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Read time 3 Mins

Posted 16 Mar 2023

By
Max Veenhuyzen


The bar at Casa in Perth

Those looking for standout natural wines, timeless cocktails and booming small plates will feel right at home at Casa, a polished neighbourhood bar in Mount Hawthorn.

The bar counter at Casa in Perth
Why you goThe rise of loose, casual wine bars has been a notable trend in drinking circles, but what about those occasions that call for something a little more polished? Enter Casa stage right, an up-tempo neighbourhood address – or, as its Latin name suggests, “house” – delivering a considered, across-the-board winning experience while remaining true to the merry nature of modern-day wine bars. Casa’s dining offering is equally notable, not least its Saturday lunch menu, which could be described as elevated room-service feasting.
Why you stayEven before you get to the front door, it’s clear that Casa is a scene. Out on the footpath, couples lean across terrazzo-topped bistro tables, laughing, flirting and drinking. Energy levels are high throughout the venue, whether you’ve nabbed a seat in the main dining room and bar area (yes, you can eat and drink up at the counter or in various nooks throughout the main room) or are part of a larger group out in the courtyard. Casa’s well-dressed clientele and the room’s mid-century flourishes evoke memories of the jet-set era, while the floor team’s sincere service is another throwback to yesteryear.
What drink to orderGrape juice is front and centre at Casa. Those seated in the dining room enjoy sightlines to the fridges where wines are kept at style-specific temperatures. (Across Casa’s service fridges and refrigerated storerooms, management has invested in seven different fridges to store wine under the best possible conditions.) The wine collection is a deep-dive into all things natural, with organically farmed, no-additive drinks the name of the game. Spirits are another strong suit. It’s up to you whether you enjoy yours neat – the thoughtful edit of tequila, mezcal and Mexico’s less-familiar raicilla spirit is a highlight – or in timeless cocktails such as bracingly icy house Martinis and silky Negronis.
Some of the wines on offer at Casa in Perth
Several dishes on offer at Casa, Perth
What to pair it withAlthough most wine bars serve food, Casa’s offering places it towards the top of the table. The menu reads like a CV of chef Paul Bentley’s career, with the biggest sections set aside for Mexico (that would be the octopus al pastor toast brightened with pineapple chutney and aïoli, and vegan-friendly pumpkin-seed dip) and his classical French training – here’s looking at you, crème caramel and steak tartare. Pro tip: go hard on the focaccia. The squishy bricks are among the city’s best flavour sponges. Themed prix-fixe set menus (such as bistro classics) that change monthly take the decision-making out of your hands, freeing you to concentrate on the drinks list. Saturday lunches see the kitchen turn its attention to club sandwiches, Caesar salads, a very good hamburger and other hotel room-service classics served alongside Bloody Marys, Mimosas and more daytime-friendly libations.
Why we love itThere’s always a reason to visit Casa. The crew don’t like things to stay still for too long, demonstrated by a menu that seems to be in perpetual flux – Paul is a master at setting small-plate lures on his Instagram – as well as a very active guest-chef program. Guests in the main dining room are serenaded by tunes played through a vintage set-up that can be traced back to Paradise Recording Studio, a Sydney legend where seminal Aussie bands such as Cold Chisel, INXS and Icehouse recorded.
Pouring a glass of red wine with a plate of pasta
The wine fridge at Casa in Perth
Don’t leave without Those fridges aren’t there just to look good – they also showcase Casa’s elite bottle-shop offering. All wines feature both drink-in and takeaway prices, swing tags around the bottles providing guidance. Of course, staff are also on hand to make introductions between you and your new favourite bottle of wine. Or you could just take home another bottle of that flashy Adelaide Hills pinot grigio you enjoyed with your squid-ink pasta.
Who to takeAlthough not quite in the CBD, Casa’s Mount Hawthorn address is close enough to the city centre to qualify as a legit after-work option. The bar is also down the road from the re-energised Leederville precinct so would slot nicely into a bar hop or night out in the area. While the playlist may occasionally feature something a little more upbeat, Casa isn’t somewhere you’d go specifically to dance; rather, this is somewhere you go to enjoy catch-ups, whether that be as a date, double date or with a group of friends.