Flower Drum

Posted by: Jamoeesh | 15 January 2010, 10.47pm

Amazing service, army of waiters followed by delightful chinese food superbly put together. It's expensive at $90 per head for lunch wihout wine but very impressive experience if you have deep pockets.

Food:			Visit: Fri 15 January 2010 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Dean66 | 2 December 2009, 10.32am

My wife and I had dinner at the Flower Drum last night celebrating our first anniversary. Neither of us had been before but had very high expectations.

Gladly I can say that our expectations were easily met. We decided on the 6 course banquet and it was a great choice. Starting with an amazing mud crab dish, working our way through quail san choi bao and some beautifully fresh whiting fillets we were highly anticipating our mains.

The Peking Duck was superb, beautifully light and delicate pancakes and wonderful duck. Next came a noodle stir fry of crayfish and ginger - again a wonderfully balanced and very generous dish. Finally in our mains came the eye fillet and, as someone has previously reported, it was incredibly tender and melt in the mouth. Desert was a mango pancake that was fine.

The service was outstanding, unobtrusive, alert, charming. The only downside was a large group obviously having a christmas get together - that time of year I guess.

The final bill came to around $400 and I've no problems paying that for what we had and how we were treated.

Food:			Visit: Tue 1 December 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: barry-licious | 11 September 2008, 3.15pm

I remember going to the Flower Drum a number of years ago and enjoying the fine food and dining there, but I don't remember being so entertained by the service staff.

Recently I took an American friend of mine - who is working here in Melbourne for a short stint.

I must say that the Flower Drum has not lost it's touch! The food - and the staff - made the experience a real night out.

Barry - as I read in another Flower Drum review -is certainly effervescent and enthusiastic. His passion for the Flower Drum's food was evident, especially the Patagonian Toothfish.

So - thanks Barry and all the Flower Drum staff for fine food and wine - with expert service to top it all off.

Food:			Visit: Thu 11 September 2008
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Posted by: realreview | 18 June 2008, 8.54am

My employer, who is well respected in the hospitality Industry, took 16 employees to the flower drum. We had a 5 course banquet all silver served to us. The food was impressive to say the least. We had 2 waiters assigned to our table as well as one of the owners/managers. The peking duck brought your taste buds to life. The dim sum was clean and fresh on the palate the san choy bau was amazing. The eye fillet melted in your muth literally and the fruit platter was a mixture of fresh and exotic fruit. Well done Barney So and the rest of the team.

Food:			Visit: Thu 20 September 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: chanxiaolin | 13 May 2008, 3.44pm

Service is excellent, seafood is fresh!

Food:			Visit: Tue 13 May 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: jreyes | 17 February 2008, 9.26pm

I've always wanted to try Flower Drum as I've heard so many good things about the food and service. So we decided to go for Valentine's which I booked about 6 months in advance (so I won't be disappointed). You just cannot fault the service, it is absolutely impeccable. We ordered the dim sums for entree and had the peking duck and cantonese eye fillet as mains and they were absolutely fantastic. Everything was cooked to perfection and the beef just melts in your mouth. We topped it up with deep fried ice cream & mango pancakes for dessert as well as a proposal from my now fiance. Definitely one of the best nights I've ever had!

Food:			Visit: Thu 14 February 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: jimmy tham | 13 November 2007, 12.35pm

I have not been to Flower Drum but heard a lot about it so I was very excited about the experience. After being there, I don't think it is such a big deal. I think the decor and the food has to improve to keep up with better restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. However, the service was exemplary and it was not intrusive. We ordered the banquet and the dishes were good but not memorable, with the exception of the eye fillet.

Food:			Visit: Sun 11 November 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: nicola&toby | 6 November 2007, 1.18pm

Every year my husband and I make a booking for the Flower Drum. I had never been, but he always talked of it as an intensely lovely eating experience. In the hours after our wedding we dined there, and we dine there every year for our anniversary. What he described I found to be just so: the timing of each course (we ordered a two-person banquet) is next-to-perfect. Just when you think you're ready to lie down and sleep from too much food, your interest is piqued by another dainty and succulent dish.
The quality of the meat, the seafood and the fruit and vegetables is unquestionably good. You're never served less than a superb cut of meat or ideal piece of seafood. Worth mentioning, in particular, are the scallops, which have a texture and taste you'll rarely find as good, and the fruit, which is beautifully fresh and the finest examples around. The ambience is exceptional. You can have a conversation with your dining partner, and not be heard, the staff are smooth and elegant, and all the additions are characteristically Flower Drum, even if they wouldn't work everywhere.
The cost can range, depending on the structure of your meal (I recommend a banquet), the number of drinks you have and so on, but the best evening I spent there cost $130 each. Every year I leave feeling a bit drunk from the experience.

Food:			Visit: Tue 6 November 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: 5tompy | 7 February 2007, 9.50pm

I hadn't been to the Flower Drum since 1990. It was as good as I remembered (except that last time I went, I didn't have to pay the bill!) The food and service were excellent. I felt very welcome from the moment I arrived. We decided to have the staff make a 'selection' for us, rather than choose dishes from the menu. We had 6 courses (5 savoury, 1 dessert), plus a very good bottle of Australian wine, and spent about $150 per head. The only thing I can criticise is the atmosphere. The dress standards appear to be low. Several other parties arrived in jeans and t-shirts, and yet they were admitted, and warmly welcomed by the staff (I think these patrons were probably regulars, but still - a restaurant like this should expect a better standard of dress).

Food:			Visit: Sat 27 January 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: swinter | 17 October 2006, 5.35pm

I'd have to agree the place is a little dated but other than that I highly recommend the Flower Drum. We went as a group of 10 and enjoyed an 8-course selection topped off with the fruit platter. All dietary requirements were catered for without fuss - the service was excellent and the food amazing.

A great dining experience!

Food:			Visit: Wed 16 August 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: monotone_au | 12 September 2006, 2.45am

I haven't been to another Chinese restaurant with such attentive, detailed service. The food is safe, traditional and done well. Skip the desserts and get the fruit platter.
The place is looking dated, to be honest.

Food:			Visit: Tue 14 June 2005 Mealtime: dinner
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