Ransi

Im struggling to pick 3 because I find the standard of foods in most "restaurants" to be total and utter crap...

The one in the Joondalup Golf Resort is good.

Ransi

Its worth going there just for their chips...

ozzieeagle

It's hard to find a bad place in Melbourne. Excluding pub food of course, Where was the last place you had a decent meal.

Pretty sure I/we will be in Brisbane and probably Sydney in March, so keep erm coming please.

Ransi

Im West Side.

CadburysFingers

Royal India in West Perth
Chilis in Joondalup
Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle

Also good Spinnakers at Hillarys

killamarsh

Sorry this in not personal but I just find the whole 'bling' thing so shallow.

northernbird

Ransi

They make the best focaccias.

steve99

The Witches Cauldron seriously? I detest that place with a passion, I would have to say it has probably provided the worst dining experience in Perth in the 5 years ive been here 2 visits equally as poor. It reminds me of a Bernie (sp) Inn from about 15years ago, except the decor is more like 30years old, the prices are a serious piss take, and the food is glorified stodge, they keep banging on about these garlic prawns, which are something like $26 as an entree, there basically a few prawns in a clay dish with a heap of garlic that is completely burnt by the time the dish has cooled enough to be able to eat it.
There was a good review on it in the Saturday magazine the other week, the guy was as bemused about the place as I was and couldnt understand how their was so much hype about the place. He panned it big time.

Anyway, back to the original question. Choosing 3 is tough.

I'd go with The Red Herring (great location, and consistently above average food) www.redherring.com.au
The Grand Palace (Chinese) is probably the best Chinese in town www.grandpalace.com.au (although I have recently heard good things about Yu at Burswood Casino)
Coco's or In Contro in South Perth are also pretty good, and benefit with the great view back across the river to the city. www.cocosperth.com www.incontro.com.au

These arent necessarily my favourite restaurants, I can think of others id prefer to go to for certain occasions, that might have better food and ambience etc, but maybe not quite the same level of Wow...

Dom the Pom

McDonalds, Whitfords
Red Rooster, Canning Vale
Hungry Jacks, South Perth

DianneH68

It's not particularly posh and the food is generally only average to good, but I always enjoy taking visitors down Hardware Lane.
There's something special about sitting outside on a warm evening with a bit of live jazz and there's always a great vibe which, as far as I'm concerned, is more important than the food.
And there's also some decent bars around that area for drinks afterwards, including Australia's Bar of the Year 2007, the Golden Monkey
http://www.goldenmonkey.com.au/

ozzieeagle

This is really great, I'm getting tips for places in the city I've lived in for decades and never thought of going. I think I've briefly visited Hardware lane in the long distant past, but never on a buzzy Friday or Saturday evening. Thanks for this.

Also all the recommendations from Perth have opened my eyes a little, it's got quiet a reputation over here, from local Aussies as a quiet city, where most of the entertaining is done, around BBQ's and houses. So to see all those places recommended is very pleasing and changing my view as to how I was going to spend my leisure time in any future visit. Basically the most positive things I've heard about Perth from Melbournians is "you must go to Freo" and thats about it. So thanks guys..

TrickyTree

Went to Donovans at St Kilda after proposing to the ball and chain and had a fabulous meal/french champagne with great service and the view was awesome.

http://www.donovanshouse.com.au/

moneypenny20

For bling on the GC you can't go further than Palazzo Versace. I've not eaten there - not done any expensive, push the boat out meals since we've been here - but have heard good things of it.

The other one that springs to mind is Oskars at Burleigh - supposed to be fab. Was hoping to go for my birthday but hubby didn't pick up the hints and we went for an indian instead which was fab but not 'special'. You may or may not get down here whilst in Brissie, but thought I mention them anyway

rabsody

I've eaten there twice, few years ago now, was bloody lovely!

On GC, good restaurants are: Absynthe (in Q1 building), Fellinis, Moo Moo (haven't been so can't vouch personally but used to work in hospitality industry and they get awards every year), and there's a few nice ones on Main Beach which aren't total break the bank numbers and good for people watching (all the bling bling nouveau riche trying to outpose each other - good for a laff anyway!).

Another I forgot in Brissy that I haven't been to yet, but keep hearing recommended is Montrachet (french food). E'cco always gets a good rap, went once, it was ok (we were drunk tho!)

For cheaper cafe style/tapas meals, anywhere at the Emporium complex in the Fortitude Valley is good, they have about 5 different cafe/bistros and all are good (partic Depot and Capri)!