Star Anise

Posted by: Eagerdiner | 15 October 2010, 12.50am

Having recently moved to Perth, I checked out this restaurant on the basis of the recommendation in the good food guide.
I was incredibly disappointed. I went here on a business dinner so was also embarrassed.
I am not a stranger to this type of dining, but the food was too complicated, too small, and in the end not tasty.
I was so disappointed I didn't even stay for the much talked about desserts, but safe to say I will not be returning.

Food:			Visit: Wed 29 September 2010 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Alcibiades | 13 July 2009, 9.06pm

I am firmly of the opinion that when I cook for people, you can make mistakes elsewhere but if the wine and dessert is a knock out then most ills are quickly forgotten.

I have been to Star Anise twice in the last 12 months and the service and the ambience is great.

The wine list is fabulous, and has some fantastic wines by the glass (we had a glass of Chablis,and a glass of Rioja blanco the first time and I cannot find adjectives to describe how good the were).

However both times I have felt a little non plussed after entree and main. Maybe its the hype, maybe my tastebuds aren't quite up to scratch to appreciate it but I just don't feel I'm getting it and for $80 or so for the two I really want to get it. It's not that it is bad, it is good food, but I was expecting more.

Dessert though is another thing completely, the first time I had the wafers with the chocolate mousse and that was mindblowingly good, but I have to say the caramelised persimmon tart that I had last time trumped it, and is one of the best things that I have eaten anywhere.

I concur with the statement before and next time I might book for just dessert, I am salivating at the mere thought.

Food:			Visit: Wed 15 April 2009 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Wolfy_7 | 7 May 2008, 3.17pm

A really fine restaurant, the first time we went there we were blown away by the complete package in fine dining, had a great experience with the cusine and service. We've dined here in the month of October regularly (anniv) and can comment on the seasonal dishes at this time of year.

The last time we went the service was ok, we happened to get a new waitress unfamiliar with the wine being served which was disappointing with our dego being served, she kept needing to run back to her manager for explanations until the manager herself ended up taking over (top work).

The food was sensational. The Asian fusion in some of the dishes are brilliant. My favourite dish in the dego would be the duck confit. It must be mandatory that the signature dessert of passionfruit souffle is ordered as it is perfect!

I would also recommend just booking for dessert alone as we have done before.

Food:			Visit: Sat 20 October 2007 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Lovesfood | 2 January 2008, 11.43am

Can only be placed alongside The Loose Box. Everything we experienced that night was exquisite and tasty. We took the premium wine with our meals which was a mistake as I imbibed a little too much but then it was an occasion. Highly Recomended.

Food:			Visit: Sat 17 November 2007
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: suzfisher | 13 July 2007, 2.26pm

I was thoroughly impressed by my dining experience at Star Anise. After attending a cooking class by David Coomer early this year, I was confident of his skills in the kitchen and was not disappointed. It is not a cheap meal but certainly worth it as every morsel was consumed.

I would definitely recommend ordering from the signature dishes, tasting the delights of the ma hor (scallops) as well as the current duck dish comprising of breast and drumstick. The dessert menu was imaginative and delicious, sharing the passion fruit souffle with parfait as well as the dulce de leche wafers with Valrhona chocolate mousse. The wine list is extravagant with a good balance of both Australian and European, with a good range of price and quality. The service was impeccable matched with beautiful decoration and ambience.

Food:			Visit: Thu 12 July 2007 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Tony T | 30 May 2007, 11.48am

Great menu, tough to decide what to have. Presentation of meals was very good. I had the venison to start, duck for main and the banana thickshake treat for dessert. All were superb - good servings for a la carte. I went with business people and I will return again for special occasions. I've eaten at a lot of restaurants in Perth and this is right up there with the best.

Food:			Visit: Wed 30 May 2007 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Moog | 19 April 2007, 2.10pm

This restaurant strikes as being petite and modest, but the food is tastey beyond the serving size (which is a tad on the small size). Requested to cater for my being a vegetarian the chef was easily up to the challenge delivering many a delicious morsel over the evening. The experience was only mildy tainted by needing to top up on a vege burger on the way home.

Food:			Visit: Sat 16 September 2006 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere: