The Trustee Bar and Bistro, Perth

Beyond heightening Perth’s skyline, the new BHP Tower has done the city an even greater service – it’s breathed new life into the beautiful yet neglected buildings neighbouring the tower’s base. One such transformation is the historical WA Trustees Building on St Georges Terrace – now the new Trustee Bar and Bistro, opening this week.

At the helm of the project are siblings Scott and Angie Taylor. The success of their Mount Lawley restaurant Beaufort Street Merchants has inspired the duo to dream bigger. They’ve restored the building by polishing up the 6 metre art deco ceilings and herringbone parquetry, and adding a huge brass and glass wine vault. There’s also an impressive 17^th century ship figurehead, called Genie, perched above the bar.

Manning the kitchen is celebrity chef Ian Curley, best known from his Melbourne restaurant The European and appearances on Masterchef and Conviction Kitchen. Curley’s trademark is approachable and unpretentious peasant food. Dishes include coq au vin with garlic mash, pork cotoletta with braised witlof and a delectable truffled duck liver and smoked eel parfait with poached pears. The menu also contains a selection of local Angus beef, selected according to the ‘nose-to-tail’ ethos, encouraging a more comprehensive use of cow, including the cheek, flank, rump and fillet.

An avid oenophile, Scott has lovingly compiled a wine list of over 500 food-oriented wines from around the world, with a staggering 50 of them available by the glass (150ml pour) or “intro” (90ml pour).

We’re most excited about the fact the Trustee will soon be serving late-night supper – where else in Perth could you find a nose-to-tail pie at 11:30pm?

(Also published in AgendaCity)