pigs that ate acorns as their diet. These are Australian hams and cured meat made with locally sourced pigs, but they were delicious nevertheless.

Simple yet satisfying dinner, will come again if I am in Perth no doubt.

Picada
Hibernian Place, Shop 4, Ground Floor/480 Hay St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Tel : +61 8 9325 4886

Visited Jun 2023

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