Idea Fine Food & Wine

Posted by: Natalie79 | 24 March 2009, 12.50pm

I have been to this restaurant twice for dinner now and have been extremely impressed both times, the service is brilliant, the restaurant has a relaxing calm feel about it. The wine list is massive and slightly confusing at times. The food was divine accept the sweet chilli scallops, they weren't that nice and were quite expensive. The pepper honey steak is a must have. Pricey but good.

Food:			Visit: Sun 8 March 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: goodfoodeater | 22 February 2009, 5.06pm

I looked up Chinese restaurants on the internet and saw some good revues for Idea Fine Food & Wine, so I made a booking for 4 people @ 8:30pm Saturday. We were told on the phone they only served the Banquet on Saturdays.

About half an hour after we sat down at our table the first course was served soft shell crab in batter. It had a horrible fishy taste. We paid a small fortune for a bottle of mediocre wine and ordered several drinks during the banquet. A half hour later one scallop-per-person turned up. Nice scallop, but it looked so lonely on its own. This was followed a good half hour later by two prawns per person on a limp salad leaf. Nice prawns, can't fault them, only the lack of them. Thirty minutes later two very small lamb-cutlets on a spoonful of spinach per plate and a small bowl of fried rice (three spoonfuls per bowl I measured them) appeared. Dessert was next one small scoop of ice cream and some mango sherbet.

It took three and a bit hours to serve us and it cost $92 a head.

Take my advice don't fall for this one. Never, never again.

Food:			Visit: Sat 14 February 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: lozc | 11 February 2009, 8.47am

The food looked and tasted fresh and healthy. Little bit pricey but definitely worth it for the quality. Great place to try something different aswell. The wine menu was fantastic. Will definitely be going back.

Food:			Visit: Wed 11 February 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: fasta | 12 May 2008, 12.01pm

Wow, what a find. Hidden amongst the regular Chinese restaurants in Little Bourke Street, we stumbled across this gem at 3pm looking for a late lunch and were delighted! Very nice use of the space, excellent wine list, and great food made a lunch that was a great afternoon out. You must try the giant scallops! Highly recommended if you love good Chinese.

Food:			Visit: Sat 5 April 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Blur | 28 August 2007, 9.44am

Four Sydneysiders looking for a quick feed on the way to the Swans vs Collingwood game at the MCG and being 4.30pm thought there would be plenty of options. One we tried was closed and across the road we found Idea. It was to be the best Chinese dining experience we have had anywhere (and we've tried plenty at all price points). Food was exquisite, unbelievably fresh and certainly a bit different and wine list was top shelf. Have been glowing in our praise to anyone who will listen and I for one will be back there at the very next opportunity I get to Melbourne.

Food:			Visit: Sat 25 August 2007 Mealtime: afternoon tea
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Posted by: RealDeal | 2 July 2007, 2.15pm

A refreshing addition to Chinatown: Great tasting food matched with a fun wine list. The Shanghai dumplings accompanied with vinegar and tangy ginger were the best we tasted in months! The vegetarian budha dumplings surprised the meatlovers at our tables with their great flavour. A great idea, absolutely!

Food:			Visit: Thu 28 June 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: miss piggie | 11 April 2007, 4.20pm

We happened across this restaurant one hungry afternoon while ambling through Chinatown with some Scottish relatives and, many visits later, it's one of my family's favourites.
While the outside looks a little drab, the interior is elegant and comfortable. The atmosphere lends itself to a quiet meal, so for a celebration make sure you bring along some lively companions.
The food caters to everyone (from devout party pie eaters to vegetarians/vegans) and is usually perfectly cooked and prompt. As a vegetarian, I don't think you can go past their (smoked?) eggplant or the spicy fried tofu and the prices are very reasonable for the quality.
The service is attentive without being overwhelming, although it can be difficult to catch the eye of waiting staff when it's super busy.
Last, but certainly not least, the wine list...magnificent!
A very enthusiastic two thumbs up.

Food:			Visit: Wed 11 April 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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