beast-of-bourbon

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  9     

Strange little restaurant on anzac pde. Very small so often cramped full at lunchtime. Nothing fancy with plastic spoons and chopsticks but actually better sorted decor than some 'fancy' places.

Very good dumpling soup (suey gow) which they make on premises (ie the dumplings are made 'in the window' by hand). Haven't had such a good one since going to the old Hingara. One of their specialties is fried chicken wings which come in two different styles. Caution, very hot and if you're hungry the temptation can lead to burnt fingers! Have enjoyed the pork in plum sauce and salt and pepper squid.

Interesting vegetable dishes, like chinese mushroom and bukchoy which is appropriately bland and, therefore, offsets the tastier dishes. They have some strange 'milky' teas that are popular with some southern chinese but I haven't tried one yet. The staff are busy and usually helpful. Quick service and not expensive. Wouldn't recommend it for special occasion but for quick cheap meal great value.

Aug 19, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  5     

We have been going to dim sum (yum cha) in Sydney since the '80s and have heard about this place for some time. We went once when I believe it was called silver spring. Tried it again yesterday and was not overly impressed. Lots of people for a tuesday lunch, many seemed to be cantonese (the experts on dim sum), however, we found tired decor, seats were comfortable but quite worn, carpet like an old pub.

Found the staff friendly and the 'girls' wheeling the carts pleasant and helpful something of a rarity at yum cha! We measure dim sum dishes by comparing several 'standards'. The crispy stuffed yams were not hot and too oily and the steamed prawn and spinach dumpling lacked flavour. The chinese broccoli dish was ok but nothing to write home about. The rice noodle with prawn was good, and the other dishes were ok, my brother said the tripe was good. The sago and mango dessert had very little sago compared to others I've had.

An unusual thing served was a single peking duck pancake! A couple of other dishes we had were 'passable' (ie the pork spare rib in garlic and black bean) and some that other patrons were ordering seemed good (possibly grass is greener?) and the bbq mixed plate looked great (perhaps, next time) but not cheap or small as is the dim sum norm.

Found ourselves full but at $80 for two with just tea for drinks a little pricey considering the quality. Overall ok to try but if you can, give the Marigold a go as we find the ambience and food (especially our standards) better there.

Aug 11, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  9     

Very good but basic Lebanese cuisine. Have been going here for many years (menu basically the same). Not fancy surrounds so you go for the food. I certainly recommend the fresh lemons juice (we get it by the jug) and the dips. I am picky about babaganoush yet love the one here. My brother is a houmus fan and has tried many from around Sydney and overseas and says it's probably the best.

Lovely falafels especially with tahini sauce (I have had some in Sydney that were doughy or bland). They also do very good chicken skewers with fantastic 'garlic sauce' (Not the chicken on the big roll for kebabs), very good lamb skewers (I like mine medium rare), very good tabouleh, coriander potato and fried cauliflower. Fatoush salad is made fresh, and best eaten straight away. I'm not fond of the kebbe (usually heated up and a little dry).

Service is 'patchy' sometimes surly. Very good takeaway kebab sandwich/roll although we often get several dishes to go. They also have better than average turkish delight and baklava. The desserts are a little bit more to eat in, but with lebanese coffee makes a great finish to a meal.

Aug 04, 2010

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  4     

I have been going here for years but it has changed for the worse since they redecorated some years ago. Still some of the best bbq, pork tenderloin and duck are moist and the roast pork or suckling pig very good. However, I get takeaway at the street window as the sitting in is not worth it. Many years ago they made great spicy salt squid but last time it was bland and a poor cut. Still they have some unusual dishes and it still worth a go for the experience.

Aug 01, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  7     

I have been going here for 20 years, (when it opened and for 12+ years it was called the rocks dynasty) and have had many dishes although they have changed over time. They do a good Peking duck ie they show you your duck before slicing it up, good pancakes, hoi sin sauce mix, and lovely vegetables with the second course (my pick as they have a couple or other choices), they make a very nice kung po chicken (or prawns), and spicy salt pork/prawn/squid (I've tried all three!). If you're into honey prawns, equal best I've had, light batter unlike most 'suburban chinese'.

They make very good ie delicious, shallot pancakes, much better than others I have had. Another dish I have enjoyed is the whole crispy fish. They do assorted dumplings, my favourite being in a quite spicy broth. It is not cheap and can be busy so you may wait a while but I don't go for speed. I like the wine list and they are reasonably priced (the tassie pinot noir goes great with duck).

Decor is ok, good room around most tables. Sometimes there is difficulty in communication but the sisters running it always help me out. For tourists to Sydney, ask for the table at the rear window which overlooks darling harbour.

Aug 01, 2010

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  9     

Strange little restaurant on anzac pde. Very small so often cramped full at lunchtime. Nothing fancy with plastic spoons and chopsticks but actually better sorted decor than some 'fancy' places.

Very good dumpling soup (suey gow) which they make on premises (ie the dumplings are made 'in the window' by hand). Haven't had such a good one since going to the old Hingara. One of their specialties is fried chicken wings which come in two different styles. Caution, very hot and if you're hungry the temptation can lead to burnt fingers! Have enjoyed the pork in plum sauce and salt and pepper squid.

