Spice Temple

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

What an experience. Great service, great ambience and Excellent food. Loved it!

May 27, 2012 

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  4     

We could only have our table from 6 to 8, which was fine with us, we were given an option to stay in the bar later. The service was a little sporadic, if you weren't ready to order when they first asked then you had to wait for a long time for them to return. So we ended up ordering everything at once, (no advice as to the fact that, perhaps, we were ordering too much food)- then food came first, then the wine, then the cocktails.

They just brought the food all at once, while I could see that other table who obviously didn't need to vacate so soon had their dishes brought out one by one to share.

Food was quite ok, we enjoyed the caramelised pork ribs, steamed eggplant, dumplings. Three-shot chicken was lovely, too. I was completely disappointed with the prawns however. They were simply not fresh, almost mushy in texture.

For that, the dish was totally overpriced at $49. Once we were moved to (the service corner end of) the bar, the service was practically non-existent. We had to go over to the bar (everyone frantically making cocktails) to order our drinks. All the waiting staff went past us with their water jugs and drinks orders without stopping to check on us.

Even paying the bill took long and was almost self-service, we had to take the bill folder back to the cashier (right next to us) before leaving. I don't think they deserved the 10% tip on a big bill we left them.

May 19, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  4     

I really don't want to give this review as I know other people rave about the food. The service is excellent, I like the decor but the food.

The food was bland, not subtle, but bland. All of our dishes were also ridiculously oily, as though a flavourless vegetable oil had been added to each dish before it was delivered to our table. The amount of oil was such that both my partner and I felt physically ill.

May 08, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  3     

If you enjoy Asian meals targeted at western taste, you might enjoy this restaurant. But if you are looking for real Asian cuisine, look elsewhere. I should point out the staff service was great. But does the restaurant have to be so dark?

May 02, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

It's not everyday that an asian restaurant gets two chefs hat. Spice temple is a more casual affair compared to what you'd normally expect for hatted restaurant, but this is what dining in sydney is evolving to be.

Yes the place is very dark, I guess it takes the edge off things if you're here on a date, there is light that shines directly above your plates but that is it. The place gets very full and can be somewhat loud but not unbearingly so.

Service was great especially considering I came here with a large group of 15. The great thing is despite the large number of ppl, we weren't forced to adhere to a set menu but did have to order the dishes one day in advance which we were fine with.

Now don't come here if you're going to compare the food to your local asian takeaway. The food is seemed consistent and beautifully executed, with dishes that you wouldn't be able to have just anywhere. Steamed eggplant was definitely different, and a flavour hit though a bit salty for some. I love how the garlic added creaminess to the dish without a pungent garlic hit.

Tingling prawns were great and fresh, though you could probably easily recreate this dish at home, lamb and cumin pancake were beautifully crispy without the heavy oil residue you can get at some, we tried both the smoked tea chicken and the duck, and while its different everyone agreed they preferred the crispiness that comes along w traditional peking duck.

Fish drowned in chillies is not at all spicy as you might think, but somewhat bland compared to other dishes, hot sweet numbing sour pork was delicious, kind of reminded us of a gourmet popcorn chicken w a numbing hit that comes with the sichuan pepper, stir fried pork belly w beans is always a crowd pleaser, good but I like my pork belly even crispier, steamed king abalone was deliciously simple with the mushroom almost meaty in texture.

So many more dishes to try, will definitely come back. Paid about $70pp including a cocktail or two.

Apr 25, 2012 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Single best dining experience of my life. The staff were attentive but not annoying, the menu offered something for everyone and the food came quickly. The food itself was amazing. The quality of the ingredients, combination of flavours and portions of the dishes were all perfect. We had a small issue with a couple of coffees being cold at the end of the meal so they simply removed all the coffees from the final bill and then gave all 6 of us a cocktail to say sorry.

Bill wise it was way cheaper than expected. $300 for entrée, mains and desert for 6 people. Great value! You're not going to regret going for dinner here. I can't wait to go again.

Apr 16, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

Excellent date or business venue. Great variety of interesting flavours and textures, simply but beautifully presented. Ambience dark but not quite cosy enough for an intimate evening, plenty of noise transmitted from other tables. Service clean but impersonal. Certainly a place to try for a special occasion. Gorgeous food not easily found elsewhere.

Apr 14, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

We have been to the Spice Temple twice now. On both occasions we have had outstanding experiences. The first time was in a group of six before a musical and the second, a slow dinner for three. I must confess I do not generally like Chinese food as I find it stoggy, with poor quality ingredients, especially meat which is often difficult to discern and identify.

The food at this restaurant is premium Chinese food, with extraordinary ingredients. The portions do not match those of a local Chinese family restaurant and the prices are much higher. But these are very different eating experiences. If you want the value and portions of a local Chinese restaurant Do Not go to the Spice Temple. If you understand the value of outstanding food and service, I would highly recommend this restaurant. Our favourite entree dishes were the lamb dumplings (amazing!), fried squid with 5 spice paste (loved by all!), caramelised pork spare ribs (not my choice, but highly acclaimed by everyone else, I certainly had a few though!).

In terms of the mains, the 24 hour tea-smoked chicken is an absolute Must! Just incredible! The other favourite was the Kung Pao chicken, so popular we ordered a second for the group! Just avoid the chillies! The Chinese broccoli served nicely as the required veggie! Boiled rice of course neccessary. I would never waste my money on wine with such dominant flavours, but the Lychee caprioska was outstanding!

Our service on both occasions was perfect. Attentive, informed and pleasant. We will certainly be back! The bill was not much more than $60 a head on both nights. Great value as you don't need wine!

Apr 07, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

We had a wonderful evening here, group of 4 girls. We ordered 3 mains (of different meat/seafood) and one side of veges. Was the perfect amount of us as the sizes were generous. The staff were very friendly, excellent service and the food delicious. I would definitely go back!

Mar 18, 2012 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  1     

Really disappointing. We ordered the banquet as wanted to try a decent selection between the two of us. We came expecting a decent meal at least. The food was too oily and the flavours were disappointing. Certainly nothing special. We ordered the peanut dessert on top of the banquet as read about it in a previous review. It was good but very sweet and really chewy and difficult to cut to the bottom. This made it a challenge to eat. Overpriced, poor serving size and average food. We will not be back.

Mar 09, 2012