the foodies club

Review: Billy Kwong April 2009

8 of us booked the large table for Billy Kwong at 8.30pm on a Thursday night.  Kylie was in the restaurant when I arrived, but left before the rest of the group showed, much to Krista’s disappointment. The table was ready for us straight away and the staff were attentive but didn’t rush us as we waited for everyone to arrive.

Photo by Ian Wallace

Every table in the restaurant was occupied and there was a definite buzz about the place. It is small, it is cramped, and the chairs are uncomfortable, but none of that really mattered as we were there for the food and it did not disappoint.

Foods Tried

We ordered 3 double sized entrees and 5 mains to share between the eight of us, which allowed us all to sample a great range of Billy kwonng’s dishes:

• Steamed Prawn Wontons with Organic Brown Rice Vinegar Dressing
• Homestyle Fried Biodynamic Eggs with Organic Soy & Homemade XO
• Sung Choi Bao of Pork, Ginger & Mushrooms
• Deep-Fried Silken Tofu with Caramelised Organic Tomatoes & Organic Garlic
• Red-Braised, Caramelised Organic Pork Belly with Chinese Coleslaw
• Sichuan Pepper Biodynamic Beef with Roasted Organic Tomato & Watercress Salad
• Special: The Crispy Duck with blood plum sauce
• Special: Cod (we can’t quite remember what was in it)

Favourite Foods

The favorites amongst our group were pretty much unanimous: The Crispy Duck and the Pork Belly were our favorites. The homestyle eggs also scored highly with most people.

Most memorable flavours

Some of us were still tasting the pork belly the next day (in a good way!) and along with the excellent Duck with the blood plum sauce, they were the standouts that I wouldn’t hesitate to go back again and again for!

Ratings

Atmosphere

All of us commented on how dark and cramped it was.  The chairs were also singled out as fairly uncomfortable, I think this is tactic to ensure two sittings every night.

“Was a bit crowded and I had to squeeze through another diners table to get to toilets.”

Most of us struggled to even read the menu and I think one Foodie summed it up pretty well:

“Have they not paid the electricity bill? A candle or one of those flashlights you attach to your head would have been helpful for reading the menu”

However the lack of light was useful for some of us,

“ no one can see your bad chop stick action in the dark”

Service

Service was pleasant, efficient and helpful. We were advised as to which dishes would be good for sharing and therefore provide better value for money. All the dishes came out on time and in order, there were no issues with rice coming halfway through the meal as previously mentioned in other reviews.

Food presentation

It was pretty hard to see, but in the dark the food looked good.

Food quality

Excellent

Food taste

Yum, mmm, excellent, fantastic. The pork belly was a hit with everyone:

“The beautiful layers of fat & meat with a crispy crust on top of the pork belly… the cut (small cubicles) may also help provide consistent flavour on each bite!”

as was the crispy duck with the Blood plum sauce:

“salty, sweet, fragrant and brilliant colour.”

Overall Rating: 3.96/5