Silk Road

Posted by: soulgirl | 4 July 2009, 4.09pm

Living quite close to the Silk Road, we started to feeling guilty that we had never been. The menu in the window had not been overly inviting - probably, hence why we hadn't been - but we decided that we shouldn't judge so quickly and give it a go.

We went for a Saturday evening meal, arriving about 7PM. It was about a third full and the small bar by the front door was very well sticked with exotic tipples such as Tia Maria, Dubonet and Grand Marnier.

The overall decore was a little tired, with the odd cobweb in the window corners and curtain material that could do with being replaced. But the first 'oh dear' moment was seeing a school-room looking white board showing 'Specials'; 'Whiting' and 'Sizzled Steak'. Those were the only four words on it.

But we still decided not to be so judgmental so quickly - we have been to some awful looking joints what have staggered us with fantastic tasting food - and the staff seemed friendly enough. The Silk Road is a family outfit, with Dad cooking and Mum and the kids serving.

The menu was not the most exciting menu in the world, with the standard list of King Prawns, Beef, Lamb, Veggie etc..., done in the standard list of Chinese ways.

For starters, I went for 'Mermaids Tresses' and my wife, Curry puffs. I really just went for the least unexciting option; and i had never heard of 'Mermaids Tresses'. My tresses came first, a small plate of crispy chopped chinese parsley with half a dozen glazed walnut halfs shrimp powder and a small mound of julienned carrot. It was ok, nothing special; edible but certainly not a tastebud tickler nor eye-candy. About 5 minutes after I finished my tresses, the puffs came out - two small pastry triangles with veggie filling and the small mound of julienned carrot. The puffs were ok - could of done with being in the frier 30 seconds longer - but again, nothing to write home about.

After the starter plates were taken, we had a 10-15 minute wait for mains (again, mine came about 5 minutes before my Wifes). I have the Crispy Skin Chicken and my wife the Szechuan King Prawns. On ordering, the waitress asked if we wanted rice; boiled or fried? We went for single boiled rice between us.

My Crispy Skin Chicken, was almost just that. 1/4 Chicken, with slightly crispy skin and cut into 1cm slices; with the little mound of, now familier, julienned carrot. That was it. That was all that was on the plate. I waited for 5 minutes to see if my wifes king prawns (and the rice) came; but not wanting my chicken to get cold dug in. Not unpleasant. Very slightly dry, but not unpleasant. It just didnt have any other flavour - it was chicken with a crispy skin.

Then the rice and my wifes King Prawns came. The rice was over done (quite a bit over done) and my wifes Szechuan King Prawns were 5 largeish prawns in a sauce of chopped capsicum and onions in a sauce that seemed a bit out-of-a-tin.

For dessert, my wife had deep fried Ice Cream; which, after the starters/main, was suprisingly good! A pleasant ice-cream done in a good batter and deep-fried perfectly.

I had a 'vsop' brandy but, before i could say NOOO!, they had heated the glass with boiling water before pouring the brandy in. Oh, such a crime! The glass/brandy should be warmed slowly using your hand; not a boiling hot glass!

Prices were reasonable; starters about $6 and mains $20.

Food:			Visit: Sat 4 July 2009
Service:
Atmosphere: