Winter spells out plenty of perks for foodie lovers; from piping hot chocolate to hearty soups, braised meals simmered for hours on end and less dessert-guilt covered by layers of thick jumpers and coats. The cooler months also bring along with it the exciting culinary opening season of truffles, and what better way to celebrate the magnificent flavour and aroma of this black gold than to add them to something equally as pleasurable: the good old cheese toastie. The result? Livingstone Urban Jungle's Lord Byron truffle toastie.
Justin Blackford, owner of the quaint little outdoor cafe opposite the Western Australian art gallery at the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge has created perhaps Perth's most luxurious toastie to date. The pop-up style cafe, Livingstone's Urban Jungle, have perfected the art of the grilled sandwich. Named after the iconic British poet and playwright notorious for indulging in life's pleasures, the Lord Byron truffle toastie will help you do exactly that.
With butter sauteed oyster mushrooms from pecially made truffle-infused sourdough from Fremantle's Life Cykel, sandwiched between s Wild Bakery, topped with Truffle Hill Wines Chardonnay & thyme macerated Stracchino cheese and a rich truffle bechamel sauce to boot, every element of the toastie screams decadence. The only thing that would top the toastie's opulence is to add freshly shaved truffle; and the Lord Byron wouldn't dream of missing an opportunity to be over-the-top.
Apart from the obvious luxury factor of the Lord Byron, every ingredient is carefully sourced right here in Western Australia. Life Cykel oyster mushrooms are grown and picked right in the heart of Fremantle, from a unique compost blend of used coffee grounds from local cafes. The meaty texture and juiciness of the mushrooms in the toastie provide a robust and hearty component to the toastie that arguably constitutes it as a wholesome meal.
The truffles featured all throughout the toastie, incorporated in the sourdough, bechamel, and freshly shaved in between, hail from Manjimup's Truffle & Wine Co, who also provide the Chardonnay in which the Stracchino cheese is macerated. From May til August, over 40 kilometres of Truffle & Wine Co grounds are scoured by keen truffle-trained dogs to uncover mounds of the good stuff to ship all over WA and the rest of the world. With all these quality local ingredients that come together to be pressed into a delectable toastie right in the kitchens of Livingstone's Urban Jungle, the Lord Byron is a true testament to WA's premium culinary status.
And as for the taste test? Let's just say that I'll definitely be dreaming of it once truffles are out for the season and will be finding ways to replicate this heavenly masterpiece year round. The initial bite's crunch will have grilled sandwich connoisseurs taking notes. Warm and juicy melted cheese will trail from your mouth to your hands in lovely stringy bits, and once you think you've died and reached heaven, a faint aroma of truffle will bring you back to your senses. Seriously, it's just that delicious, you'd wonder how truffles and toasties aren't already a well established combo like peanut butter and jam.
Not a fan of truffles, or toasties? Livingstone's Urban Jungle also serve up a mean selection of toasted and baked goodies, from your not-so-standard cheese toastie to fully loaded bagels, to sweet treats such as their totally delicious handmade Florentines and salted caramel slice. Or if you're not particularly hungry, they make a great coffee made out of their own specially made 7 bean blend.
Available from Livingstone's Urban Jungle right up until Sunday 25th June, get yourself a bite of Perth's most decadent and delicious toastie before they're all gone! Open 6.30am to 4pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 4pm on weekends, find out more about Livingstone's Urban Jungle at www.livingstonesurbanjungle.com.au
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Disclaimer: foodie cravings was invited as a guest of Livingstone's Urban Jungle.
