Battle of the Sangas at The Merrywell

For Little Chef’s birthday we enjoyed a special pre-Derby lunch at the Merrywell. We’ve visited the gastro pub many times since it opened about 6 years ago. The incredibly popular, laid back eatery is always buzzing. Crown Perth had invited us in to taste test their “Battle of the Sanga” specials, where you can choose your team and help out their Perth charity of choice too. It’s a food fight for charity!

We made sure we got there extra early (11.30am) to dine on something delicious before the big game. The wrap around, leafy courtyard is a top place to sit. This time, we sat inside, at a table along the curved window. Despite it being filled to the brim with Dockers and Eagles fans, we could still hear ourselves chat.

Chef, a massive Eagles fan, has been to every Eagles game for the past few seasons. Saying that, the amount of football he actually watched was minimal – since he was working as Executive Sous Chef at Domain stadium. Today, we were lucky to have three tickets to the Derby at Optus Stadium, which was a wonderful birthday surprise for the AFL-mad Little Chef.

The Merrywell’s menu has an easy to eat, American “dude” food vibe. Gluten-free meals are not marked on the menu, so I ask one of the friendly wait people for a bit of assistance. The last couple of times I’ve been to the Merrywell I’ve had the same waiter, who is so happy to help and basically goes through the whole menu and explains the various options for me. He’s lovely.

We shared the lollipop buffalo wings ($21), with blue cheese fondue and celery sticks. This has been a Merrywell menu staple since day dot and long may it continue! The chicken was very tender and the sauce has a good kick, but not overpowering. This was balanced by the creamy fondue. A top share dish.

Chef scoffed the Eagles Big Bird Sanga ($25). This is a “Battle of the Sangas” special on till May 27th 2018. At $25 (including fries and a soft drink) it’s great value and also includes a $5 donation to Telethon! There’s never been a better time to head into the Merrywell! This was stuffed with tender buttermilk fried chicken, oozing cheese sauce, slaw, salad – sandwiched between two waffles.

And for the Dockers fans there’s the tastebud tempting Freo surf n turf sanga with sliced roast beef, crisp popcorn prawns, cheddar cheese, remoulade sauce salad and pickles – which I love the sound of. I also love that $5 from the sale of each of these Freo sangas goes to Ronald McDonald House.

Feeling like something light, I chose the Merry’s Little Lamb tacos ($22), their GF option for these is to serve them in lettuce cups, which is just fine with me. Filled with spiced pulled lamb shoulder, a coriander crema and sweetcorn salsa, they really hit the spot.

For little one’s there’s a kids menu, and on request, they provide some colouring paper and pencils too. Their famous Mac & Cheese Bites feature on the kids menu too. These deep-fried delights were very cheesy and more-ish. Little Chef can’t get enough!

We were a little full, but since it was Little Chef’s birthday, we just had to treat ourselves to something sweet to share. We love s’mores and the Merrywell’s take on this American camping dish is to turn it into an ice cream sandwich – nice one! Vanilla ice cream is wedged between chocolate chip cookies, which are topped with gooey toasted marshmallow and smothered in chocolate sauce.