King St Wharf
Sydney, 2000
(02) 9279 1170
Sydney, 2000
(02) 9279 1170
Category: Just got paid ($50 - $100)
Every now and then, on a rare occasion you find a place that you can come back to again and I have been here 2 times now, or is it 3? Regardless, I would return…
The location is strong, picturesque some would say. You are on the water, in the heart of the ‘prosperous’ part of town and away from the tourists in Darling Harbour. The setting and decor is simple; open plan and large with a long open kitchen. There are spots along the glass wall parallel to the water which are fabulous and quaint for a more romantic affair and the inner tables suit well for gatherings with friends and families. It seems Sydney is into ‘darker dining’ and this place is no exception, with the menu requiring some reading in certain areas of the restaurant due to the dim lighting.
The service is sharp, it comes with a smile and the wait staff are knowledgeable around the menu and relatively laid back. We are a little further back in the restaurant and closer to the open kitchen, the noise level increases given we a little stronger with the kitchen in close proximity. All in all there is a nice buzz to the place; people having a good time, couples enjoying a night out and some you can who are clearly on a date! The wine list is not extensive, however the drinks is made up with a strong selection of cocktails and mocktails to kick off proceedings (this seems the way to go).
For entrée we opt for the Satay sticks (chicken) and in the past we have tried the Otak Otak (fish paste wrapped in banana leaf then grilled) both are satisfactory without being amazingly good and the all important Satay sauce is a let-down. It’s not bad, just not fabulous. The mains however, is where it all comes to life. The Kapitan prawns (make sure you get the ‘with batter’ version) and the Sichuan eggplant are well… not to die for, but both very very very good, and clear signature dishes. Succulent, juicy king prawns, lightly battered and fried before being plunged into a light and very tasty gold coloured like sauce. The eggplants are cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, properly cooked all the way through and tossed with a delightful chilli sauce. Beware, the eggplant is hot, and if you happen to accidently bite a chilli (as my friend did, and you may given the dim lighting) you can be sure that you will need lots of water.
Outside these two shining stars, the remainder of the menu is rather ‘normal’ with little to write home about. To be honest, without these two dishes, I probably would not return. Their other chef’s specials are ok, without being great. The manu is also quite expansive, with all the regulars you would expect of a Malaysian restaurant. Laksa, noodle dishes, beef rendang etc. I personally, think there is a little too much choice. The desserts are pretty good; the lemon tart on offer was generous, and had a real lemon zing to it wihout being too heavy, and though you don’t have an extensive selection, there is enough on offer to keep most satisfied.
Despite the somewhat lacklustre menu (minus the prawns and eggplant) however, this is proof again that a couple of stars is good enough, and you do not necessarily need a team of champions to succeed. Proof of this is clearly visible as you will find the two stand out mains on most tables and whenever you mention the restaurant to people who have been the first things that they mention are the prawns and the eggplant dishes.
Overall, I like this place. Whether it be a friends gathering, a romantic evening with my wife, or even a family affair, it suits all of them well. There are enough decent support acts also to complement the star dishes and the service is effective, efficient and friendly enough also. The pricing is also very reasonable. Quite simply put… this is a place with great location, good food, good service, and good value, and with that it’s no wonder they are always packed. So make sure you book!
Bottom line:
Despite being a great place for a romantic night out, it is probably best with a group of 4 so you can sample and share more, so grab 3 friends! $50 a head will see you well covered, and this include a drink!
Score:
Food 7/10
Service 2/3
Décor 2/3
Cleanliness 2/2
BONUS 0.5/2
Total 13.5/20
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