Besk

Great design pushes this West Leederville favourite forward, from the building itself to the conception of the food and drink menus.

Look at the elements that make Besk not just work but excel and it’s very much about the people here. The drinks offering is nothing short of stellar, from the bar to the adjoining bottleshop. No surprise then, that co-owner Elliot Moore is also a founder of Mane Liquor, which for many offered an entry into craft beer. That’s not to undervalue the wider team who know their drinks. Moore’s business partner is architect Ben Braham. Through great design, they’ve retained industrial character and created an airy and modern space, encompassing a main bar, the cellar, courtyard and pavement-side seating. You can gather a crowd but, equally, you can still find a more intimate spot for a couple or small group. Tom Harper, one-time head chef at Indigo Oscar, helms the kitchen with a wood grill at its core, the heady waft of wood smoke and grilled meats gently drawing you to the question, ‘should we order a few dishes?’ The answer should always be yes, even if it’s just a prawn taco – compact, crisp and banging. Barbecued squid in spätzle has wow factor on the plate but then Harper plays with preserved lemon and tomato butter to give it a degree of complexity that you’d expect in a restaurant vying for awards.