West-Bound

By Amy Van

An ultra-luxe stay topped with sublime gourmet creations and Western Australian wines await at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth.

Perth is known for its natural beauty, blue skies, pristine beaches and glowing sunsets. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the destination is perfect for visits all year round. It’s of course incredibly accessible from Singapore too.

The city has been elevated the last couple of years with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Perth which takes pride of place on the banks of the Swan River. Notch up your trip with a luxurious stay at The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge which is akin to a beautifully designed residence or private sanctuary.

You will get to enjoy a range of bespoke experiences along with personalised attention from the savvy team throughout your stay. Most importantly, prep your appetite for the host of gourmet experiences that await.

Indulgent Gourmet Experiences

Guests will never go hungry (or thirsty) here thanks to the five daily signature culinary offerings alongside a selection of beverages (beer, wine and spirits are offered from midday).

Well-thought-out menus are crafted by a passionate culinary team led by executive chef Alberto Cuzzit. Wake up to a superb breakfast, freshly prepared from the live cooking stations. This is complemented by a tea station from local Seven Seas Tea which offers a modern take on the Australian Billy Tea. The massive chiller on the side displays a range of yoghurts, juices and fruits to perk up your day.

Lunch is quite a substantial affair with hearty creations featuring Western Australian ingredients like slow-roasted lamb shoulder. Or Asian-inspired options such as prawn rendang and Korean fried chicken.

Hearth’s Flavours

If you’re back in the hotel after sightseeing or shopping, look forward to afternoon tea at the Club Lounge or at Hearth restaurant. Impressive tea-time delicacies include Cambray triple cheese custard tart with carrot ginger and lemon myrtle; strawberry infusion with whipped ganache, rosella and white chocolate and more. Complete your languorous afternoon with chilled bubbly.

For an ultra-satisfying dinner topped with excellent service, make a booking at Hearth. The elegant restaurant focuses on seasonal menus using the freshest local ingredients prepared in the custom hearth.

An element of each dish features smoke and fire cooking techniques. In the buzzing open kitchen, chefs are seen blistering beetroot or capsicum over the coals, hanging duck above the hearth to smoke, and charring native saline greens to create an aromatic dressing.

The meats are particularly noteworthy here. Depending on what’s in season you may get Margaret River wagyu beef sharing plate space with abalone, onion jam and fermented mushrooms, or the dry aged Wagin duck partnered with Pink Lady apples and duck leg sausage. Round off with camembert cheese ice cream with Hearth grilled strawberries or a chocolate panna cotta with burnt milk tuile.

Canapes and Cordials

In the evenings over at the Club Lounge, guests are treated to a range of canapés and creative specialties along with wines. On rotation too is a selection of bespoke WA inspired gin & tonics, infused with native ingredients like rosella and Davidson plum, kaffir lime and lemon myrtle. Sip your drinks at the terrace while admiring Perth’s golden sunset and fluffy pink clouds in the horizon.

For a light supper, if you must, the ‘cordials’ menu presents a selection of sweet treats, cheeses, condiments and crackers. Pair them with West Australian wines or local and international spirits.

If that’s not enough, head up to the Songbird rooftop bar and lounge which serves native botanical inspired cocktails. There are 10 signature cocktails made with a blend of native ingredients that bring to life the playful nature of Australian birds.

A grazing menu of shared plates is available too. Think: Western Australian octopus tempura in Japanese takoyaki, and locally sourced oysters with champagne mignonette, dill and apple snow. For more substantial nosh, opt for the South-West charred smoked brisket sliders, and glazed Western Australian lamb ribs with dukkah.

Memorable Discoveries

For wine lovers, a Western Australian wine tasting can be arranged at request by the Club Lounge team. The sommelier will have a chat with you to learn more about your preferences, and then offer a tasting of about four to eight wines depending on your interest and flavour profile.

To discover the surrounding area (and burn some calories after all the wining and dining), guests can look forward to an unforgettable Blue Boat Shed Discovery Tour. Hop on an e-bike as the hotel’s friendly team takes you on a little adventure to explore the popular Kings Park, the stunning Blue Boat Shed on the banks of Swan River, and beyond.

The journey which takes a couple of hours comes with sunscreen, water, light bites and a whole lot of fun. If you need more recommendations on where to go or what to do around the city, have a chat with the professional concierge team to create your itinerary.

The hotel is situated on Elizabeth Quay a vibrant waterfront precinct lined with restaurants and cafes. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade or pedestrian bridge to soak in views of the river and city skyline. There are also public art installations such as ‘Spanda’ an abstract and minimalist sculpture by Australian born artist and sculptor Christian de Vietri. He created six white nested arches that are the same shape but vary incrementally in their size. The sculpture gives the impression of an ever expanding vibrational pattern.

Another nearby landmark is the iconic Bell Tower which houses a collection of historic bells, including the original bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. This is the only place in Australia where you can watch the ringers in action and see the bells turning over. Visitors can learn about the history of the bells and enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck. The ringing takes places on Thursdays and Sundays from 12pm to 1pm.

Iconic attractions aside, there are heaps of reasons to revisit Perth as it continues to charm with its relaxing vibe and fabulous dining experiences.

Gourmet Traveller