Welcome to Star Anise Restaurant

OK - call me old-fashioned but I am SO OVER the crazy prices that some of these places get away with! Went to SA for a friend's birthday last night and it was packed by the time we left so obviously very popular and from reading other members reviews, maybe I am just too hard to please. However, there were 5 of us at the table who are used to fine dining and we weren't as ecstatic as we thought we would be. I had the scallops which were gorgeous - very fresh and the pineapple and nut accompaniment was a great taste sensation. Two others got the marron and were bitterly disapointed - it basically turned up in a curry soup and was not as expected nor a substantial entree.


I had the lamb and found it very boring and slightly tough. The 2 others that had the lamb thought it was OK but was it really worth $40? The birthday girl had the duck and was most impressed. Service was terrific except the waitperson kept splashing water as she poured and even worse, the wine!!

Ambience - it is a gorgeous establishment - tastefully decorated and the staff do make you feel at ease however the very dim lighting was a challenge for three of us. Just a tad brighter would have helped.

So my experience was pleasant but overpriced - I won't be returning or recommending when there are so many more out there that do it out there a whole lot better for somewhat less. I am retiring as a food wanker! Long live good tucker that is affordable with wine prices that aren't ridiculous!

Star Anise, would have to be one of my favourite restaurants at the moment. I have eaten here on a number of occasions over the last couple of years and have always left with that wonderful feeling you only get after eating great food. Spending the drive home and the next day going over each course and trying to savour and re-live those incredible flavours in your mind again.

I would advise anyone going to order the Dego menu, there's too many wonderful dishes to limit yourself to only a starter and a main. The duck is the highlight here, however a case must be made for the Glenloth pigeon (which I don't think is on the entree menu anymore but now appears as a main). Not so much for the pigeon itself, but the delicious slice of foie gras which accompanies it.

A good wine list and the best bloody mary's in Perth.

Service is competent and polite but certainly has plenty of room for improvement. If David can get his front of house staff to the same level as the food he will have a restaurant approaching one of Perth's greats 'Campo di Fiori'.

My boyfriend and I went to Star Anise this Friday night after reading a review in the Financial Review ranking it third best restaurant in Perth behind Jackson's and Balthazar's. We've now eaten at all three and my we both agree (and we are VERY fussy) that Star Anise is the best restaurant we've eaten at so far in Perth. Our meals were outstanding. Couldn't fault one dish from the gorgeous amouse bouche of sweetcorn soup to the delicious passionfruit soufle for dessert. The stand out dish for us (we like to try each others) was the smoked pigeon salad for starter - not so much for the pigeon, although this was delicious, but for the pate with gingerbread it is served with. It was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten! Both our main courses (duck and venison) were cooked to perfection and the passionfruit soufflé is divine.

I don't understand other reviewers' problems with the winelist - it's not as extensive as some places for sure, but there are plenty of good bottles to choose from and an international range. We had an $80 bottle of chianti and it was excellent.

It's fairly pricey for Perth but I don't begrudge paying high prices for food this good. I also found the service to be fine. Our waitress was pleasant and unobtrusive. Couldn't complain at all. Also really liked the way our gin and tonics were served on arrival - they serve the tonic separately in these lovely little jars on a silver tray - very nice touch.

We will definitely be dining here again.

I had been wanting to for ages and my husband took me for my Birthday. On arrival I ordered a blood orange Caprioska which was so yummy I am still thinking about it. I thought the menu was very limited, only about 5 choices for each course. I consider myself to be up there with food knowledge but a lot of items on the menu had me stumped!! I had the Marron for entree and the Duck for main. Both were absolutely beautiful and different to anything I would normally have. My husband had salmon and the beef. I must admit there wasn't much on the dessert menu to tempt me. The Liquid Nitrogen didn't really appeal so we ordered a cheese plate to share which was a great way to end a beautiful meal.

I loved the experience and would love to go back again!!

I have to agree with ASH; don't let one bad experience prevent you from enjoying a fine dining experience.

