|
| |
Mietta's Photos | |
| |
|
Mask of China
Ph: (03) 9662 2116; 115 Little Bourke St, MELBOURNE 3000 www.maskofchina.com.au
Chinese, $$, ** for Food & Ambience
Open Sun-Fri noon-3pm; 7 days 6-1.1pm, Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day; Licensed; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 90, Private rooms 60, 30
Chef Poi Ming Yeung (7-11-07) Owner David Y Wang, Andy Tran & Pui Ming Yeung (7-11-07)
Mietta's Review
Melbourne's only, and one of few in Australia, Chiu Chow restaurant is presided over by Albert Chan, a very professional restaurateur. Good service, good food and a good experience. Matching wine with these slightly unusual Chinese dishes has long been a house speciality.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13/20 "Mask of China specialises in the little-known (in Melbourne anyway) Chiu Chow cuisine. It's been a popular Little Bourke Street dining destination for the past 20 years, with the rather sterilelooking decor not changing much in that time"
The Age Epicure John Lethlean November 29, 2005 Score: 12/20 "Mask of China is no longer the energising experience it is once reputed to have been; enervating, more like it. What should be - at such prices - a fascinating, impressive dining experience is a perplexing, expensive waste of time. The food is pricey ($11.50 for a charcoal-grilled lamb cutlet, for example; $120 or so for a lobster) and so is the wine (pinot noir - surely the great vinous friend of Chinese food - starts about $55 and continues north rapidly; most mark-ups are in line with the city's premier dining rooms)."
The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 15/20, 1 Hat "After almost two decades in competitive Chinatown, Mask of China remains a favourite for good reason: the long-standing wizardry of Yeung Pui Ming in the kitchen, impeccable service, and attention to detail beginning with the first shot of strong tea. Its bland grey carpet, neutral walls and the occasional red feature tile harken back to the days of Hawke and Keating and the tax-deductible lunch."
The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 16/20 Ywo Hats "A RATHER forbidding giant Chinese opera mask guards the entrance to this Little Bourke Street institution. But while the mask's black and white colour scheme symbolises roughness and fierceness, the welcome inside is anything but"
Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "Chiu Chow food is an unknown quantity to most Australians. The food ofthe province is represented at very few restaurants around the country. Melburnians are fortunate to not only find a Chiu Chow specialist slap-bang in the middle ofthe city, but one that marries such fine examples of the cuisine with attractive rooms run in an impressively professional manner."
The Age Good Food Guide 2004 2 hats, score 16/20,wide selection of vegetarain dishes, excellent wine list
The Age, A2, 17/4/04, Matt Preston,'One of Melbourne's best Chinese restaurants,Mask of China offers familiar Cantonese offerings and an extensive list of Chiu Chow dishes...Great service and an impressive wine list that isn't cheap.'
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Red Star, Excellent wine list, Good vegetarian options,'among Chinatown's elite...specialisation in Chiu Chow cuisine.This regional variation of Cantonese cooking is distinguished by its bolder flavours, more pungent spices and finely diced vegetables.Mask of China is also notable for its celler of fine wines and collection of rare teas'
The Herald Sun, Dining out, Stephen Downes 18/6/02, Score 17/20.
The Herald Sun, Weekend, Eat, Bob Hart
The Age, Sundaylife, eatstreets 19/11/2000
Or perhaps ...
Ants Bistro Victoria
There is a wonderful sense of fun that prevails throughout the dining experience at Ants Bistro. Dishes are predominantly Northern Chinese.
Bamboo House Victoria
A restrained and elegant experience is what dining at Bamboo House is all about.
Bokchoy Tang Victoria
A hidden treasure. Great staff and service. The menu offers Chinese food with a difference. Outside terrace for warm weather.
Dahu Peking Duck Restaurant Victoria
A first floor Northern Chinese restaurant overlooking the intersection of Russell and Little Bourke Streets.
Dainty Sichuan Victoria
The accent on chilli marks this place out from its numerous Cantonese neighbours.
Dragon Boat On The Yarra Victoria
Part of the Dragon Boat group near the Casino. Cantonese cuisine.
Dragon Boat Palace Victoria
This Dragon Boat Palace is known for functions, a lot of weddings and also special entertainment evenings.
Dragon Boat Restaurant Victoria
A large city Chinese restaurant which is open for suppers till 2am. It also does a daily yum cha.
Empress of China Victoria
The Empress is the grand old lady of Chinatown. It is famous for incredibly attentive service and consistently good, traditional food.
Flower Drum Victoria
A magnificent production that has now to be saved for a special treat. It's so hard to get a seat at Flower Drum. So plan ahead to enjoy impeccable service, food and Cantonese style.
Kim Sing Victoria
Ling Nan Restaurant Victoria
Seafood is the speciality in this Cantonese cafe that's open until 3am. Big Chinese clientele.
Mask of China Victoria
Melbourne's only, and one of few in Australia, Chiu Chow restaurant is presided over bythe very professional Albert Chan.
Oriental Bistro Victoria
Pepper Chilli Victoria
Good Northern Chinese and Cantonese cuisine an a well run femine dining room. The restaurant is on the first floor.
Post Deng Cafe Victoria
Stripped bluestone walls is not the norm in Little Bourke St, nor are Post Deng's Sezchuan dishes.
Post-Mao Cafe Victoria
Shark Fin House Victoria
A busy place for Yum Cha, queues, at the door and around the lift to get to one of the three levels of dining. The quality and variety of the yum cha selection is excellent.
Shark Fin Inn Victoria
A long-standing favourite of the industry for supper. Most regulars do not consult the menu but ask Vanessa what are the best dishes.
Teahouse At Chinatown Victoria
Another of Lawrence Tse's excellent Tea Houses. Good Food, fine service and an excellent wine list.
Westlake Victoria
A convenient place to meet and eat something quick in the centre of Chinatown.