Billy Kwong

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  9      Value  7     

Went here last night with friends and I thought most of the dishes were really good! We got the banquet menu at $95 a head and it would up being, with approx 12 courses, way too much food! We had the steamed prawn dumpling which were fantastic and the sashimi plate with king fish and trout came out to a lot of love for the trout but the King Fish was, well, pretty awful!

No problem though as most of the rest were good, my favorites was the Beetroot and Carrot salad with Organic eggs and, although I wasn't all that fussed everyone else simply loved the seared calamari.

The only problems I thought were the size of the restaurant, too small, the uncomfortable stools and the one toilet for the use of everyone dining there, you don't want to go to a restaurant only to find yourself lining up in a tiny and hot room waiting to 'go'.

I liked it here although I won't go again, although the food was good I didn't think it was good enough to pay that much a second time!

Feb 08, 2009 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  2     

I had a very disappointing experience at Billy Kwong's. With the hype of Kylie's TV series and the appearance that she is actually cooking somewhat authentic cuisine on the TV it does not translate to the experience in her restaurant. This is my opinion so obviously a reader can interpret this review as either a rant or close to truthful account of my experience.

Whilst the food was tasty you can't help but feel this restaurant is nothing more than a rip-off when you consider you can get absolute "authentic" chinese cuisine down the road in Chinatown for a fraction of the price. This restaurant serves cuisines clearly aimed at westerners who have no idea of what real Chinese food is. Having been an expat in Hong Kong for many years you would never ever be served what is offered in this restaurant in Hong Kong, China or Singapore.

The restaurant has a bustling feel to it but this is due more to the cramped space, tiny tables and ridiculously oversized serving dishes. The service is pleasant but you can't help but feel they are reciting Kylie's cookbook and TV series when describing the dishes on offer.

The biodynamic/eco-friendly labelling is very dubious. How can one seriously believe the fish was line caught as indicated in the menu? A simple examination of the steamed fish showed no evidence of a hook having deformed the mouth of the fish.

The duck was dry and salty (I have never come across deep fried duck and orange in Hong Kong before). The steamed fish was very bland and overcooked. The only dish which was tasty and as close to authentic Chinese was the simple stir fried vegetable with oyster sauce.

One particular negative aspect of this restaurant is the open kitchen where I did not see one Chinese person cooking so the restaurant lacked authenticity and an instinctive knowledge of Chinese cuisine. I would not recommend this restaurant for the quality of food or the extortionate price. If you want a real Peking duck and steamed fish go to a real Chinese restaurant. Don't be a victim of being gullible! How this restaurant got any kind of kudos from the SMH Good Food Guide is beyond me!

Feb 01, 2009 

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

I didn't really know what to expect from Billy Kwongs having read very mixed reviews. Four of us decided on the tasting menu whiich was tailored to our meet our dietary requirements (I'm pregnant). The waitress took our drinks order within 5 minutes of sitting down which is a good sign and we only waited about 10 minutes until the first dish came out of seared calamarie salad (with corriander and lemon sour dressing) Delicious!

So simple but very flavourful. We had another 4 entrees, all excellent and beer and organic lemonade was flowing nicely. Then onto the mains, could we possible fit them all in, we were getting quite full after the entrees. But then came the signature dish of Crispy duck with organic plum sauce, OMG! It was (in the words of Kylie herself Soooooo Good! Definite stand out dish of the evening. We also had some Gropper fish with greens in sesame oil, pork belly with sour cherries and some fresh organic friut to finish.

We thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely go back. One tip it would give them though, make the restaurant bigger, it's too popular to be that small!

Feb 01, 2009 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Good, but not great food, and very expensive for a cafe style format - $20+ entrees and main courses in the mid 40s? I think the premium is for the celebrity factor, which is understandable to a point.

Jan 25, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Steamed prawn won tons were a delight followed by stir fried organic mushrooms and steamed rice. The only problem was fitting it all in.

Jan 20, 2009 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  1     

Remember you are paying for Kylie Kwong’s PR agent so that she gets a lot of publicity and can charge more. Paying in excess of $40 for a main course in essentially a Chinese restaurant with a cafe chaotic atmosphere is not my idea of fun. And the punters queue for this - wake up! I like to encourage creativity but not at these silly prices.

I am amazed at the reviews given by SMH Good Food Guide - Oh well Kylie's PR agent is doing the job well.

Jan 12, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

This was a special big splurge. After watching Kylie's wonderful shows and her books, I was eager to go to her restaurant, I was not disappointed. The food was extraordinary. The restaurant is spare and lean, in a very clean, aesthetic Asian style. The seats are mostly wooden saddle stools (a few banquettes). The lighting and floral features are well done.

Dishes are mostly small, and relatively pricey. I would highly recommend the nightly tasting menu which was about A$100. But what a feast it was. I was presented with almost everything on the menu that night, in smaller sizes, and it was perfect. I felt I got a taste of all the special dishes Kylie has developed.

Service was efficient, and the servers could explain each and every dish. It was a well choreographed affair, indeed. Although expensive, the value was good for what was delivered (and how it was delivered). It was expensive, but worth every penny. For people on a budget, trust me, go with the tasting menu.

Located about a nice 10 minute walk down Crown Street (to near Albion Street) from Oxford Street. About 15-20 minute walk from the Museum train station at Hyde Park. Located next to Bill's Restaurant, btw.

Dec 23, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We had a lovely dinner here on friday night. After a slight mix up with the table, we sat down to a fabulous meal. The maitre ' more than compensated us for his error and the service was excellent from that point on. Our waitress knew about everything on the menu and was almost invisible during the meal.

We started with the san choi bow and the steamed prawn dumplings which melted in your mouth, with the flavours combining beautifully. We would have liked to try the scallops but they were all out (apparently they are a must). For the mains we ordered a duck special (crispy), the mussels and the poached chicken. We also had chinese greens on the side. All were very good. It is BYO so we took some wine and it ended up being just $45 per person (we couldn't have eaten anymore).

We were not charged corkage due to the small table error. An am pleased to see that some restaurants in Sydney still understand that great food and service will have their customers returning and recommending them to friends. The best Chinese meal I've had in ages.

Nov 17, 2008 

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  3     

A letdown, overrated and way overpriced.

Nov 08, 2008 

6.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  7     

I love eating here for the food only. My biggest problem is that it is so uncomfortable. Can't they find a bigger place.

Oct 15, 2008