There’s no shortage of Asian eateries in Perth, but none quite like Magnolia BBQ. Two nights a week, chefs Jacob D’Vauz (ex-Rockpool, Madalena’s) and Anisha Halik transform Modus Coffee’s Vic Park cafe into a candlelit dining room powered by a custom woodfired Zesti oven. 

The ever-changing menu draws from the Malay Archipelago – Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia – and is threaded with Halik’s Christmas Island background. But Magnolia is not bound by tradition. Instead, every dish is filtered through the pair’s own memories, intuition, and decades of combined hospitality experience.

That might mean Abrolhos Island scallop crudo with green mango, sambal hijau and kerupuk (a deep-fried fish cracker). Or Fremantle swordfish chops, brushed with sambal and served a broth of Stakehill Farm tomatoes.

Despite only opening on Thursday and Friday evenings, it takes a village – and an entire week – to prepare for service. Chicho Gelato supplies the gelato, croissant roti is made with the offcuts from Goods Bakery, and the sambal is prepared by the couple’s aunties. The entire menu is halal and the venue is alcohol-free.