Simon Food Favourites: Modern Asian

20 July 2017

Jade Temple, CBD Sydney (3 July 2017)

11 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.jadetemple.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/jadetemplesydney/

Cantonese is the new Rockpool

Always good to see Chef Neil Perry at the kitchen pass on its first day of opening. Loving the decor and friendly professional service as you'd expect from such a fine looking restaurant. Freshly shucked oysters with ginger and black bean dressing ($4.50) from Merimbula had a nice flavour combo and made for a great starter. Prawn har goa ($12, 4 pieces) seemed to be made well but would have preferred more noticeable texture of the prawn. Scallop and prawn siu mai ($12, 4 pieces) had the scallop chopped up inside although I tend to prefer when they sit a whole one on top. Fried chicken wings with sweet sour sauce ($9.50, 2 pieces half serve) was the stand out for me. That crispy egg batter on the chicken so good and meat nice and juicy. Great chilli sauce served on the side without having to ask for it gets a tick of approval.

Leaving a bit of room for dessert I had to try the Fried vanilla and date ice cream with maple sauce ($14). Pleasant crunch on the coating and pleasing yummy flavours. For those that enjoy their cocktails on the boozy side I'd recommend the Jade Emperor - Vodka, Chartreuse, Amaretto, Dry Vermouth ($20) with well balanced flavours or the Luck Dragon - 1988 Armagnac, Leather Aged Curacao, Apricot Brandy, Lemon, Lime, Dark Cocoa ($22). Apparently the yum cha will be available from 31 July. For a romantic date night be sure to request Table 88 on the balcony, previously named Table 50 and perhaps order that $280 per kg live lobster as a special treat. There's a large screen that hides the kitchen now but I'd rather see glimpses of the chef and kitchen theatre which adds more character to the dining experience.

23 April 2011

China Doll: Modern Asian, Woolloomooloo (23 Apr 2011)

4/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Phone: (02) 9380 6744
http://www.chinadoll.com.au

A fulfilling banquet

A celebratory birthday lunch brings me to China Doll for the $69 banquet menu consisting of 8 dishes plus rice and a dessert platter which included 3 choices. To start cocktails were ordered including a refreshing non-alcoholic Younglings ($8) made with young coconut juice and raspberries. My Tanqueray Gin & Tonic ($8) is served in a tall glass but my preference is usually short. The Pomegranate Marguerita ($17) looked good and from all reports hit the spot. A nice bottle of Greystone Sand Dollar Pinot Gris 2010 ($55) slowly turned into 5 by the end of the meal.

The banquet started with White cut chicken salad which packed quite a chilli kick reminding me of the overly spicy salads I’ve had at House on Wentworth Avenue. The Steamed half shell scallops are nice although their bite sized pieces don’t last long and I wished they were a bit larger in size. I really enjoyed the Corn & zucchini cakes with a crisp outer shell and tasty filling. The Chilli salt squid resembling chips are tender and spiced to tantalise the palate although I’m not sure if I’m supposed to taste grains of sugar in the mix. One of the crowd favourites was the Pork belly with chilli caramel & nam pla phrik. Just the right about of rendered crunch combined with juicy meat and a tasty coating. I suspect it’s one of their signature dishes that most diners order time after time. Chinese greens retained their crunch and were well flavoured. The Crispy chicken with yellow bean sauce was OK but some of the breast pieces were perhaps too large for my liking and I was craving more crispy skin. I still prefer the Shan Tung Chicken at Kingsford Chinese Restaurant.

I was impressed with how tender the Penang curry of wagyu beef shin was which fell apart effortlessly and its robust flavoured sauce which went well with the steamed rice. A vegetarian substitute dish of Wok Fried Asian Eggplant & Tofu looked good and apparently was well received. The dessert platter to share included some very nice gelato and vanilla bean ice cream. Sago was quite good with fresh passionfruit and the warm sticky rice was well liked with notes of ginger I believe. My Cappuccino ($5) was not the most robust in flavour but thankfully not bitter too. With a final bill of $1042.50 for nine it's definitely not cheap especially when you start adding drinks. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and depth of flavour in the dishes and noticed most of the diners were non-Asian. Thankfully the dish sizes were decently portioned so everyone was feeling comfortably full by the end of the banquet.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Efficient and professional service which was attentive, Water views, Quality ingredients, Banquet menu left most people comfortably full, Vegetarians are catered for

CONS: Can end up being quite expensive especially with drinks, Toilets are upstairs with a highly mirrored entrance which can be disorientating

MUST TRY: Corn & zucchini cakes with coriander sambal, Pork belly with chilli caramel & nam pla phrik, Penang curry of wagyu beef shin

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