Jus Right

SERVING UP THE PERFECT BURGER IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS, BUT ONE PERTH BURGER BAR IS CONSISTENTLY HITTING THE MARK. BY BELINDA CIPRIANO

   
What makes a good burger - ah-mazing? I get this question asked of me a lot. To some it’s the delicious, tender patty, while for others it’s the sweet taste of the relish or a combination of both.

   Like most people, I love a good burger and when asked who makes the best in the city I have got to give it to Jus Burgers, time and time again.

   Jus Burgers, the brainchild of foodie Justin Bell, opened its first store in Leederville in January 2009 and has since expanded to Subiaco, Fremantle and more recently Northbrige.

   And while the Guvnor, Spanish Snag, Mullet and Pommy all sound like a prelude to a cheesy joke, they are in fact all names of the delicious burgers available at this burger bar/institution.

   On my recent visit to Jus, I ordered the Pommy Burger with a side of onion rings while my friend ordered the Spanish Snag with a serve of chips.

   My Pommy burger was just as I remembered it – how could I forget (I don’t even look at menu anymore, even though I should) it’s the only burger I order off the menu and it never, ever fails to disappoint.

   Western Australian Amelia Park Beef, which is Meat Standards Australia approved, hormone free, char-grilled, cheddar and back bacon served on a Turkish bun with homemade aioli, relish, lettuce, tomato and Spanish onion – this burger is to die for – especially for those who are a bit more carnivorous.

   The Spanish Snag devoured by my friend was equally delicious and similar to the Pommy burger but served with chorizo sausage and sweet red peppers instead.

   Our sides were just the right size and having never tasted the Jus’ onion rings, I have to say I was impressed.

   Made fresh daily, as with everything served up by Jus, these delightful rings were the perfect accompaniment to my delicious burger and left me more than satisfied.

   I love what Justin Bell has brought to Western Australia and the way he supports WA growers and suppliers but most of all I like that his burgers are always jus right!

   JUS BURGERS NORTHBRIDGE

   Open:

   Monday and Sunday 11.30am to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am to 10pm

   Where:

   Shop 11/189 William St Northbridge 9227 0668 www.jusburgers.com.au  

HUNGRY FOR IT Jus Burgers director Justin Bell tucks in to a Pommy burger 

The delicious Pommy with a side of onion rings.

Jessica follows up on Ruby’s Campaign

IT’S not often your fictitious novel becomes reality but that’s exactly what happened to author Jessica Rudd, daughter of former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

   The 26-year-old’s first chick-lit novel Campaign Ruby, which was based around the plot of a prime minister overthrown by his female deputy, was released just as her dad’s leadership was challenged by now Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

   Her second penning, Ruby Blues, is a follow up to the first novel and finds the main character Ruby Stanhope going through the lows experienced when working with a first-term government that isn’t faring too well.

   Speaking to Jessica during her whirlwind book tour around the country, the Canberra-born, Brisbaneraised and now Beijing-based writer said she was excited to be home and was looking forward to meeting everyone on the tour.

   “I miss everything about Australia,” she said.

   “I’m really looking forward to travelling around the country and getting back to WA. It will be great having a chat and a laugh with everyone – I love what your great state has to offer.”

   Describing the character of Ruby in her second novel as a bit of a cow and a best friend in a terrible mood, Jessica said she decided to write the sequel as she knew the character had a lot more to offer readers.

   “Originally the idea of Ruby came from when I was living in London with my husband and it was in the middle of the financial crisis,” she said.

   “At the time, a lot of investment bankers were losing their jobs and one of the things I wanted to explore with Ruby was that sense of having lost your job and the depression that comes with that, and also the excitement that can come from the clean canvas.

   “I took her way out of her comfort zone when she lost her job as an investment banker in London. I put her in Australia and I put her in politics.

   “In Ruby Blues, two years on, she is struggling at work, her relationship is disintegrating, the Government is doing terribly, and she’s just finding it hard to get that sense of fun and adrenalin back into the game.

   “But even now, I don’t think Ruby is finished yet. I think she has a lot more to do with her life.”

   When asked about what her family thought of her book this time round, considering the sequence of events following Campaign Ruby, Jessica said they were extremely supportive of her writing career but her dad and husband have yet to read the book.

