Mr Wong - Chinese - The Duck's not Silver

Mr Wong

 http://merivale.com.au/mrwong/

 Location: Bridge Lane, Sydney CBD. Closest station Wynyard

Cuisine: Chinese

$$$ per person spent inc drinks: $80

The Glorified Mr Wong. Every review you might read on the web like (our trusted) Timeout Sydney will tell you how fantastic and inspirational Mr Wong’s is. Walk down the alleyway and queue outside the grand entrance, and you’ll believe them too. You cannot question the ambience – the setting is beautiful. Open spaces, warm, perfect lighting, grand bar, great staff… But we’re here for the food too, and following in the footsteps of Ms G’s in Darlinghurst or our previous post on China Doll is a hard act to follow. Again, we are here to give you our honest verdict on the whole package – despite what all the professional foodies have to say … so read on friends, this is our verdict.

 AMBIENCE

Dels says ‘Not one single detail has been spared when decorating and creating Mr Wong’s. I was impressed from the brick lane entry to the finish on the wood of the walls. The lighting, music and little Asian furnishings scattered around, all added to the impresive ambiance’

DKay says 'hard to beat. No expenses spared on the detail. Wood features throughout from the beams, to the floors, to the high tables. Great vibe.’

Kaan says 'One of the best we’ve seen! Merivale has done an amazing job of renovating the old Tank nightclub into an eclectic, Chinese influenced, hip new restaurant’

Bron says ‘Wow! Put your name at the door, and wait for your seat, for the setting of this restaurant will blow your mind. It’s gorgeous. The tables aren’t fancy, but the décor is put together by a genius; the lighting by a specialist; the bar by cocktail enthusiast! I love this setting!’

FOOOODDDDD

We ordered:

 Entrees to share

Steamed Dim Sum Platter (8 pieces) - Scallop shumai, Jade seafood dumpling, Har Gau, Chinese mushroom dumpling $32
Deep-fried Dim Sum Platter (8 pieces) - Crispy beef roll, Lobster Mei Si roll, Pear taro croquette, Foie gras prawn toast $32

Peking duck pancakes - Half (8 pancakes) $45 

Mains to share

Stir fried chilli Crystal Bay prawns $32

Hotpot of beef and tendon, enoki mushrooms, star anise and Thai basil $32

Sichuan style eggplant, dark soy and chilli $18
Hotpot of braised tofu and seasonal baby vegetables, served “Lo Han” style $26

Dessert to share

Mr. Wong’s deep fried ice cream served with butter scotch sauce, vanilla or chocolate $14
Roast white chocolate ice cream, yuzu curd, longans, and raspberries $14

Strawberries, meringue, macadamia praline, cream cheese ice cream and Thai basil $14

 

Steamed Dim Sum Platter (8 pieces) - Scallop shumai, Jade seafood dumpling, Har Gau, Chinese mushroom dumpling $32

Dels says ‘Great as a starter. The jade seafood dumpling was absolutely delicious. I preferred the steamed dim sum plater over the deep fried one.'
DKay says 'Colourful looking dish. Dim sims were fresh, good bursts of flavours but nothing special. I’d suggest heading down to Chinatown if you have a dim sims craving.’

Kaan says 'Every dumpling I compare to Din Tai Fung, and in comparison it was close to the benchmark but not quite there. My favourite was the Har Gau and the Chinese mushroom dumpling’

Bron says ‘I really enjoyed this: the green mushroom dumpling in particular. It felt light and was bursting with flavour. It was nice and easy to share between 4 x people too!’ 

Deep-fried Dim Sum Platter (8 pieces) - Crispy beef roll, Lobster Mei Si roll, Pear taro croquette, Foie gras prawn toast $32

Dels says ‘Enjoyed this dim sum platter, there were some really delicious dim sums worth trying like the crispy beef roll; found it quite unique. I also enjoyed the fois gras prawn toast because I couldn’t taste any of the fois gras ha!’

DKay says 'Oh? One was lobster and one had taro? Hmm.... I thought I tasted fish in one of them too....Tasty option but personally not a fan of too much fried food’

Kaan says 'I preferred this for one reason: the crispy beef roll. It’s worth getting the platter just for this!’

Bron says ‘Oh the disappointment of the night! I was expecting a Ms G style prawn toast smothered in decadent Foie gras…I was mistaken! Sad face! The crispy beef roll was really nice, but I wouldn’t order this platter if I were you.' 

Peking duck pancakes - Half (8 pancakes) $45

Dels says ‘Skipped this, duck is not my thing’
DKay says 'I can’t fault the dish. Exactly how I expect my duck pancakes to look and taste.’

Kaan says ‘We’ve tried this a few times and in comparison to China Doll, it was more authentic, but hands down China Dolls version was the best I have ever, ever had. Mr Wong’s sauce was better though’

Bron says ‘I loved this but realised we had something very similar at China Doll and I kept comparing the two!’ 

Stir fried chilli Crystal Bay prawns $32

Dels says ‘The prawns were literally melt in your mouth and cooked to perfection. To be honest, I don’t think Ive ever had prawns cooked so well. The chilli flavour wasn’t too overpowering. I would try all of the other prawn dishes on the menu.'

DKay says 'Prawns were fresh, sweet and in abundance. Although I did enjoy it, sauce was anything special. Was more sweet chilli than chilli.’

Kaan says 'Very nice, not too spicy, but not something I would rave on about’

Bron says ‘Absolutely delish! The prawns were succulent, the chilli stir-fry complemented this to the max!  

Hotpot of beef and tendon, enoki mushrooms, star anise and Thai basil $32

Dels says ‘I very much dislike tendons but I tried a small piece anyway. I wasn’t fussed with this dish as I also dislike star anise. I wouldn’t recommend this dish to anyone.'

