Mood Monday: Hampton & Maley

The household has been mostly in isolation for the last week or so due to illness, so I’ve been feeling a little housebound. And about halfway through our self-imposed quarantine, I received an email from one of our local cafe/restaurants informing me of a new table lunch menu. What an awful taunt! *cue tiny violin*

It was from one of our regular brunch haunts, and they also shared that they’ve just had an anniversary of sorts. It’s been two years since the owners closed the doors on their previous business Restaurant Amusé, one of Perth’s best fine dining restaurants. I’m sure it is no exaggeration to say that the foodies of the city collectively cried dismay when the original announcement was made.

But that (great and terrible) loss, was also my local area’s gain, as it’s also been almost a year since owners Hadleigh and Carolynne Troy opened their new venture, Hampton & Maley. A pursuit they felt was better suited to life with young children. I can’t say I’m complaining, to have their wonderful food and hospitality almost at my doorstep is quite the treat.

When they first opened, we were keen to see what would be on the menu, and we were not disappointed. The offerings were unique and the kind of thing I would expect from Amusé’s innovative owners. Perhaps it was too unusual for some though, because I overheard one of their waitstaff telling a neighbouring table of patrons that the menu was “a little weird, but good”.

In the year gone by we’ve seen tinkering with the menu, and while it has equalised to what I would amusedly (no pun intended) describe as more socially acceptable offerings for the less adventurous, the food (and beverages) are still of a high standard with a twist that makes it uniquely Hampton & Maley.

To say I’m in the mood for brunch right now is an understatement. So until I can get there myself again, let me live vicariously through you, go and try them out.