I've been going to WA since I was 22. I still remember my first trip, when I visited Margaret River, and that natural rugged beauty and those beaches have always stuck with me. To cruise around and see that beautiful coastline is pretty special. I’ve been saying for years it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. I’ve been back plenty of times since, whether it was for Margaret River Gourmet Escape or the Ord Valley Muster, and every time I’m blown away. And I really love Perth, I think it's a great it's such a great city to visit. Finding a place in Australia, a city no less, where you can sit around in the afternoon, have a cocktail and watch the sun set over the water is pretty special. You just don't get that in Sydney.
Of course the biggest connection I’ve had to WA over the years is through the produce. We use plenty of it at Aria, and the thing that stands out is the quality. One of the big ones to come off the coast of WA, of course, is scampi. To me, it’s the Rolls Royce of crustaceans; it has this sweet beautiful flavour that comes through whether it’s sashimi, or lightly grilled. Then the beautiful saucer scallops we get from WA are pretty special, too. And who could forget marron? I filmed Paddock to Plate over in WA, and I remember those electric blue marron that are bright and colourful raw, then turn red as soon as you cook them – I have to say the locals who have them in their dams are pretty lucky.
This latest trip, for me, was about exploring the produce more closely. We pulled Akoya out of the water in Albany, rode around Rottnest Island, held two incredible Aria dinners at Hearth, and ate and drank very well along the way. Here are my highlights.
Matt Moran, Leeuwin Coast Akoya by Sarah Hewer
Cooee
What a magical spot looking back over into Perth. We had such a great dinner there. The thing that sticks in my mind is those beautiful Akoya, which of course we’d tried fresh out of the water in Albany just a few days before. They’ve got these pearlescent shells, and at Cooee they confit them, then serve them with apple jelly and crisp-fried saltbush. Just so much beautiful texture. Then of course there’s the Rose Malee beef, which we loved. A real focus on produce, and a pretty special site.
171-173 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth
Rottnest Bakery
Rottnest Island, I've always said that the quokkas are absolutely adorable. But really the whole experience is so memorable. We went and found a little secluded spot and had a swim in this beautiful crystal water. Snorkelling around there was just unreal, and then jumping back on your bike and going have one of those jam doughnuts at Rottnest Bakery is just incredible. I think probably half the people who go to Rottnest Island must have a jam doughnut – it was fantastic.
Maley St, Rottnest Island
Lontara at Samphire Rottnest
We sat down at Lontara for lunch on Rottnest and had some beautiful grilled WA scallops topped with finger lime, and a plate of betel leaves that you fold around smoked trout, a sweet-savoury chilli paste and fresh herbs. What a way to end a perfect day trip. How lucky are people to be able to enjoy Rottnest Island for a day and come back to the city so easily. I’m not sure they let everyone do this, but on the way over a couple of guys asked me to come up out the front and I had a bit of a drive of the ferry. It’s certainly easy when you can drive the boat yourself! In fact some people even swim there, which I think is just madness.
1 Bedford Ave, Rottnest Island
Island Market
What a great spot, right on the beach there at Trigg, the sand and the waves in view, beautiful fresh cocktails and just the sort of food you want to eat next to the water. Fresh flatbread to graze on, local fish, and of course those beautiful scallops from Abrolhos island. Then if you hang around afterwards you can go for a swim or walk down to Scarborough, grab a gelato and watch the sunset.
264 West Coast Dr, Trigg
Akoya Farm with Leeuwin Coast
Going down to Albany and being able to make it out on the water and boat, and see what the guys are doing down there with the seafood is just amazing. Anything that you can ever just pull straight out of the ocean and put your knife onto it and then eat is pretty bloody special. And then to see how that sort of project brings even more energy and life to a region is always fantastic. I heard I nearly broke the record for eating Akoya out of the water. Of course, back on land Liberté and Bred Co are at the top of my list.
Clancys
I love a good pub, and I’ve got a soft spot for a fish café, so Clancy’s in Fremantle was right up my alley. It’s nothing fancy, but fish and chips just feels like such a quintessential WA experience – maybe it’s the proximity to the ocean. Throw in some live music, a local craft beer or two, and a crunchy beer batter and what more could you want? A sunset? You’ll see it happen soon enough.
51 Cantonment St, Fremantle
Hearth
We jumped into the kitchen with the team at Hearth for a couple of Aria dinners. It was really special to work with the local produce first-hand after seeing so much of it. Of course we used the Akoya, serving it with scampi roe, then we did a bit of a showcase of West Australian produce: Wagin duck samosas with XO and fried shallots, Shark Bay swimmer crab with palm hearts and daikon, raw Arkady lamb with burnt chilli, and incredible Point Samson red emperor with WA black truffle. For dessert we focused on some of the local native produce, and of course it wouldn’t have been a WA dinner without some black marron on the menu. We paired it all with local wines of course, pouring benchmarks like Cullen and Leeuwin Estate alongside exciting newcomers like Si Vintners.
The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Barrack St, Perth
The Ritz Carlton
Hearth is the flagship restaurant at the Ritz Carlton down at the new Elizabeth Quay development, and I have to say it’s one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in in my life. It's just absolutely beautiful, the water’s right there, you’re close to the city and Kings Park and the food there is just great, too.
1 Barrack St, Perth
Il Lido
I’ll never forget sitting right across from Cottesloe Beach and having that incredible Shark Bay crab omelette at Il Lido. It’s almost like a soufflé omelette – what a cool dish. It was just absolutely fantastic. I’ve eaten a lot crab omelettes in my time – Greg Doyle's very famous for one – but that one's right up there, there's no question. I loved it.
88 Marine Pde, Cottesloe
Good Fortune Roast Duck House
I was really excited to explore Northbridge and get a sense of the exciting mix of restaurants and cuisines in the area. I love how Chinatown has its old centre, but then extends out all along William Street, with a range of other venues – I reckon it’s one of the most exciting precincts in Perth. We stopped in at Good Fortune Roast Duck House for the signature Peking duck served with pancakes and condiments, which was beautiful, but I can’t wait to get back and explore all the little hidden spots that make this such a vibrant suburb.
354 William St, Northbridge
Published November 2021.