Pearls are the epitome of haute couture and timeless elegance. One of my all-time dressed-to-seduce outfits is the quintessential little black dress, fishnet stockings, killer heels and a strand of milky white pearls thrown around my neck. A splash of red lipstick and you are guaranteed a very pleasurable evening.
Pearls have long been associated with sensuality. Google “pearl necklace” and you would be amazed at the exhaustive list of inventive ways pearls are used to enhance sexual arousal and take play time to a whole new level.
I was looking for a restaurant to go with my sexy hunk and don my pearl-inspired get-up to see if I could strike it lucky. But let’s face it, there aren’t too many glamorous Perth eateries to wear your favourite jewels to.
After spending the last eight years in Canada, I can’t tell you how many times I have shed a tear for the lack of truly elegant, Hollywood chic restaurants in this town. Don’t get me wrong, I love Perth but it has yet to raise the bar to the level of cities like New York, Montreal, Paris and Rome….until now..
Tucked away in alley off Queen Street is a treasure that made me feel like we had discovered the royal crown. Think old world 1920’s glamour with a contemporary twist and you have entered 1907. From hand-made chandeliers, to luxurious chairs and booths, mosaic bathrooms, renowned American photographer Murray Garrett’s beautiful black and white photographs adorning the walls, coupled with a massive Italian stallion to greet you on arrival, 1907 is a truly spectacular restaurant.
Not surprising 1907 enlisted the assistance of leading designer, Gabbi McAullay to travel the world to source artisan tradesmen and suppliers to transform this 100 year old rag trade factory into a truly stunning dining room that rivals any in New York, Milan or Paris.
The menu was equally as timeless. For entreé we shared the roast quail breast and braised leg with corn pureé pancetta & quince sandwich and the duck foie gras gateau with fig vincotto glaze, caramelized hazelnuts and pickled walnuts. The flavour and textures of both dishes equalled their visual chef d’oeuvre. The creaminess of the foie gras against the sweetness of the fig vincotto glaze and the nutty flavour and crunchy texture of the nuts sent me into palate overload and left me begging for more. I am still tasting it in my mouth one week later.
For mains, my dude who reeks of cool ordered the roasted rack of organic lamb, lamb shank ragout caramelized shallots, red mustard mash and bread sauce while I had the rack of rabbit, braised leg, pan fried rabbit and pistachio sausage with sauce Jacqueline and baby vegetables. The lamb was the star of the mains and was cooked to pink perfection. My rabbit was delicious but overpowered in flavour by the rabbit sausage which was
intense but subdued by the carrot pureé in the Jacqueline sauce.
Dessert was a side show to the entrée and main dishes. We had the 1907 Chocolate plate of cold bitter chocolate and cherry fondant with white chocolate ice cream and nougat. It was nothing to write home about after the tough acts it followed.
Food presentation at 1907 is breathtaking, flavours are immortal but portion sizes and the price of dishes really leaves a bitter aftertaste to the overall experience. Service was also mediocre and slow. The ambiance however is timelessly elegant and chic. This is a great place for a really special dinner to get in the mood for love – as long as you don’t mind leaving hungry and with a huge dent in your wallet.
I for one loved the fact that I got the chance to really dress up and wear my favourite pearl necklace. My man loved it too.
Passion Rating:★★★★★
Food:★★★★
Service:★★
Ambiance:★★★★★
Overall:★★★★
Food:★★★★
Service:★★
Ambiance:★★★★★
Overall:★★★★
