Contact Information
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Spirit Of The West Carriage Office East Perth Rail Terminal East Perth 6004 |
| (08) 9328 8460 |
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| View Map |
| Modern Australian |
| Fine Dining |
| Licensed |
| Disabled Access |
Photos
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Welcome to Spirit Of The West
Unfortunately increasing costs associated with operating this tourism restaurant train have resulted in the business no longer being viable. We would like to thank all our patrons and guests who have enjoyed this unique dining experience over the years. It is with great sadness that we have had to close the business.
Spirit of the West is Perth's only Gold Plate winning fine dining restaurant train. Each guest enjoys a 5 course gourmet meal including Premium bottled wine whilst on board. Some of the carriages date back to the early 1920's and have been fully restored to their former glory by volunteers of the ARHS. It’s a unique experience unlike another in Western Australia.
| Closed |
(6 reviews)
#6
MichaelBraun
May 12, 2008
May 12, 2008
Spirit of the West
by Michael Braun
If you are looking for something different to do on a weekend, or want to show some interstate or overseas visitors our beautiful country side, then the Spirit of the West is for you! A couple of Sunday’s ago I had the privilege of sampling not only the menu, but the entire experience of a train ride throughhistoric Guildford, Midland, Swan Valley and the breathtaking Avon Valley country side.
The carriages we rode on date back to 1915 and upon boarding the locomotive you feel as though you are set back in time. With a welcome fit for a King and Queen it must be said that the enthusiastic staff set the scene for a wonderful afternoon.
After being shown to our table, we started with an appetizer consisting of assorted breads and dips with some sushi. This was topped off with a welcoming glass of Angoves Chalk Hill Blue Sparkling.
My wife and I took along my Dad Bruce, who was over from Echuca (my home town) for the weekend. We thought it would be a good opportunity to get an Eastern Stater’s opinion on what the whole experience was like!
Once all the guests were settled in, the staff came around to take our orders. Each course (Entrée, Main and Dessert) has a choice of three, four and four dishes respectively. For entrée Dad went for the Smoked Salmon and Caper Tian, Bree had the Warm Tartlet of Red Onion, Feta and Roasted Pumkin and I had the Ham Hock, Potato and Parsley Terrine. All entrées were wonderfully presented and equally as tasty.
Our main courses were soon on their way and I decided to have the Fish of the Day, which really was delicious. It was served on a potato rosti with a lemon butter sauce. I really enjoyed this (it was a great size as you can see by the picture!) My Dad chose the sirloin steak which came served with prawns which had be sautéed in a light garlic cream sauce and crushed roasted gourmet potatoes. This looked really impressive, but Dad thought it was a little over cooked. Other than that he said the flavours were delicious. Bree went for the chicken for a change and was really glad she made that choice! The chicken breast was stuffed with shitake mushroom and spinach mousse on a sweet potato gratin served with Champagne Beurre Blanc. I would have to say that this looked like the dish of the day – the chicken was moist and the sweet potato gratin complimented the other flavours.
By this stage we had reached the half way point and were in West Toodyay. This is where the locomotive rests for approximately 20 minutes (enough time for mains to be cleared and another glass of wine or beer to be consumed!) while it performs its shunting operation and detatches from one end and moves to other end so that we can begin our journey back home.
The wines on offer included in the package were Jane Brook and Angoves. Both are lovely wines, though if you prefer a wider selection there is an extended wine list for an extra charge. The beer selection included Boags St George, Carlton Mid Strength, Crown Larger and James Boags Light which caters for all beer drinkers. Our only extra cost for the afternoon was $15 for a cocktail for Dad – a Long Island Ice Tea – of which he said they didn’t hold back on the spirits in that!
For dessert Bree and I went for the Mousse of White Chocolate while Dad tried the Green Tea Apple and Brulee Tart. Both were really nice and just the right size before we dug into the cheese platter which came next. The cheese platter contained some Brie Cheese, Blue Vein and Cheddar with some dried fruit and crackers. It was the perfect way to end the journey accompanied by some more wine and beer! Lucky for Dad and I Bree and I are expecting our first baby so we had a skipper for the day!
Overall we had a wonderful afternoon and I highly recommend giving the Spirit of the West a try for a totally different dining experience.
Until next time,
Michael Braun
#5
Jessy86
August 10, 2007
August 10, 2007
Food
Service
Ambience
Overall:
This was a fantastic dining experience! My boyfriend and I opted to pay a little extra to get the private booth and it was really worthwhile. It was our 1 yr anniversary and was very romantic and fun. Despite being cooked on a train it was quite possible the best restaurant meal I've ever had. The everflowing drinks were great too!
The train is comfortable and really beautiful, the waitstaff were friendly and cheerful. We still talk about our Spirit of the West experience and would love to go again. Definitely recommend it!
#4
PVL
July 19, 2007
July 19, 2007
Food
Service
Ambience
Overall:
The partner and I dined on the Spirit of the West for Sunday lunch and arrived at East Perth station on beautiful winter’s day where we had second thoughts about being inside and wondered whether lunch outside at a winery would have been a better bet. Before second thoughts could take much more of a hold we were promptly boarded and shown to our table by our friendly and efficient waiter, where sparkling wine, water and bread were already waiting.
