Wildflower review: A fine dining experience celebrating WA's flavours

Perched on the rooftop of one of the country’s top luxury hotels, Wildflower has lofty standards to live up to.

As the fine-dining venue of The State Buildings precinct – one of Perth’s best hotels and highly regarded as Perth’s ultimate luxury venue – expectations for Wildflower have always been high.

Add to that the A-team behind the scenes, including property developer Adrian Fini (the genius behind breathing new life into the precinct) who has an OAM and Western Australian of the Year award to his name for his contribution to Perth’s culture; Director of Food & Beverage Robbie McGowan, who comes from the ultimate hospitality pedigree including Matt Moran’s Aria and Peter Gilmore’s Quay in Sydney; wine aficionado and award-winning Emma Farrelly as Group Sommelier; and Head Chef Paul Wilson, who has worked everywhere from Copenhagen to Fiji, and even cooked for Oprah Winfrey.

All that to say – does Wildflower live up to the hype?

Location

Wildflower is located on the rooftop of COMO The Treasury within The State Buildings precinct, which is a collection of three interconnected heritage buildings in the heart of the CBD.

The buildings have a rich history spanning over 140 years, where they served various functions from a Post Office and Police cellblock to WA’s Treasury and office of the Premier and Cabinet.

COMO The Treasury is home to Wildflower Restaurant.

After being vacant for many years, the State Buildings have been meticulously restored and reimagined by Adrian Fini as a vibrant luxury precinct. Today, they house a mix of lavish accommodations, bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants – the fairest of all being Wildflower.

Head on up to the rooftop and dine in style.

Style and character

Wildflower capitalises on its sublime location with its floor-to-ceiling windows that flaunt sprawling views of Perth City and Swan River. As you expect from a fine dining venue, the restaurant sashays between refined elegance and contemporary charm.

The white polished marble floors are offset by deeply-hued velvet chairs, a rich oak arch that frames the chef’s pass, and murals of native trees that blanket the walls – no doubt serving as a nod to the local seasonal produce that informs the menu.

Wildflower is without a doubt the finest of dining, so the clientele is expectedly diverse – from business professionals and couples celebrating special occasions, to food enthusiasts and well-heeled locals who appreciate the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing the best of regional produce.

The dining interior is contemporary in design.

Food

The food at Wildflower is a celebration of Western Australia’s rich heritage and seasonal produce, guided by the Indigenous Noongar calendar of six seasons.

Each season – Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang – brings different local ingredients and flavours, which are reflected in the food served.

Delight in chocolate with river mint, yoghurt and mandarin.

Expect dishes like line-caught snapper with native ginger, lemongrass and curry myrtle; Wagin duck with apricot, jarrah honey and lime; and south-west lamb with native salsa verde, celeriac and bush tomato.

Manjimup marron with pumpkin, curry leaf and nasturtium.

Diners choose from a four, six or eight-course tasting menu, with the option of a champagne and sparkling, wine pairing or a non-alcoholic drinks pairing. The restaurant also offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Whichever dining option you choose, don’t just expect food – expect a culinary journey that includes beautifully plated courses, each telling a story of the land and its bounty.

Drinks

Emma Farrelly is highly regarded in Australia’s wine circles for good reason – her taste and expertise are simply impeccable. The wine list at Wildflower is extraordinary, with all wines on the menu a true statement of the land in which they were grown and are sustainably produced, with integrity and respect.

The champagne and sparkling pairing is, unsurprisingly, predominantly French, while the wine pairing is a real global journey – all the way from Portugal and Japan to Margaret River and the Adelaide Hills. The restaurant also offers classic and seasonal cocktails, beers and local and international spirits.

Sip on an exquisitely crafted cocktail with hand-carved artisanal ice.

As fun as it is to peruse the seemingly endless wine list, we suggest relinquishing your right to decisions and leaving everything up to Emma by way of getting the degustation with wine pairing. The staff will bring each new drop to the table, explain how it pairs perfectly with the next dish, and leave you to enjoy.

Lemon Aspen Spitz pairs well with the Manjimup marron.

Service

The service at Wildflower is without a doubt superb. The waitstaff are attentive without being overbearing, professional without being pompous, and are only too happy to offer their advice – when asked – on food and wine selections. They quite literally personify hospitality, in the finest, most decadent way. You’d be hard-pressed to find another restaurant in Perth delivering this kind of top-tier service.

Access for guests with disabilities

Wildflower has an elevator to ensure accessibility for all guests, and the dining area is spacious enough to allow for extra space if required.

Family-friendly?

Wildflower is fine dining and the price tag reflects that – so if you have little ones in tow, it might be worth organising a babysitter so you don’t have to shell out for small humans who would prefer chips and toast anyway.

Details

Address: Wildflower, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth

Cost: Mains hover around $48, entrées $33, sides $14 and desserts $24. Cocktails are $20–$28, and wines by the glass range from $15 all the way up to $50.

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