I dreamt of eating at Liberté restaurant in Albany in Western Australia’s Great Southern since it opened. It is renowned as a national darling, and was named best bar in Australia in 2019. I’m always excited when dreams come true!
Housed in the historic London Hotel in Albany, which was built in the early 1900’s, it is a bar and restaurant with Parisian decor, antique furniture and gilded mirrors.
Liberté’s menu is a fusion of French and Vietnamese bold flavours, that deserve all the chef hats. Most famous for its chilli crab and garlic noodles, these are the must have dish, and after trying them I would actually sell up and move to Albany for them.
I also tried their delicious kingfish crudo with ginger, chilli oil and lime served with seaweed crackle, it was fresh and zingy with lots of crunch. On the menu also sizzling squid, prawn and pork dumplings, crispy pork belly with a delicious remoulade of apple, brussel sprouts, mint and sesame, and for dessert ginger brûlée complete with toffee and dragonfruit.
For drinks, the cocktails are extensive and there’s something for everyone from spritzes to smoky drinks. I had a special “West of the Tracks” with gin, makrut lime vermouth, orange juice and samphire bitters.
A beautiful meal with memorable flavours and definitely worth the visit if you are in the region.
Crumbs and Corks 