I love eating brunch out so I was excited to hear Cecchi’s in Inglewood is now serving brunch everyday except Tuesday from 7:30am as of yesterday.
My writer Tania headed to Cecchi’s on Thursday to preview the brunch menu and absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to go there myself – the brioche croissants filled with salted caramel ice cream sound and look to die for!
—-
Arriving at Cecchi’s for brunch, I am immediately rapt to find free parking directly out the front. Needing a fast getaway, I am relieved to realize I can savour my time inside the restaurant rather than leave early to sprint around the block, to retrieve my car. Nothing worse on a full stomach!
My belly growls with hunger as breakfast and lunch aromas mingle together to entice me into the courtyard. Long wooden benches dotted with cushions, border half a dozen square timber tables and chairs. A grape vine clambers over one wall and dappled spring sunshine peaks through the shade sails. The effect is casual and inviting with room to move, so there’s little chance of invading anyone’s space.
Kylee and Mark Cecchi, both 23, have opted to maximise the feeling of space throughout the indoor dining areas, by refusing to cram tables into every available nook and cranny. A hallway divides the eatery into two distinct rooms. One has a cosy feel with cushioned chairs and a wall full of wine. If you crave a little privacy, a partition partially closes off a section with just two tables overlooking the courtyard. Across the corridor, lies the kitchen, bar, serving counter and second dining room which opens onto the courtyard. Light streams in (and the occasional fly), giving the feeling of al fresco dining.
Cecchi’s launched three years ago, initially serving dinner and then including lunch, with seasonal menu changes. Now they have decided to open for brunch from Wednesdays to Mondays, 7.30am to 3pm. With Mark as Head Chef, the menu is unique but distinctly Italian influenced, which is a nod to his heritage. He cut his teeth in the kitchen of Savini, his parents’ Italian restaurant where Kylee waitressed. Together since they were 12, the couple traveled to Italy for a year where Mark practiced his craft in his hometown before honing his skills under the tutelage of Scott O’Sullivan at Red Cabbage. He prefers to remain ensconced in the kitchen while Kylee greets every customer, pours water and takes orders.
Kylee explains that everything is made on the premises from scratch, including the pasta. Some items on the menu need to be translated such as ‘pugliese’ and ‘asiago’ but this is done to provide the opportunity for the waitstaff to go into detail about the dish, which they do willingly. All Cecchi’s breads are made in-house, including gluten free and is included with some meals at no extra cost. I chose the seared salmon, spinach and egg white omelette, with asparagus gremolata and two slices of bread, for $19. The price is reasonable as the portion size is good. The omelet was juicy, the salmon a touch dry but still full of flavor and the asparagus added a crunchy kick. I would never think to put any of those ingredients together but they accompanied each other perfectly and I felt healthy while eating it.
Fellow Perth food blogger The Breakfast Confidential’s crispy pork belly, choucroute, peas, brioche crumb and poached egg was also $19. She described it as a “hearty spring dish with big flavours” that left her feeling pleasantly full. The pork had enough meat on it but she would have liked the crackling to be crispier.
Whilst Laura Moseley ate the mushroom trifolati, ricotta and goats cheese mousse, fried egg and toast for $17. She said the dish had delicate flavours and the mushrooms tasted buttery garlic. We were all impressed with our meals and Laura commented that many of the dishes could be eaten post workout, that’s how healthy they sounded!
To finish, the three of us shared two dessert croissants. The salted caramel ice cream flowed from the brioche croissant, cool and smooth. The vanilla/chocolate custard was just sweet enough. One croissant would be enough if you had eaten nothing else, but we agreed that sharing was adequate after scoffing a main meal. The food is so light, I ate much more than I would normally do but I didn’t feel stuffed.
I washed my meal down with an ice-cold coke, but all the juices are cold pressed by The Juicist and cost $7.50 and Liz ordered a 5 Senses flat white coffee for $4.
Kylee and Mark have succeeded in projecting a warm, homely vibe into their rustic restaurant, which I think is testament to their links to family. Old family photographs are dotted along one wall and the old building oozes as much charm as its hosts.
About Tania
Tania is a freelance writer who makes the most of Perth’s spectacular weather by frequenting coastal cafes, preferring to hibernate in the winter. Tasty food, ice-cold drink and interesting companion or can’t-put-down book are all the simple pleasures she needs to get through the day.
Disclaimer: foodie cravings was invited as a guest, see disclosure policy for more details.