The train left at 12.30 and drinks were promptly offered and orders taken for lunch. The wait staff’s work is made easier by the set menu however they were all happy and enthusiastic about their work during our trip and kept everyone well supplied with water and drinks for the duration. A starters plate consisted of mixed dips and antipasto and was well presented good quality produce, though there was nothing to challenge or shock anyone.
Entrees were a choice of the olive and basil tart or a salmon mousse, we ordered one each and swapped part way through with the tart being very good and enjoyed by both of us. The salmon mousse was fine but appealed less, most likely more not to our taste than any fundamental problem with the dish itself.
Mains of barramundi and rare steak were ordered and these were presented a while we toured the Avon Valley which looked great in the winter sunshine after the recent rain. Due to the partners vege-aquarianism these weren’t swapped but they were not the highlight of the dining experience. The steak was overcooked to medium/well done and was poor quality to begin with; tough, fatty and gristly so was hard going. The barramundi was better but small sections were slightly undercooked, at least the quality of the produce was much better than the steak. The supporting vegetable acts were fine, no problems or standouts there.
Desserts of rhubarb white chocolate cake and crème brulee were delivered as we began to return to Perth. The brulee was good to very good, rich and creamy without being over the top. The cake was ok to good, a little bland and sounding far more exciting on the menu than what it was in real life. A cheese plate rounded out the experience and also ensured that we didn’t leave the train hungry; the selection was good and the cheeses went well with a bottle of dessert wine we ordered. Coffees follow though it is standard brewed not espresso so not great if you are fussy about coffee.
All up the Spirit is as much about the trip, maybe more, as it is about the food. The atmosphere is mostly good as the carriages are superbly restored and the trip is an event in itself. However the canned music is pitched to certain market not matching ours and can be intrusive, though not a problem if you’re a fan derivative elevator style tunes. The service is excellent, the food less so. We would go again, probably with out of town visitors and only when next year’s Entertainment book discount is available as once a year would be enough.
#3
Squizzy
April 22, 2007
April 22, 2007
Food
Service
Ambience
Overall:
I was invited to celebrate my friends 30th birthday on Saturday night aboard the Spirit of the west.
The cost was $130.00 per person, this included a 5 course meal and beer wine and soft drinks.
We boarded the train at 7.30pm at the east Perth train station, everyone was excited and dressed up to the nines, upon seating we were presented with our appetizer plate consisting of freshly baked breads and three dips which were all very nice. also a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to start.
The journey began and drink orders were promptly taken and staff were exceptionally attentive and available at all times.
As we journied along it became a apparent that we could not see anything out of our windows, the management came along and explained that the outside lights on our carriage were not working so unfortunately we were to not have any view all evening.
We were then presented with a choice of three entrees. I chose the warm duck confit tart. This dish was very well presented, the duck was tender and full of flavor but unfortunately the dish was let down by what appeared to be a cheap store brought tart case, my friends were happy with their smoke salmon and trout terrine. By nine pm our main courses arrived, i chose the roast rack of lamb. I was very disappointed with this dish the lamb was overcooked the Mediterranean vegetables consisted of a few pieces of capsicum, eggplant, onion and some olives and also one potato on the side.
After mains a lot of us were still feeling hungry and were looking forward to dessert which was a choice between sticky date pudding or chocolate truffle torte.
I chose the chocolate and i did enjoy this desert.
After journeying along for 3 hours i must say we were all feeling a bit claustrophobic with no view in the carriage.
We finished off the meal with a cheese platter which consisted of three different cheeses, some celery and carrot sticks and foul tasting sliced apple.
I can see why people would want to experience this journey and would recommend that you take it during the day when you are guaranteed a view. I also can understand the limitations placed upon the kitchen but the food is promoted as five star dining and in no way did the meals meet this expectation.
If you are interested in consuming large quantities of alcohol you will get your money's worth on this trip but if you are hoping for a gourmet dining experience don't bother.
Definitely one to take your grandma on.
PS - Have sent photos in to Joel
#2
AndreaR4
September 6, 2006
September 6, 2006
Food
Service
Ambience
Overall:
We went here for Father's Day with the family and had a fun, relaxing afternoon. A five-course meal with unlimited beer and wine and a train ride - who wouldn't have a good time! The food was outstanding (my one complaint was that my steak was way overcooked - though I think I was the only one in our group with this problem as my partner and his father both like their steaks well-done). Our glasses were never empty. The drinks included in the price are soft drinks, tea, coffee and standard wines and beers (and one glass of sparkling white wine at the start) but you can purchase spirits from a separate menu. This is a fantastic plan for a day trip or special occasion. The staff onboard is friendly and attentive and we found our meals to be great value for money.
#1
johnmac59
April 25, 2006
April 25, 2006
Food
Service
Ambience
Overall:
Quite simply a joy to experience. We have now been Spirited away on two occasions and would heartily recommend it to anyone. Ideal for visiting relatives from interstate or overseas. The staff are a delight and the food is excellent, considering the restrictions of a train galley. 
Celebrity Reviews
Awards:
| Gold Plate Tourist Restaurant City 04 |
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| Gold Plate Tourist Restaurant City 07 |