Interesting vegetable dishes, like chinese mushroom and bukchoy which is appropriately bland and, therefore, offsets the tastier dishes. They have some strange 'milky' teas that are popular with some southern chinese but I haven't tried one yet. The staff are busy and usually helpful. Quick service and not expensive. Wouldn't recommend it for special occasion but for quick cheap meal great value.

Aug 19, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  5     

We have been going to dim sum (yum cha) in Sydney since the '80s and have heard about this place for some time. We went once when I believe it was called silver spring. Tried it again yesterday and was not overly impressed. Lots of people for a tuesday lunch, many seemed to be cantonese (the experts on dim sum), however, we found tired decor, seats were comfortable but quite worn, carpet like an old pub.

Found the staff friendly and the 'girls' wheeling the carts pleasant and helpful something of a rarity at yum cha! We measure dim sum dishes by comparing several 'standards'. The crispy stuffed yams were not hot and too oily and the steamed prawn and spinach dumpling lacked flavour. The chinese broccoli dish was ok but nothing to write home about. The rice noodle with prawn was good, and the other dishes were ok, my brother said the tripe was good. The sago and mango dessert had very little sago compared to others I've had.

An unusual thing served was a single peking duck pancake! A couple of other dishes we had were 'passable' (ie the pork spare rib in garlic and black bean) and some that other patrons were ordering seemed good (possibly grass is greener?) and the bbq mixed plate looked great (perhaps, next time) but not cheap or small as is the dim sum norm.

Found ourselves full but at $80 for two with just tea for drinks a little pricey considering the quality. Overall ok to try but if you can, give the Marigold a go as we find the ambience and food (especially our standards) better there.

Aug 11, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  9     

Very good but basic Lebanese cuisine. Have been going here for many years (menu basically the same). Not fancy surrounds so you go for the food. I certainly recommend the fresh lemons juice (we get it by the jug) and the dips. I am picky about babaganoush yet love the one here. My brother is a houmus fan and has tried many from around Sydney and overseas and says it's probably the best.

Lovely falafels especially with tahini sauce (I have had some in Sydney that were doughy or bland). They also do very good chicken skewers with fantastic 'garlic sauce' (Not the chicken on the big roll for kebabs), very good lamb skewers (I like mine medium rare), very good tabouleh, coriander potato and fried cauliflower. Fatoush salad is made fresh, and best eaten straight away. I'm not fond of the kebbe (usually heated up and a little dry).

Service is 'patchy' sometimes surly. Very good takeaway kebab sandwich/roll although we often get several dishes to go. They also have better than average turkish delight and baklava. The desserts are a little bit more to eat in, but with lebanese coffee makes a great finish to a meal.

Aug 04, 2010

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  4     

I have been going here for years but it has changed for the worse since they redecorated some years ago. Still some of the best bbq, pork tenderloin and duck are moist and the roast pork or suckling pig very good. However, I get takeaway at the street window as the sitting in is not worth it. Many years ago they made great spicy salt squid but last time it was bland and a poor cut. Still they have some unusual dishes and it still worth a go for the experience.

Aug 01, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  7     

I have been going here for 20 years, (when it opened and for 12+ years it was called the rocks dynasty) and have had many dishes although they have changed over time. They do a good Peking duck ie they show you your duck before slicing it up, good pancakes, hoi sin sauce mix, and lovely vegetables with the second course (my pick as they have a couple or other choices), they make a very nice kung po chicken (or prawns), and spicy salt pork/prawn/squid (I've tried all three!). If you're into honey prawns, equal best I've had, light batter unlike most 'suburban chinese'.

They make very good ie delicious, shallot pancakes, much better than others I have had. Another dish I have enjoyed is the whole crispy fish. They do assorted dumplings, my favourite being in a quite spicy broth. It is not cheap and can be busy so you may wait a while but I don't go for speed. I like the wine list and they are reasonably priced (the tassie pinot noir goes great with duck).

Decor is ok, good room around most tables. Sometimes there is difficulty in communication but the sisters running it always help me out. For tourists to Sydney, ask for the table at the rear window which overlooks darling harbour.

Aug 01, 2010

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  8     

Very nice dishes in simple (ie unattractive) decor. Good range of dumplings but for me the best dish is the lamb soup. Often get just a couple of soups for takeaway. Other dishes we've tried and liked are 'hot and sour cabbage' and 'fried chicken with onions' which are different to usual chinese (ie cantonese or chuchow). Their sweet and sour pork is a little fatty and different in taste but nice to try. Overall for value and simple northern chinese its a must try.

Jul 20, 2010

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  8     

Good basic thai, lots of somtum varieties, ie papaya salad, couple of very good noodle dishes (I like the Pad See Ele super). The Big tv could be annoying to some people but it has thai music so 'fits the bill' for a thai cafe. I found the bamboo salad a little disappointing but the simple 'roasted duck with rice' quite tasty. They always give a bottle of water as soon as you sit down even for one person having one or two dishes. To me the 'girls' serving have been friendly (although I have been there at early afternoon when not too busy) and also eye candy.

Jul 20, 2010