“We both lived overseas for a long time,” says Davies, a trained sommelier of both wine and sake, who has plied his trade in London, New York, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. “We came up with the concept whilst I was living in New York, and it’s been in the works for some time,” he says.

“What we found in New York, especially living in the lower end of Manhattan, was how well they do the neighbourhood bistro and more so how well the neighbourhood responds to these tiny little spaces.” Davies says that he and Pow fell in love with Buvette in the West Village, with its super simple offering, reminiscent of the backstreets of Paris. It is he says, “how we see ourselves eating and drinking; the consumption of food and beverage is incredibly important but what’s far more important is who you’re there with.” 

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Consultant chef Jesse Blake, known in Perth for his work at Petition, but now making a noise on the international stage with projects in Dubai has shaped the menu executed by head chef Josh Chen. Davies says that Blake and his wife Kate Christou, also of culinary note, are friends of friends, and that they bonded over their broad experience and love of hospitality.

While there’s bistro staples like steak frites, there is also a lot of southern French influence coming through says Davies. “Med style stuff, we have brought in to suit the local clientele because we need to have a lot of lighter style salad and seafood dishes,” he says.

Davies has input into the wine list but day to day he says it’s in the capable hands of beverage manager Jackson Gwynne. At just one page it’s “an opportunity to flip it and keep having fun seasonally,” he says. 

La Lune is made up of three “tiny little shops, that are quite old,” says Davies. Working with neighbours Rezen Studio, Davies (who has an architecture and design degree) says “we worked with the design team to ensure we could execute three small, intimate spaces within one large sphere. We’ve got a little cafe, a dining spot, we’ve got a space at the bar to sit and then we’ve got a kind of wine room with a big communal table.” 

While it’s early days for La Lune it seems that Davies and Pow’s vision of creating something with the spirit of their old New York favourites has come true. “We see our locals two or three times a week, he says. “For coffee and breakfast, or a glass of wine, they might pop in for some bites. It’s all very, very casual.”

La Lune
73 George St, East Fremantle WA 6158
Wed-Sat 7am-6pm, Sun 7am-10pm
lalunefremantle.com 

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