PREMIER Colin Barnett may have recently made some harsh comments about Northbridge, but that didn’t stop him attending the launch of a new Northbridge bar and restaurant last month.
The Premier was one of the people at the launch of Harry’s Bar, which has opened at the former Simon’s Seafood Restaurant site on Francis Street.
The family team of local industry veteran Garry Griffin and his sons, head chef Paul and front-of-house manager Mark, run the new venue.
Mark said despite some bad publicity about Northbridge, the area had a bright future.
“We’re here for the long term,” he said.
“It’s a lively area and with entrepreneurial and urban renewal developments, the long-term prospects are good.
“We’re also in a niche street that the kind of people who know Northbridge well like to come to.”
Mark said Simon’s owner and local restaurant identity Harry Ferrante had helped them set up the business by allowing them to get started while he was still trading at the site.
Harry’s Bar offers a range of food and drink options, including an oyster bar, a full bar menu including steaks, fish and wood-fired pizzas and a rear dining area that offers an interesting menu-free dining experience.
Paul said diners were asked whether they had any special dietary requirements or dislikes before Paul designed a small-portion menu of about four courses to be shared.
“My background is in French, Mediterranean and Asian cooking and the menu will have those influences using fresh Australian produce,” he said.
Harry’s Bar also has a big emphasis on drinks and cocktails and is the only Perth venue with the full range of boutique Kiwi beer Monteith’s on tap, as well as two of its own signature brands, also made by Monteith’s.
There is also an impressively decorated outdoor area with a Singaporean alleyway feel called Tiger Alley that is sponsored by Singaporean beer Tiger.
Mark said Harry’s also did beer tasters with or without food using wooden paddles.
“We aim to be the top cocktail bar in Northbridge,” he said.
Garry said the bar was open until midnight Tuesdays to Saturdays and he was trying to get a late licence that would enable it to remain open until 2am.
The Griffin family have been preparing the venue for more than seven months, but Garry said he was not greatly worried by the financial woes that had affected the market in that time.
“It’s always a concern but people still go out, they just look for venues that offer good value for money,” he said.
“It tends to affect venues that over-charge.
“Our approach is to cater to our target market, make sure people have a good time and keep the prices reasonable.”
Harry’s Bar also has DJ entertainment on Friday nights and a live band on Saturday nights.