Shark Fin HousePh: (03) 9663 1555 ; 131 Little Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 www.sharkfin.com.auChinese, $$ -, * for Food Open 11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 11pm; weekends & public holidays, 11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 11pm; Licensed; AE DC BC MC V, Seats inside 380, Private room 60 |
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Mietta's Review
A busy place for Yum Cha, queues, mainly Asian, 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. Owner chef John To has trained many of Melbourne's Yum Cha chefs and here he has many of them working round the clock. At night the restaurant is a bit quieter and the service less hectic. There is a big a la carte menu (predominantly Cantonese) with live seafood available, more in the Hong Kong style and with a comprehensive wine list. Also at Shark Fin Inn, 50-52 Little Bourke Street, City, 9662 2681; 155 Burwood Highway, Burwood East, 9866 5777; and 328 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough, 9798 8788.
Other published opinions
The Age Dani Valent, 26-12-2006 "This three-storey restaurant isn't exactly refined but, for such a large food factory, there's plenty that is pleasing. A Christmas tree stands next to Chinese good-luck lions in a heart-warming ecumenical gesture. If regarded with a dose of seasonal spirit, the worn carpet and stained tablecloths seem to speak of consistent, contented trade and cheerful chopstick malfunction, not sloppiness. The service isn't always warm but it's attentive."
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide Best Chinese "For CBD yam cha, it's difficult to go past the extraordinary Shark Fin House where quantity and quality sit surprisingly comfortably with each other."
AGFG 2004, score 13/20
Or perhaps ...
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Shark Fin House (03) 9663 1555, 131 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - 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 (03) 9662 2681, 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A long-standing favourite of the industry for supper. Most regulars do not consult the menu but ask Vanessa what are the best dishes.
Sung's Kitchen (03) 9329 2636, 118 Franklin St, Melbourne
Teahouse At Chinatown (03) 9639 2526, 11 Cohen Pl, Melbourne - Another of Lawrence Tse's excellent Tea Houses. Good Food, fine service and an excellent wine list.
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