WITH burger, Indian, kebab, tapas and Japanese joints aplenty, Beaufort Street seems to have every popular cuisine covered, except one very important staple – pizza.
Friendly food-loving Yokine couple Joe and Michelle Rechichi are putting an end to this cuisine crisis with Crust gourmet pizza bar, opening this month at the former Heart & Home gift-shop on Walcott Street.
Mostly a takeaway and delivery outlet with a few seats for diners, the franchise (beginning in Annandale, Sydney in 2001 and now offering four outlets in Perth) should include several alfresco tables later in summer, adding to the bustling street vibrancy of the area.
“We love Mt Lawley and we’re here most weekends eating out,” Joe told Guardian Express.
“It has a good vibe and plenty of food alternatives; probably the only thing it didn’t have was a premium pizza option.”
Beaufort Street Festival revellers recently had the chance to sample free slices in toppings such as Peri Peri chicken, Peking duck, pork belly and Mediterranean lamb.
“We met many people at the event and the pizza was a big hit,” said Michelle, a keen food blogger.
“Joe was flat out making them with staff at the Subiaco store. The first batch went in about 10 seconds and we wondered how we were going to keep going.”
The bubbly young couple are eager to open the outlet, which has endured minor setbacks, as most eateries do.
Full of drive and gusto, they are confident it will be a hit with inner-city locals.
“Crust has such a successful record: on the east coast, it has more than 100 stores and not one has closed down,” Joe said.
“It’s nice to be involved in something relatively new to Perth.
“We’re getting in from the early stages and one day – you never know – Crust might become a household name.”
The pizza bar offers 50 varieties including gluten-free, wholemeal and vegetarian options.
Outlets have opened in almost every Australian state, as well as Singapore, LA and New Zealand.