Patio Bar: A pretty courtyard, interesting wines and great food make this Fremantle spot one to check out

When you live in a place where the weather is so consistently glorious, the courtyard is king. Give me a table in a shady spot, sun shining, the breeze blowing through, and I’m going to be pretty content. At Patio Bar, which took over the spot made famous by X-Wray, they have exactly the kind of tree-lined, vines-on-limestone, umbrella set-up I’m after. But as the cooler weather approaches, I also clock a wood fire and the domed roof overhead and it occurs to me that this could be a pretty ideal spot on an autumn or winter day as well. Noted. We settle into our table and a staff member mentions that we should order at the bar. That’s not an issue but we also end up fetching our own menus, so service initially felt a little on the side of too relaxed. But it picked up from there, and in a cost-of-living crisis, the food was well priced, plus the bar runs regular specials, including happy hours — on this Friday, it’s half-price house wines and some beers from midday until 6pm. They also host musicians and hold regular special events, so keep an eye on their Instagram. We go for the chips with mayo ($12) because I obviously can’t help myself, and I am vindicated: these are crunchy, gorgeous thin-style fries with just the right amount of salt and creamy mayonnaise. I have never been much of a Brussels sprout enthusiast but pair them with smoked labneh and candied pepitas ($18) and I’m intrigued enough to order it. It’s a well-executed dish, with the char on the veg combining with the smoke in the cheese, and the crunch of the pumpkin seeds providing textural contrast. Add a sprinkling of dill, which I am almost always in favour of, and I’m a convert. Pan-fried chorizo with squid and lemon ($18) should be a home run and is. I’d have loved more squid but the flavour combination is a classic for a very good reason. A riff on a Caesar salad comes in the form of a perfectly thin, golden-coated chicken schnitzel, topped with lettuce leaves, parmesan and pangrattato ($26). The sauce coating the lettuce is lovely, creamy and tangy, and a great accompaniment to the crunch of the rest of the dish. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more of it. The subs at Patio are a specialty; there are three, including a crispy whiting version with pickles and slaw and a veggie fritter option with a herbed mayo. I go for the pork belly Cuban sub ($24) with a side salad, but you can also opt for more of the aforementioned chips. I haven’t had a traditional Cuban sub so I can’t speak to its authenticity but this is a great sandwich. The bread is crisped inside, the pork is unctuous with a slightly spicy sauce and the green salad was the right choice as a fresh offset to its richness. Great food, interesting wines, some fiscally responsible specials and an all-weather courtyard mean this might be my first visit to Patio, but it won’t be my last. The verdict: 15/20 Great food, interesting wines, specials and an all-weather courtyard make this a versatile and delicious spot. Patio Bar 4/3-13 Essex Street, Fremantle Open Tuesday-Thursday, 4pm until late. Friday-Sunday, midday until late. Contact patiobar.com.au Bookings Yes