Years ago, Chef scored top husband points by surprising me with an unforgettable dego at now-closed fine diner Restaurant Amuse. That is still one of the best meals we’ve enjoyed in Perth. We were so happy to hear that Head Chef/Owner Hadleigh Troy and his wife Carolynne have set up shop just over the Causeway at Hampton and Maley in Vic Park.
Found at the city end of Albany Highway, Hampton & Maley, is a welcoming café with a gourmet twist. This is my second delicious visit. Our first in 2018 was a fail as far as my photos went – they didn’t do the bountiful brunches justice. I’ve been dying for a return visit ever since!
While the fine dining days are behind him, Hadleigh still keeps the menu deliciously tempting with interesting components and excellent local produce. We were greeted and invited to choose a table. There’s seating outside (dogs are welcome) as well as in. It was chilly, so we opted to take a table inside.
I ordered a flat white (even though I was a minute over my self imposed noon cut-off). We all found choosing a dish difficult, as there is such a good variety of tasty sounding dishes! And if you like a beer with your bacon – good news – Hampton & Maley is licensed.
The Food
Grilled haloumi ($21.50) is cut thick and served with guacamole, herb toast, poached eggs, pine nuts and puffed wild rice. I added bacon for $6. This made it a whopping $27.50 – expensive for a brunch dish. The extra bacon was crisp, plentiful and so smoky – I didn’t regret it a bit. I chose the gluten free option, and was SO ecstatic to eat a real piece of bread and not a teeny tiny square supermarket slice. Hadleigh bakes his GF loves in house. My Mum even treated me to a loaf to take away!
My Dad was impressed with the pumpkin spiced with fermented chilli ($18.50) on toasted sourdough with baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, radicchio and fresh herbs. He added two poached eggs for an extra $4.
My Mum raved about the smoked ocean trout ($24). The tasty trout is smoked in house with tea tree wood and served on a crispy potato rosti, topped with horseradish gribiche, beetroot puree and fresh green leaves.
If you’re dropping in for a coffee ‘n cake, there’s plenty of fresh bakes in the cabinet. I’m so happy to see the Amuse pear has found a home here too!
The hospitality industry is unforgiving and I can 100% understand why a successful chef would want to keep things simple and enjoy a change in favour of friendlier working hours. The Hampton and Maley team are nailing the casual and “cheffy” café offering. Well worth checking out.
Find Hampton & Maley at 59 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park (opposite the Victoria Park bus station).