   “My dad hasn’t read it yet, nor has my husband and one of my brothers hasn’t read it yet,” she said.

   “But mum has and she loved it. She was really thrilled and gave me encouragement along the way but I am looking forward to seeing what dad, my husband and my brother think of it.

   “It’s always really interesting when you give your work to the people you love because they are always looking for you in your protagonist, even if subconsciously.

   “My brother said to me last time ‘I can really hear your voice in Ruby’, which kind of frustrated me to be honest because I tried really hard to create believable Brit.”

   Jessica read excerpts from her book Ruby Blues at her book launch at the Joondalup Library last week.


belindac@communitynews.com.au  

Fashionista’s tips for the new season

Fashion blogger Alyce Cowell gave out style tips at Westfield Innaloo last week.Pic by Dom Menegaldo

WESTFIELD Innaloo got a visit from Alyce Cowell, one of Australia’s savviest shoppers, as part of a series of in-centre events held around the country last week.

The 23-year-old fashionista whose job it is to shop and blog for a living hosted the events, which showcased the current spring/summer trends and answered questions about the biggest fashion challenges of the season.

The former editor of Covet Magazine and Sportsgirl stylist said the style session at Innaloo involved making over two local women, discussing key trends and investment pieces for the wardrobe.

“The style session was fantastic; we taught the ladies how to get more for their money by building key investment pieces for their summer wardrobe and how to take them each from day to night,” Alyce said.

“Our two Facebook fans who were chosen were naturals on stage as our real women models.”

With spring in full swing and summer just around corner, Alyce also talked about the trends of the season and how they could be worked into most wardrobes and suit different body types.

“Colour blocking is the biggest spring/summer trend but we’re also seeing big movements towards other trends like boho, animal print, white on white, monochrome and stripes,” she said.

“The trends for this season are great because they’re all really adaptable for different ages, shapes and lifestyles.

“It can be daunting experimenting with new trends, so my tip is to tailor it for you.

“For example, if you’re not an animal print person but would love to start wearing it, try adding an accent instead, through a heel or clutch until you’re comfortable.”

Other tips she offered shoppers was to add a bit of colour to an outfit with accessories and to buy a great pair of jeans.

“It sounds boring, but when you have the building blocks of your wardrobe sorted, you can start having fun with trend items and mixing and matching for multiple looks,” she said.

“A pair of well-cut jeans that suit your shape will never date.”

NEW LOOK, NEW MENU @ Rydges CBD Restaurant Perth

I haven't written a personal restaurant review on this blog for a while. There's a few reasons why - I do it a lot for work and just like everybody else like to enjoy dining out sometimes without having to take notes, pics etc, secondly you can read a lot of my reviews in ishoperth and lastly I haven't come across a great lunchtime feed in a while - that is until I dined at the Rydges CBD Restaurant last week. This, well this I had to share.

I had actually heard the hotel's CBD Restaurant had gone through a few changes including with their menu and their new head chef Sam Southall (who I interviewed earlier this year see ishoperth interview below) so when thinking of places to dine for a girlie catch up I thought I'd give it a go.

The lunch menu (see below) is reasonably priced with the most expensive item on the menu Wagyu @ $62. On this day the two of us tried the Cauliflower Soup with truffled hazelnut honey (AMAZING!) for our entree and the linguini with meatballs, parmesan, tomato, tomato and basil was my choice for a main.

I'm not one to go for soup when I dine out, because I'm usually left underwhelmed, but this delicious and light dish served in a little le creuset pot was just beautiful. Creamy but not rich and just delightful I could have easily had a second serve - yum!

The linguini was cooked perfectly al dente (to the tooth) and the combination of tomato, olive, basil and parmesan is always going to be a winner for me. Add to that melt -in-your-mouth meatballs and I'm a happy girl. 

It was a pleasant afternoon and sitting amongst the city suits lunching it was nice to relax and not worry about going back to work or even having to write anything down - just perfect. So next time you're in the city drop in and say hello, have a bite, or enjoy a drink and say I sent you ;) Bom Approveito!

Linguini with meatballs, tomato, olives and basil - YUM!

NEW LUNCH MENU

My interview with CBD Restaurant head chef Sam Southall