At El Questro Homestead, food and wine are as much an attraction as the wild country that envelopes the property. Every meal is brimming with ingredients of superb pedigree and quality, leaving guests to forget that 3,500 kilometers of rock and desert lies between the Kimberley and Perth. The neighboring Ord River Valley nurtures growers who provide a vast array of tropical and organic produce, supplemented by the abundant riches of Western Australia’s coastlines and paddocks.
Chef Alan Groom’s spirit of generosity is always evident, as in his hand crafted fare and bountiful luxe flourishes, married together in simple preparations that allow the flavours to shine.
Breakfast
The Homestead comes alive early each morning as staff and guests alike take pleasure in this most exceptional hour of the day. The intense Kimberley sun bathes the nearby ranges in a soft pink glow, appearing to light them up from within. A myriad of birds take delight in the cool morning dew, either to put a gleam on their feathers or find their own breakfast feast.
Guests enjoy their breakfast in true country style on the wide, sweeping verandah with views of the range as it casts perfect reflections in river below. Arrive early before going on a guided walk or nature tour; come later after your bird watching or horse riding adventure. Or perhaps breakfast on the lookout at sunrise is your morning activity. Whatever the time, you can expect beautifully prepared fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Local Ord Valley treasures include giant red paw paw, ripe fragrant melons and hand squeezed pink grapefruit juice. Breads are hand made by our chef and feature a different sour dough variety each day. An old fashioned butcher crafts double smoked spec bacon, herb sausages and even black pudding to exacting standards. From farther a field, Scottish Kippers and Canadian maple syrup represent Chef’s dual roots, providing familiar comfort to visiting travelers.
The beginning of your day is as inspired as your imagination.
Lunch
Lunch at the Homestead is as much a social event as the time for sating appetites after an active morning. A welcoming long table transforms guests into knowledgeable tour guides as they compare details of their morning excursions and offer advice to new comers freshly arrived from the morning flight. The outdoor setting is kept cool under a shady awning and offers opportunity to spot wallabies and goannas claiming their patch of lush Homestead lawn.
Savour two cool courses accompanied by artisan bread and olive oil and a perfect glass of Western Australian white wine. Perennial favourites include Mangrove Jack or free range chicken on a Nicoise salad that showcases the fine local produce. Or chef’s sophisticated version of the Ploughman’s lunch. Refreshing sorbets and ice cream feature in desserts that few can resist.
Picnics are also a much loved indulgence. Guests take delight in the basket of surprise treats presented. One may find country pate with rosella flower chutney or Exmouth prawns and green mango dressing.
Revitalise with cuisine that embraces the spirit of endless summer.
Stars of the Margaret River region feature prominently on the wine menu, beside up and coming Western Australian ingénues and iconic labels from Australia’s Eastern states.
This ever changing culinary adventure is outdone only by the dramatic, ever changing views from the outdoor dining tables. 1,000,000 acres is your restaurant.
Dinner
The evening begins at the convivial bar as guests are drawn in to sample hors deouvres and regale each other with tales of the day’s adventures. Over a glass of Champagne or a signature cocktail, the trophy Barramundi is suddenly 1 ½ metres and the birds spotted number more than 40!
The Homestead has long been renowned for providing a choice of dramatic dining locations. While the dinner party beneath the stars comes alive, tables set on the cliff side may beckon romantic couples to share a moment. That is if they aren’t distracted by the crocodiles floating in the gorge below.
The three course menu changes nightly, offering a perfectly balanced selection that won’t be duplicated throughout your stay. Exceptional Western Australian lamb and beef or wild Cambridge Gulf Barramundi follow glazed quail or local fresh water scampi. Desserts reveal our chef’s talent for precise techniques that deliver vibrant flavours.
A surprising array of carefully chosen cheese may be served by the open fireplace for all to share. Or perhaps the evening will conclude on your private verandah watching the night sky mirrored in the river beneath your suite.
Culinary artistry always in harmony with breathtaking landscapes.