China Doll
Location: Woolloomooloo Wharf
Cuisine: Modern Asian
$$$ per person spent inc drinks: $75
Well hello again! Great Wall of Toys … yes the riddle meant China Doll. More
like the great wall of beautiful china dishes, pots and vases. This time we
decided to go a little “all out” and treat ourselves (why not?!) on the
gorgeous Woolloomooloo Wharf. If you’re ever there and up for a cheeky cocktail
prior to dinner, make sure you check out the Water Bar, you won’t be sorry!
Let us begin by saying that the setting of this restaurant is just
beautiful… the city skyline, the bopping yachts, the warm outdoor heaters and
lulling candlelight. This mixed with the blue china plates and sparkling
glasses… heavenly setting and we were in for a big treat!
Dels says ‘Beautiful outdoor seating, made me feel warm even
though it was a cool night. Nice soft lighting, good china and nice view.
DKay says 'Contemporary with a good amount of traditional
Chinese artwork scattered throughout. Romantic & beautiful.’
Kaan says 'Modern fusion mixed with classic
Chinese art; very minimalistic allows one to enjoy the beautiful views of the
city skyline’
Bron says ‘My ultimate venue for a midsummer night date – just gorgeous!
The Woolloomooloo on-the-wharf setting with city skyline, the fine china and
sparkling wine glasses… a winner!’
FOOOODDDDD
We ordered:
Sashimi of Hiramasa Kingfish & Ocean Trout w
Blackened Chilli Dressing $26
Crispy Wonton - Scallop & Prawn & Vegetable w XO
$20
Duck Pancakes w Hoi Sin Cucumber & Shallots (8pcs)
$44
Wok Fried Asian Eggplant & Tofu w Sichuan Chilli Bean
Paste $26
Sichuan Salt & Pepper Prawns w Chilli & Garlic
$36
Organic Wok Fried Beef Fillet w Black Pepper &
Chinese Broccoli $36
Steamed Rice $8
Whits Choc & Peanut Butter Slice w Raspberry jelly Salted Peanut
Sesame Ice Cream $14
Sago Pudding w Vanilla Coconut Cream $ Passionfruit Coulis $12
Sashimi of Hiramasa Kingfish & Ocean
Trout w Blackened Chilli Dressing $26
Dels says ‘One of
my favourite dishes of the night. Both kingfish and trout were delicious but it
was the blackened chilli dressing that absolutely brought out the flavours of
the fish. Will go back for this dish.’
DKay says ‘Really tasty. The trout especially was very flavoursome and dish was
well complemented with the condiments.’
Kaan says’Loved
the idea of having kingfish and trout. Initially thought it would be a hit and
miss but it worked really well. The most pleasant surprise was the trout –
fresh and tasty.’
Bron says ‘My
favourite dish by far. The freshness of the kingfish and trout with this delish
chilli dressing that didn’t overpower the tastebuds was a winner’.
Crispy Wonton - Scallop & Prawn &
Vegetable w XO $20
Dels says ‘At the
first bite I didn’t rate this wonton however the more I got through it, the
more tasty it became. These are really big wontons, probably as big as half a
slice of bread so 4 servings may be a lot if dining as a couple.’
DKay says ‘Hmm... had potential. The
filling was fresh and bursting with good flavours but dish was let down by the
casing. The pastry was too oily and thick.’
Kaan says ‘Probably
one of my least favourite dishes was the wonton. Almost tempted to shelve it!
The crispy pastry was too oily and it felt disconnected from the fresh seafood
within it’
Bron says ‘This
was oily and something that I wouldn’t expect to be served by a restaurant of
this calibre. It wasn’t worth $20!’
‘
Duck Pancakes w Hoi Sin Cucumber &
Shallots (8pcs) $44
Dels says ‘I don’t
eat duck so I skipped this one!’
DKay says ‘Love love love. The smoky flavours of the duck was perfectly balance
with the hoi sin sauce. Very tasty. Favourite dish of the night.
Kaan says ‘Lets cut
to the chase. Officially one of the best I have ever, ever had! Full stop.’
Bron says ‘Crispy
duck; light, slightly sweet pancakes; Hoi Sin sauce made to perfection. This
dish is a Must-Try!’
Wok Fried Asian Eggplant & Tofu w
Sichuan Chilli Bean Paste $26
Dels says ‘The
tofu was creamy and eggplant cooked to perfection. I would have liked some
crunch to it but I enjoyed it none the less.’
DKay says ‘You can never go wrong with tofu & eggplant in my books.
Especially when cooked with chilli bean paste. Not worth the price though.’
Kaan says ‘Pretty
decent dish but nothing outstanding. The only highlight was the eggplant well
prepared’
Bron says ‘I
didn’t think too much of this dish, except that the tofu was just the way I
like it cooked: crispy on the outside, and gooey and creamy on the inside!’
Sichuan Salt & Pepper Prawns w Chilli
& Garlic $36
Dels says ‘The
batter was quite heavy and overpowered the taste of the prawn. You need to
cover the prawn with the salt and pepper to really taste flavour. This was
quite a large portion as well. I wouldn’t order this again.’
