It’s no secret that West Australians love a barbeque. From Bunnings, misnomer-laden tourism campaigns and Christmas feasts, the idea of the barbeque and Australian culture go hand in hand, so why aren’t there more diners dedicated to the humble Aussie barbie?

Cue Cassia, the newly opened bar and restaurant from the team behind Cosy Del’s and Laika, celebrating the spirit of Australian barbeque.

“Aussie barbeque is as much about what it represents as it is about the food,” head chef Emily Jones (ex-Wildflower, Si Paradiso, Republic of Fremantle) tells Broadsheet. “Proteins cooked over the fire, side dishes made to be shared but, most importantly, friends and families coming together. That is what the Aussie barbeque truly is.”

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As you’d expect, meat is the star attraction: O’Connor beef tartare comes with egg yolk confit in charcoal-infused oil (“you lather it through the beef and get these beautiful smoky flavours coming though”); Mayura Station Wagyu is served as pastrami; and slow-cooked lamb neck has local artichokes as accompaniment.

Seafood is also strongly represented with pickled Port Lincoln mussels; local cuttlefish with smoked eggplant; and colossal Shark Bay tiger prawns brushed with fermented chilli. And veggies also get a look-in. The Brussels sprouts, elevated with miso mustard and fresh jalapenos, are a must-try.

Every dish is imbued with the deep, smoky flavour you’d expect from a venue centred (quite literally) on a custom 1.2-metre woodfired grill.

And what’s a barbeque without a few drinks to sink? The drinks list, curated by co-owner Ru Teow and venue manager Mitch Biggs, comprises 100 per cent Australian wines, locally brewed craft beers and two cocktail lists: one features “spins on old classics that will get you excited”, while the other is cocktails built around spirits from Pemberton’s Rainfall Distillery.

With relaxed service, plush booths hung with garlands of flowers and the gentle hum of fellow diners, Cassia is undoubtedly more elevated than your run-of-the-mill barbeque joint. The venue will really come into its own in summertime when the team will open the large windows and retract the roof to allow the Freo Doctor to do its thing.

Cassia
3/45 Henderson Street, Fremantle
0438 795 582

Hours:
Wed & Thu 4pm–10pm
Fri & Sat 11am–10pm
Sun 11am–9pm

www.cassiafreo.com.au/
@cassiafreo