I was there recently, during what can only be described as a warm summers evening and was gratefully placed next to the fountain in the courtyard.

Despite the heat the food was excellent, the staff attentive and polite and the atmosphere second to none.

Experience it for yourself I say.

The food and setting are fabulous. Really cosy and intimate without having to overhear the table next to you. We were a group of 7 so service was a bit slow - took ages to get our pre dinner cocktails. Food was great though. Only other thing was the price of dego menu had gone up since booking which surprised us all. Otherwise, great place, great food. Just right amount of wine and food. Highly recommended.

Well after months of 'subtle' hinting my husband took me to Star Anise last night for my birthday. My only disappointment is that we hadn't gone sooner - now I know for sure what I suspected I was missing!

Being a chilly June night it was a wonderful atmosphere to walk into - warm colours and textures, perfect lighting. The half star I deducted for ambience was simply because we had a table directly near the reception counter and could see all the goings on - not a big deal though.

We found the service to be just lovely; you couldn't describe the wait staff as 'chatty' but they were certainly attentive without being overbearing and warm and helpful when we did ask for recommendations.

The food was nothing short of exceptional - we had mains of pigeon and lamb - just amazing; both beautifully cooked and presented with layers of flavour. We followed this with a selection of cheese - which was excellent and couldnt resist a shared dessert of passionfruit souffle. This was the perfect end to a perfect meal - expertly cooked (to order), light and refreshing.

Undoubtedly Perth's best restaurant - hopefully I dont have to wait for my next birthday to be taken again...

My husband and I went to Star Anise last night, upon arrival we were greeted by staff although not made to feel overly welcome. For entrée I had the Marron ($29.50) which was delicious in a coconut Thai broth, my husband had the scallops ($26.50) which he also enjoyed. For mains the lamb was a lovely choice (although quite rare) and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the beef - which you would want to for $58! Alas, the lovely food is not matched by the service. The wait staff were not concerned with ensuring their customers have an enjoyable experience. The wine list is very disappointing, there is not a large selection and no outstanding wines were on offer. So, we decided to go for cocktails instead. After my husband accidentally spilt some of his drink on the table (due to the cocktail sitting in another glass container) the waitress just put a napkin over the table and did not even ask him if he would like another drink. Then, when my husband ordered another drink - the waitress patronised him by saying she would put the drink in a 'simple glass' for him. You don't pay these prices to be treated like that. All in all the food at this restaurant is truly lovely with an Asian touch, what a pity about the staff. We won't be back.

I was a little disappointed to see the two negative reviews that have been posted in regard to this delightful restaurant. Busy weekends create all sorts of disasters in this industry...

I agree that the staff could have a little more personality; they were prompt, but a little lifeless. A simple smile with eye contact would be sufficient.

The food, Fantastic. Surroundings are superb.

Dine at this restaurant again if you have had a bad experience, you cannot judge if you have only been there once.

Those that are looking to visit, do so. I doubt you will be disappointed.

My overall experience was superb. I know I will definitely return.

A large group (15) had a wonderful meal at Star Anise.

The actual restaurant was once a house, so the dinning areas comprise of smaller rooms rather then one big area. I love the cosy and plush surrounds of the place. We dinned at a front room with an open view of the cute courtyard.

As we got there at 7pm we had a couple of drinks in the courtyard before retiring to our room. Instantly we noticed the level of service and attention, we knew we were in for a treat.

The menu is a real fusion, its not huge but I kind of like menus like that. For entrée I had the Pork belly scallop lime and chilli ($24), my main was crispy aromatic duck, stir fried choy sum, sweet & sour mandarin & ginger sauce ($36) and for dessert I had the passion-fruit soufflé, passion-fruit mascarpone parfait ($14).

The group was really pleased with all the meals and they certainly looked fantastic. You don’t get much better then this in Perth.

This restaurant is very East meets West, infusing Asian ingredients with French and general Western methods and Produce. The menu is very imaginative; a lot of thought has seemingly been put in to it.

