Its my birthday and to celebrate, the Uber Blonde had booked us a dream beachfront apartment in Yallingup, I raised the stakes and booked lunch at Wills Domain - fulfilling a long held desire to lunch at this two hatter.
After a disastrous dinner at Lamonts the previous evening - how anyone can ruin tempura whiting I will never know - I needed to be impressed with what I know this region has to offer.
Getting around in this part of the state if you don't want to drive is a challenge but if you think ahead you will nail it. The taxi, such as it was, was actually early and we stood with the driver and watched the surf pound in before heading off. Calming.
Wills Domain is actually quite a small venue, an open dining room, which on our visit was ruined by ear-piercingly, loud, shouted conversations, thankfully we were moved to the whisper quiet rear dining room and normal chatting resumed.
We had chosen the three course menu which has four entree and four main course choices, the deserts have their own menu. All seasonal and inventive.
The staff are all over the offerings and its a fab experience.
After much deliberation, and ingredient explanations, we ordered the miso cured scallop, green apple crème fraiche, roasted chicken vinaigrette and the quail, pumpkin terrine, roasted seaweed.
The wine choices are all local and remarkably bland but this is not unusual in this region. Luckily the house made pinot noir bubbles was delicious so we laid a bottle in.
The entree's arrived smoothly and looked brilliant, with the roasted chicken vinaigrette being poured over the scallops at the table. Nice.
The quail hind was perfectly seared and medium rare but the real winner was the pumpkin terrine which was more Pommes Anna style, with the beautiful tang of the miso raising the sweetness.
The scallop flesh had been partially cooked and finished off at the table with the hot vinaigrette - beef pho style. The flavours were sublime with the sea and the poultry tones both sitting comfortably on the palate.
The view over the lush, rolling vineyards is almost as good as the food, and with the doors open in summer, dining outside would be luxurious.
We were woken by our smiling, gorgeous waitress who was upon us with the mains. I had ordered the Margaret River Wagyu rump and the Blonde, the salt baked celeriac.
Now I rarely eat steak, for many reasons - but thats a rant for later - but if I did in the future I would hunt this meat down. Easily one of the most delicious, perfectly cooked pieces I have eaten. Simply served with king oyster mushrooms and resting on a green onion sauce, this was a masterclass in cooking.
The salt baked celeriac was lost on us both, we weren't sure what to taste or what it should taste like. As beautifully presented as it was, with truffles and cured egg, we had no idea.
So we both hoovered up the remaining stunning Wagyu. Overall a superb birthday experience.
Will's is a place you should definitely include on your next southern retreat. Superb dining in luxe surrounds.
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