Few can deny the appeal of fine dining in even finer company.
As the late, great Anthony Bourdain rightly said, “I choose this meal and this order, and I choose you, the person across from me, to share it with. There’s a beautiful intimacy in a meal like that.”
It is not just that eating and sex are both highly sensory experiences. It is also that the act of a tête à tête over a good meal creates a connection which transcends culture, class and creed, as food is one of our most fundamental needs and pleasures.
The good news is that while Perth was once considered a mining outpost, in recent years our food service scene has matured by leaps and bounds, with savvy restauranteurs taking advantage of our phenomenal local produce and weather to create some of the most delectable dining destinations in the country. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of every fabulous restaurant in Perth, here are a few of my favourite haunts in which to experience epicurean eroticism with my lovers.
Wildflower
With an ever evolving menu based on the six Nyoongar seasons, this jewel ensconced in the crown of the historical State Buildings utilises native West Australian ingredients to create outstanding culinary art. The exquisitely presented food under head chef Michael D’Adamo isn’t the only visual attraction – the elegant rooftop restaurant overlooks the city skyline and river. They also have a wonderful array of non alcoholic cocktails for those who don’t partake. To make it a night, book a room at the stately COMO at the Treasury in the same building, completing your rendezvous with a complimentary breakfast at Post.
Balthazar
A swanky stalwart tucked away in the historic art deco Lawson buildings, Balthazar serves up impeccable, indulgent Australian cuisine with a European accent. Flirt in low lit luxury surrounded by the state’s largest wine collection. The service is excellent and their wine list is updated regularly with a vast international array ranging from Brunello to Burgundy to the Barossa. Their Coffin Bay oysters are exquisitely matched with any one of the fine Chablis on offer; equally their Wagin duck is a perfect companion for one of their Victorian Pinots.
Lulu La Delizia
Frederico Fellini once said that life is a combination of magic and pasta. No more is this sorcery more apparent than at this Subiaco osteria which has won acclaim by both Marco Pierre White and Gourmet Traveller, with passionate, personable service under the eye of pasta master Joel Valvasori. Like their atmosphere, their food is imbued with an intimate comfort and warmth. Be seduced by their saffron infused spaghettini with clams and white wine…and be seduced by each other!
Fleur at the Royal
Featuring a seductively dark atmosphere, art nouveau lead light windows, chandeliers and velvet drapery, Fleur is like stepping back into Belle Epoque era Paris. The charming and stylish staff wander among giant floral bouquets and antique furnishings, and there are curtained off areas for intimate dining – as well as a bar you can graze at while the friendly mixologists create cocktail art in front of you. On theme with their decor, their fare is traditional Parisian bistro, the signature dish being the crisp, burnished golden roast duck, presented at the table before being sliced.
Bib & Tucker
There is something undeniably romantic about watching the sun set over the sea alongside a sexy soul – even better when accompanied by a meal. For those willing to venture south of the river, this North Fremantle favourite delivers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean while serving up locally sourced seasonal produce fresh as the breeze off the ocean it overlooks. The fare – just like the famous Leighton beach it perches on – is gorgeous yet unpretentious. Being open all day, it also an ideal spot for breakfast and lunch. Leave room for their bombe Alaska…because why just have one kind of “dessert” when you can have both!
Matilda Bay Restaurant
This elegant riverside mainstay sits on the sparking Swan River amid tranquil yachts and towering eucalypts, serving up classic cuisine which is crowd pleasing but not clichéd. The food is not the only star of the show – with a vista of the city, you and your paramour can watch the skyline slowly turn into twinkling lights as dusk becomes darkness. Famous for their dry aged steaks, perfectly matched with any of their Barossa valley Shiraz or perhaps even the local Ferguson Valley based Ironcloud Cabernet Malbec to redden the blood in your veins and stoke a fire in your heart.
Garum
Illuminated by the she wolf of Rome(would you also be interested to know that the Roman slang for sex worker was “lupa” meaning she wolf?) what was once a cathedral hall has been repurposed into an award winning Italian favourite by Guy Grossi. The layout is low lit, rustic and perfect for an Italian interlude with your amore. Meet in their courtyard for an aperol spritz, then go indoors to try one of their many Roman classics, a stand out being the velvety smooth yet piquant cacio e pepe. Conveniently situated at the base of the Westin Hotel, so you can both see out the evening in one of their stylish suites overlooking the city.
Bistro Guillaume
When it comes to food, French truly is the language of love, and there’s no more romantic way to enchant your belle(or beau) than at Perth’s stylish instalment of Guillaume Bramini’s epicurean empire. From the ravishingly rich sauces, to the silky smooth Parisian mash potatoes, to the melt in your mouth lightness of the soufflé…the perfect denouement to this exploration of the senses is of course is of course sipping champagne together in a luxe room at Crown Towers.
Santini Bar and Grill
As part of the QT, Santini possesses their trademark style and swagger, with a bold and striking design set around a wood fired oven. Whether you choose to keep it less formal with a wood fired pizza or you’d like to savour their gleaming, obsidian toned squid ink risotto, the attentive staff are always happy to help with a selection from their extensive wine list. The rooftop bar offers the perfect place for pre or post dinner drinks with a panoramic view of the city, as do their outrageously chic rooms – ideal to end the night in!
Clarence’s Company Store
Perhaps you like your dates a little more on the informal side? A short Uber ride up Beaufort street, this New Orleans jazz club inspired bar is casual but cozy, with a mellow hip hop vibe. Graze on fried chicken and smoked cheddar croquettes while getting to know each other under the moody lighting in this Mount Lawley favourite. Settle in with your companion to sip on their seductive cocktails and listen to live jazz on Sundays.
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