LOOSE BOX RESTAURANT REVIEW
by Dennis Lillee
Having been fortunate enough to eat in some top restaurants throughout the world, it isn’t often that you experience one in the same league right in your own backyard.
The Loose Box is amazing! It is truly a taste sensation and I simply can’t find words to describe the exquisite flavours and textures presented. I don’t think reading words about this great restaurant suffice. You just have to try it for yourself!
The Loose Box has been known as an “occasion” restaurant but I don’t agree. Why wait for the right occasion to experience such wonderful food. Today or tomorrow is occasion enough!
The ambience of the restaurant is somewhat relaxed and welcoming. Having previously dined there nearly 20 years ago, we found this very comforting. According to our memory it was previously very formal and a little “sedate”. Not so now. Perhaps we have all relaxed somewhat and have come to expect less formality in Perth establishments.
Le fromage de Chevre Frais
A degustation menu is on offer, and what a menu! There is a plethora of choices from each course in addition to specials for each course. Each course was rich in flavour and taste as well as being beautifully presented. We found the portion sizes were perfect for a four course meal and we all left the table very well sated but not feeling bloated or uncomfortable.
Alain Fabre`gues and his team of eight chefs create a degustation menu to die for. All fresh West Australian produce is used including vegetables and herbs grown in their own gardens right outside the restaurant window. Given the requirement of fresh produce the menu is naturally seasonal but with the abundance of choice this fact is not obvious.
Duck Confit
The knowledgeable staff are very friendly and natural without being obtrusive. We found that they answer any queries with assured professionalism and are very welcoming.
I dined with my wife and a couple of friends and we each chose different dishes. We all were ‘wowed’ by our food and completely satisfied by the end of the meal. The Chef’s complimentary tasting dishes in between courses were constantly surprising and showcased the delights of the ‘home grown’ produce also adding an extra dimension to our dining! Pre-dinner, Alain kindly sent out a delicious gazpacho soup which had great texture as well as taste. Between appetizers and entrée we indulged in escargot wrapped in the finest of pastry and whilst some of our group baulked at eating snails, those who tried were pleasantly surprised. As our waitress suggested, if you haven’t eaten escargot before, then this is the place to try them! I wholeheartedly agree. Our next palate teaser between entrée and main was a chocolate mint sorbet. What a taste sensation and a great palate cleanser before the main course.
La Tarte au Citron de Denis Ruffel in Paris
A fabulous old house set amongst the majestic Mundaring gum trees in the Perth Hills is the perfect setting for this sensory delight. A trip to Mundaring may have once been considered as a monumental outing, but with today’s freeways and better roads, it is only 35-40 minutes from the CBD and a breeze. We found the trip a great way to relax and unwind from frenetic city life leaving business responsibilities behind, and with a skipper appointed for the evening, it made for a relaxing journey.
Le Nougat Glaze
We can’t wait to return between June to August for the truffle season to sample the delights created by Alain and his talented team.
