Restaurant Review: Jojo's Cafe

Jojo’s Cafe has been an institution in Perth. It was the place to go for important occasions like birthday lunches or dinners. I must admit the proliferation of new restaurants has seen me bypass golden oldies like Jojo’s. Time to rectify this wrong.

A few months back two friends and I ventured along the jetty to the restaurant. First impressions were that nothing had changed but then I went looking for the entrance. I might admit it was a bit unnerving having to walk around a large barbeque hotplate to enter the restaurant. With no grand entrance it felt a bit like we were coming in the tradesman’s entrance.

Once in we were taken to a table situated on a narrow corridor right next to the small window where the meals came out. While it was interesting getting to look into the kitchen it was curious why we weren’t seated in the more spacious area of the restaurant. We could only surmise that the owners were trying to reduce the number of areas that would need cleaning. Still three ladies of a certain age are unlikely to make to great a mess, surely.

The view was as to be expected (boats and water), the food less so. Being on the water we expected fish and seafood, which were on the menu, however we hadn’t bargained on the heavy italian influence.

I couldn’t go past the seafood platter and was richly rewarded for my loyalty. The range of seafood was impressive and it was pleasing to see the board wasn’t overloaded with chips which can be the case at some places. This was one of the best seafood platters I’ve had.

The service was professional, a little slow given the small number of patrons in the restaurant.

As we ventured back down the jetty towards our cars I pondered:

Jojo’s Cafe continues to be one of the best positioned cafes;
Since the cafe was somewhere I’d take overseas friends, it’s a shame to see the Italian focus;
This cut down version of the old restaurant appears to be focusing more on the wedding and functions in the closed off area out the back. This is a shame as the round room at the end of the restaurant always afforded a lovely atmosphere and wonderful views;
I now understand why it is Jojo’s Cafe not Jojo’s Restaurant, still the food was very good.

For more information got to Jojo’s Cafe.