Once upon a time there was an entertainment venue where jeans with sneakers was considered an acceptable dress code and Bundy Rum was the drink of choice – this place, Burswood, is no more.
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Crown Perth has arrived with a level of sophistication to match the international flavours of the fine dining restaurants and cocktail bars.
This weekend, following on from Nobu’s star studded opening earlier this year, two new venues were launched - Bistro Guillaume (pronounced “Gee-aarm”) on Saturday night and the Las Vegas style dude food pub The Merrywell.
Chef and restaurateur Guillaume Brahimi was in town to oversee the opening of his new eatery, an event which was full of glitz and glitter that started at the door where French poodles Frankie and Cooper welcomed guests and ended at Jennifer Porter’s ankles thanks to her sparkling Miu Miu booties.
Chef Brahimi said he decided to open a sister venue to his Melbourne and Sydney restaurants after being coerced by his wife to look west.
"I’ve always loved Sydney but my wife went to uni here and has always said I should go to Perth," he told the crowd which was peppered with the odd politician, pretty people and past and present TV stars.
"Thank you for being so nice and welcoming, I really can’t get over how excited you are that we are here."
Following a night of jazz and French aperitifs the crowd were ushered downstairs to the refurbished pool deck for a nightcap and fireworks show.
"I never used to consider Burswood as a place where I wouldn’t ever go for a night out, that’s now changed it’s like Dubai in here!" one guest said at the end of the night while enjoying the giant macaroon party favour.
SPOTTED: Former Attorney General Christian Porter and wife Jennifer, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop, journalist Liam Bartlett, former test cricketer Adam Gilchrist, original Young Talent Time host Johnny Young, former Wheel of Fortune host John Burgess, The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, blogger Amy Zempilas, Zhivago designer Lara Kovacevich and singer Johnny Ruffo popped in.
SIPPED: Perrier-Jouët, Lillet on ice, watermelon and espresso martinis with a hint of caramel.
SNACKED ON: Blue crab finger sandwiches, pan-seared scallops and waygu beef skewers worked the room all night while salted caramels and dark chocolate truffles were on everyone’s lips by 9pm.
SO GOOD: One of the most opulent events of the year – after canapés and Champagne all night the VIP guests were treated to a nightcap of espresso martinis and fireworks on the new Liquid pool deck.
SO NOT: With so many drinks on offer, the line for the ladies was a little long.
