I know Thursday night is reserved for footy, and you probably want to head to the pub for a beer and a schnitty with some mates – but I assure you the $49 Tasting Banquet at CHU by China Doll is well worth a change in routine!
For a small price, you can indulge in delectable Pan-Asian cuisine and an extensive wine list in a stunning restaurant that took inspiration from 1940s Shanghai glamour.
When you arrive at this restaurant – which is neatly tucked away in West HQ – you’re greeted by a 2.5-metre-tall golden Buddha statue. Once inside, more golden finishes follow.
Gold chains cascade from the ceiling, traveling in seemingly pointless swirls as if they don’t know where they’re going – yet they somehow pull the room together.
Circular lights also appear to drape down at random, and from different angles they look like different phases of the moon.
China vases and flowerpots also litter the restaurant, which is set up on a sea of floral carpet.
I took in this view from a velvet green booth as anticipation built to experience the expertly crafted menu by Frank Shek – the renowned head chef of China Doll.
Frank was born in Scotland to parents who migrated from Hong Kong in the 1970s.
He began helping in his family’s Cantonese takeaway shop by the time he was six-years-old, and the experience sparked his life-long love for food and fast-paced excitement.
This upbringing was also the inspiration for the Tasting Banquet menu which showcases flavours from China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Southeast Asia using ethically sourced local ingredients.
My experience began with a Steamed Scallop with Glass Noodles and Garlic. This felt like a great way to start the culinary adventure. The scallop served as a refreshing hit before venturing on to the CHU Seasonal Chef’s Special Salad.
Now, if the scallop was a refreshing hit, then the salad was a refreshing slap. It was light, fresh, and had just the right amount of crunch.
Next was Pork and Peanut San Choy Bau which offered an explosion of savoury flavour before I tried the Korean Style Soy Fried Chicken. I think this is the only fried chicken that hasn’t make me feel like curling into a ball and holding my stomach after eating it. (Is that everyone’s reaction to fried chicken, or just me?)
After that was the fun, savoury, sweet and zesty Chinese Roast Pork with Brussel Sprouts, Honey and Lemon followed by the decadent Beef Penang Curry with Coconut and Thai Basil. This recipe has been refined to perfection, and I was grateful when the beef crumbled under my cutlery.
Photo: Ally Hall.
Also on offer were Chinese Greens with Fragrant Soy Sauce. These were too flavourful to call a palette cleanser, but it did feel a bit like hitting the reset button before indulging in Coconut Sago and Black Sticky Rice for dessert.
Throughout the experience, my pilot-in-training waiter ensured I was enjoying my food and topped up my champagne glass when it was dwindling.
The top service mixed with beautiful décor and groovy-but-subtle jazz music filling the restaurant elevated my Thursday night outing.
I prefer to avoid the term ‘hidden gem’ when I can, but CHU by China Doll at West HQ fits the bill.