Service was flawless with every little attention to detail and the ambiance is cosy and romantic. Only one issue was the overall cost, (as a three course dinner is not an investment) we did feel the bill was a tad high. Never the less try this place out if you want to impress and have a artistic, romantic and amazing foody experience!

I have heard so many good things about Star Anise, so we saved going there for a special occasion - Valentines Day this year. This review must be taken with a grain of salt, as the weekend after Valentines Day is bound to be busy. However, I was still extremely disappointed with the service we received.

We had booked, but upon arrival were told that people were just finishing up with our table - they were onto coffees and desserts. We were asked to "please stand over there", which meant the tiny bar area, which is furnished with only 4 bar stools (all of which were taken). Rather than stand in the only corridor to the kitchen and restrooms, we shuffled off to the side of the bar where we struggled to communicate to the barman over the coffee machine that we'd like a cocktail menu. Drinks were awkwardly handed over through the gap next to the coffee machine.

We waited over 20 minutes before we were told that we could have a table outside. Now, the weather wasn't too kind that night, but we were told that heaters were available should we need them. Outside, we were led to a table that was not even set and told that our initial drinks were complimentary.

Staff came back a number of times to lay various items on our table - side plates, cutlery, and last of all, serviettes. As soon as we ordered wine, my complimentary drink was whisked away even though it was clearly not finished.

The food itself was very nice, but sizes are SMALL. I think $30 is the most I have paid for an entree anywhere in Perth. We were also not offered salt and pepper and there certainly wasn't any on the table.

It got colder through the night, but we couldn't bring ourselves to ask for the heater to be turned on as another couple were sitting directly under it and didn't look as though they were cold.

A couple we had left behind at the bar were waiting for over 40 minutes after we had left the bar, and another couple were left to sit outside the restaurant and wait until almost 10pm to be seated.

For my money, I think Jacksons is better value, although not as intimate. All in all, a very disappointing experience. Not special at all, more like being processed through to maximise Valentines Day profits.

Everyone agrees the food here is magnificent. However, having read the last review I need to add that I thought the service was spot on. Not pretentious, not over the top and my wife and I did not feel rushed or smothered. I would also have to add that the Freycinet 03 Chardonnay is a lovely, elegant and balanced, not over blown with oak! We really enjoyed the night.

Had dinner at star Anise last night. Still one of the top 2 or 3 restaurants in Perth, and rates with the other top restaurants in Sydney Melbourne. The food was sublime and innovative. I would like to know what restaurants in Perth Geoff thinks have "impact or real imagination". David Coomer has it in spades. "Geoffr' needs a course in restaurant economics if he thinks a 5 course with wine at 135 too expensive. I will agree though, the service requires more polish, but this is symptomatic of front of house staff in Perth.

We have had an exotic and exciting meal each visit to Star Anise. The menus have been innovative - indeed almost magical. I can't remember the clever chef's name - but he can certainly put flavours together with originality and verve.

We've never had cause to complain about the service - which is prompt, friendly and unobstrusive.

What a disappointment! I had heard so much about this restaurant and was really excited to be taken there on my birthday recently. We decided to go for the 5 course tasting menu, which at $135 including 5 half glasses of wine struck us as definitely on the expensive side. The food was well executed but lacked any impact or real imagination, and the flavours were only mildly exciting. The wines matches, while eclectic, featured wines that seemed past their prime - only one really stood out in our minds as being worthy of a restaurant of this standard. The rest of wine list is concise, continues the eclectic lines and reasonably well priced. The surrounds are modern and nicely done, but we were seated next to a huge wall hanging that had some rather extensive spider webs along the side, a bit offputting that something so obvious had been missed by the cleaners for so long. The service was competent but lacked any real engagement or character, and often the wines were served either long before or long after the dish they were supposed to be matched with. With some the wait was so long that we had finished the wine before the food got there, and our glass was not topped up once (we have had this done for us at other degustation restaurants).

All up - not good value, did not live up to its reputation, and I dont think we would go back there again.