Parlapa Restaurant, Fremantle

Visiting Parlapa in Fremantle was a delight. I met Ada, her husband Giorgio, and her daughter Martha during one of my movie events. It was when I learnt that she owns a cafe in Fremantle.

Ada in action at Parlapa

Fast forward a few months, I decided to pay Parlapa a visit for a birthday lunch feast with Daniele. The restaurant is super colourful from outside. Ada explained to me that the word 'parlapa' means extraordinary in the area that she came from. It's not an Italian word, no wonder Daniele had no clue about it.

Parlapa is a small restaurant and can fit between 20-24 people. I love the ambience inside, and it was quite busy when we were there on Saturday. Ada's personality as the host in Parlapa really shines through her hospitality, conversation, and warmth.

There was a young man who sat there and finished her meal. He walked up to the counter and asked Ada, "If I were to have my last meal here, what would you recommend?" This was how I found out about Parlapa's gnocchi with 5 hr slow-cooked beef ragu.

Daniele ordered his gnocchi, and I opted for another favourite. The traditional carbonara. When I said traditional, Mister Balzarro cooked it using egg, and delicious guanciale. Both dishes make you want to roll your head back in pleasure. In our case, we felt so relax and happy after our meals.

I asked Daniele about gnocchi because different chef prepares their gnocchi differently. He went on his lecture mode and explained that depending on the region where the chef came from, gnocchi gets made individually. Some will use saffron, some will be served creamy, cooked soft, or harder. I guess in this case there is no right and wrong when it comes to gnocchi!

Daniele said being at Parlapa and listening to everyone spoke Italian made him felt like he was transported back to his holiday in Italy. I have never been, but it was terrific to see the cafe was bustling and busy.

Take yourself to Parlapa if you're around Fremantle. They open from Monday to Saturday until 4 PM. Don't forget to spend some time reading some news articles written about them, plastered over the wall. Maybe I'll even see you around there one day!