DKay says 'Beef was soft, tender, full of flavour and well accompanied with the mushrooms and radish. Lacking the wow factor but still one of the better dishes of the night...’

Kaan says 'The beef was high quality and succulent. The letdown was there was too much fat which turned me off. A nice influence of European mini-vegetables which gave the dish added texture’

Bron says ‘This was nice, but it didn’t WOW me… I felt like I should have been wowed, and yet there I was ‘un-wowed’.  

Sichuan style eggplant, dark soy and chilli $18

Dels says ‘Absolutely divine! Had my eyes water once or twice from the chilli but it didn’t stop me from fighting for the last piece of eggplant.'

DKay says 'Eggplant generally can do no wrong in my eyes (nor palate) and this dish was no exception. Simple, tasty, yum!’

Kaan says 'My favourite dish and the most surprising. It blew me away and if I were ever to be back I would order it again.’

Bron says ‘A beautiful dish bursting with flavours – the best dish of the night for me’ 

Hotpot of braised tofu and seasonal baby vegetables, served “Lo Han” style $26

Dels says ‘Great dish, tofu was soft and fluffy and very flavoursome. I was happy that the vegetables were plentiful and there was a variety. The broth was a little thick yet still tasty. This was the last dish that came out and it should have come out earlier.'

DKay says 'Good flavours but nothing special and not worth the price.’

Kaan says 'Pretty good, the tofu wasn’t too great, but the vegetables were lovely. Similar to that of the beef hotpot – European style mini-vegetables is a winner’

Bron says ‘I liked this but again, no wow factor. What made this dish worth $26? To me, I could have been at the Marigold for example… common.’ 

Mr. Wong’s deep fried ice cream served with butter scotch sauce, vanilla or chocolate $14 (we ordered both vanilla and choc)

Dels says ‘This was the biggest waste of $14 ever! You can get the exact same thing at your local chinese restaurant and it wont taste any different. Very very very disappointed! There was nothing special about the icecream or the batter.. If you take anything from this review today, let this be it!'
DKay says 'Had one bite and wished I didn’t. Looked blah, tasted blah.’

Kaan says 'Not worth the money, I would never order this again. A complete disappointment; I thought Mr Wong would do so much better!’

Bron says ‘Chocolate was better than vanilla, but I have to say this is the worst deep fried ice-cream I’ve ever had.’

Roast white chocolate ice cream, yuzu curd, longans, and raspberries $14

Dels says ‘Nothing special at all. It started sweet but left a funny taste in my mouth afterwards, I couldn’t even tell you what I didn’t like about it.'

DKay says 'Was expecting ice cream to be white? Sounds better than it tasted.’

Kaan says 'The flavours were confusing. I tried it a few times and I still couldn’t make up my mind on whether I liked it or not. Would never order this again!’

Bron says ‘My tastebuds couldn’t understand this dessert.’ 

Strawberries, meringue, macadamia praline, cream cheese ice cream and Thai basil $14

Dels says ‘OHHH MYYY GOODNESSS this is what I call a PERFECT dessert! I have recommended it to so many friends! Every single flavour and texture combine to create perfection. The cream cheese icecream is unbelievably tasty, the strawberries and crunch of the macadamia balance the icecream and thai basil gives it freshness. Was very happy that we ordered this!'

DKay says 'Dessert/dish of the night. Was creative, loved the textures and the basil was a nice touch on the palette.’

Kaan says 'I personally wouldn’t order desserts at Mr Wong, but if you are going to, the only dish worth ordering is this.’

Bron says ‘OK now we are talking Mr Wong. This was amazing. A party in your mouth and the only thing I would possibly return for – if they let me’ 

VINNOOOOOOOOO

Kaan, Bron, Dels ordered the following wine:

NV Chandon – Yarra Valley, Vic $11

Dels says ‘Everyone knows Chandon.. easy to drink and very light.'
Bron says ‘I love the glass they served this in. Want to impress your first date or your client? Bring them to Mr Wong for wine and cocktails bebe!’ 

11 Rio Mendoza Malbec – Mendoza, Arg $8

Kaan says 'Probably the best $8 Malbec I’ve ever had at a restaurant. It was full-bodied, had great flavours and it was nicely spiced. Probably the best wine to order at Mr Wong by glass’

Bron says ‘Absolutely gorgeous! Mendoza is well known for their Malbec’s and this did not disappoint!’ 

OVERALL TEAM VIEWSSSS

Dels says ‘The ambiance makes this place, the food is DISAPPOINTING! Its popularity clearly comes from the hype and nothing else.'
DKay says 'Sadly, Mr Wong didn’t live up to the hype. Disappointing!’

Kaan says 'Great vibe but the food prices didn’t reflect the quality of the food. I wasn’t wowed… I would rather go to China Doll any day for modern Chinese and spend the dollar there, then come to Mr Wong’s again.’

Bron says ‘OK, the setting is fabulous, and yet if you had to close your eyes and eat the food you could be at your local Chinese… and that’s my honest opinion!’

 

KAAN WILL SHELVE (i.e. not very good)

1.    The deep fried ice-cream – both chocolate and vanilla

2.    The roast white chocolate ice-cream, yuzu curd, longans and raspberries

...

AND THE SILVER DUCK GOES TO:

 Dels says ‘The décor is second to none but I also loved the cream cheese icecream dessert! I cant pick between the two.'

DKay says 'the decor..yep, none of the food was duck worthy..’

Kaan says 'If I have to: The eggplant dish.’

Bron says ‘Ambience: amazing! Décor, lighting, bar, staff = excellent!’

 

 

Team meets next month....

Hint : Studios produce Gaytime

Date we visited Mr Wong: 24/10/2012