Towering 18 storeys above the city skyline, Folly is an oasis in Adelaide Terrace’s hospitality desert.
Until Folly recently opened, the Quest Hotel did not have a food and beverage offering. Venue general manager Michael Ribaudo is tasked with making sure every visitor to Folly feels like a welcome guest, regardless of whether patrons are staying there or not. “There’s not a lot venue-wise down this end of town, so we want to make the experience worthwhile for people who come to see us, as well as hotel guests.”
With an intimate capacity of 75 guests, the venue can give customers its full attention. “We’ve only been open six weeks and we already have regulars. We know their favourite drinks, and how they like to drink them,” Ribaudo tells Broadsheet. “Having repeat customers so soon is a real vote of confidence.”
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SHOP NOWFolly’s menu keeps things tight; local seafood takes centre stage with Fremantle octopus, kingfish sashimi and a slick crumbed snapper sandwich. Vegetarian offerings include crispy Korean fried cauliflower with gochujang, and lip-tingling Sichuan vegetable and tofu dumplings. While the menu takes inspiration across a range of cuisines, the unifying theme is fresh, punchy flavours that sing over simple, local produce.
The drinks menu features nine signature cocktails, with twists on familiar favourites including the Paloma, Bramble and Old Fashioned. “We would rather keep the menu focused and do it really well than have an overwhelming menu that we can’t give 100 per cent to,” says Ribaudo. Folly makes all its syrups and garnishes in-house to capitalise on seasonal ingredients. Non-alcoholic options include mocktails, Heaps Normal beer and London Essence sodas.
What does Ribaudo recommend from Folly’s menu? The Shark Bay scallops with yellow chilli and lime, and the cucumber gin fizz are perfectly paired for a refreshing pre-dinner snack – best enjoyed while watching the sunset on Folly’s balcony.
The venue is fast gathering a reputation as Perth’s most photographable. Cream tiles, light-coloured wood, wicker lampshades, with deep green accents and plenty of plants glow during the golden hour light that pours through the venue’s city facing windows.
Folly
Level 18 Quest East Perth, 176 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
(08) 6182 1505
Hours:
Wed & Thurs 4pm–10pm
Fri & Sat 4pm–midnight
Sun 4pm–10pm
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