DKay says ‘A real disappointment. The batter on prawns was much too heavy and was
not crisp. The flavours of the prawn was lost amongst all that batter.
Kaan says ‘Was
really looking forward to this but it was the biggest let-down and it wasn't
due to the prawns. The prawns were big and fresh but the batter was too soft
and heavy. Was expecting light and fluffy’
Bron says ‘I
did not enjoy this. Even with heaps of the Sichuan salt the prawns were
flavourless, and the batter made my skin feel disgusting if that even makes
sense – it just made me feel heavy like I had eaten a deep fried seafood
basket.’
Organic Wok Fried Beef Fillet w Black
Pepper & Chinese Broccoli $36
Dels says ‘This
was my other favourite dish. The Black Pepper dressing was so full of flavour
my taste buds were practically dancing! The beef was cooked to perfection and
the Chinese Broccoli and onions were plentiful. Definite winner!’
DKay says ‘Beef cooked to perfection. Tender and soft. Sauce was a little too
sweet for me. I was expecting black pepper so the sweetness was unexpected.
Kaan says ‘One
of my favourite dishes. Beef was succulent and tender. The sauce complemented
the whole dish and the vegetables were crunchy and infused with the delicious
sauce. Perfect with fluffy rice’
Bron says ‘Yummy!
This is a must-try too – the beef was melt-in-your-mouth amazing, the broccoli
was fresh and the sauce went so nicely with the rice: finished my plate!’
White Choc & Peanut Butter Slice w
Rasperry jelly Salted Peanut Sesame Ice Cream $14
Dels says ‘O-M-G!!
I screamed when I saw this on the menu and it’s no wonder we ordered 2 of these
as we knew 1 was not going to be enough!! If you’re a peanut butter fan you
will really enjoy this.’
DKay says ‘Love peanut butter so for it to feature in both the slice and the ice
cream was heavenly. Pomegranates added a nice contrast of flavours.
Kaan says ‘One
of the most different desserts I’ve tried – I loved it. Wasn't expecting
dessert of this calibre from an Asian restaurant. Ice-cream was a perfect
combination.’
Bron says ‘I
did like this, but it wasn’t my favourite dessert of the night. I like things
less rich and more creamy. But it was nice, I’ll give it that.’
Sago Pudding w Vanilla Coconut Cream $
Passionfruit Coulis $12
Dels says ‘This is
the perfect summer dessert, so light and fresh! The passionfruit flavour with
the vanilla coconut cream are a marriage made in heaven!’
DKay says ‘Sago was light, refreshing and perfect finale to the meal. Dish wasn’t
too sweet and the addition of passionfruit made the texture a little more
interesting and was a great complement.
Kaan says ‘I
always love a good sago - but this is the best I've had in years. The citrus of
passion fruit surprisingly complemented this sago pudding so well’
Bron says ‘This
was my favourite dessert and I would go back for it – the passionfruit went
really well with the creamy sago. Very nice, non-bloating dessert’
VINNOOOOOOOOO
Kaan,
Bron, Dels ordered the following wine:
Louis
Moreau Chablis, Burgundy, France $13
Dels says ‘Don’t
normally like the bitey taste of Chardonnay but this was different. If you love
your Semillon Sav Blanc or Pinot Grigio, try this Chardonnay, you will be
pleasantly surprised.’
Kaan says ‘Probably one of the
best unwooded Chardonnays I've had in a long time! Surprised that French wine
was available in an Asian restaurant but it worked so well’
Bron says ‘Delicious
crisp white that went very, very well with the sashimi!’
OVERALL TEAM
VIEWSSSS
Dels says ‘China
Doll was a great experience because not only was the food delicious, but the
ambiance of the restaurant and setting all played a part of it. The service is
great and the food comes out in a timely manner. Make sure you try the desserts
here because I think it’s easy to overlook them with so many amazing main
meals.’
DKay says ‘Great views, great atmosphere, great setting, great food. Best go with
a few friends as dishes quite plentiful so the more the merrier (and more
dishes you can try)!’
Kaan says ‘The whole evening was
holistically a hit! Wine, starters, mains dessert and atmosphere! A highlight’
Bron says ‘As
the ‘fine dining queen’, this was right up my alley. From the bathrooms (china
plates on the doors, and beautiful Chinese inspired wall paper), to the
delicious light food, I will be back for round 2 very soon*. *When the wallet
recovers ;P
KAAN WILL SHELVE (i.e. not very good)
Prawns shelve - anticipation vs follow through was very
poor!
AND THE FINE CHINA GOES TO:
Dels says ‘This
was hard but I am going to give it to the Organic
Wok Fried Beef Fillet w Black Pepper & Chinese Broccoli simply because it
was one of the best beef dishes I have ever had and I will talk about this dish
to people I know.’
DKay says ‘Duck pancakes. Smoke cooked duck. More please!’
Kaan says ‘Duck
pancakes. Plain and simple - the best ever’
Bron says ‘The ambience. Woolloomooloo wharf mixed with the fine china and art –
my kind of fun J
Team meets next month....
Hint : Mister as in Mr.
Date we
visited China Doll: 26/09/2012
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