Bamboo House

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 9

A restrained and elegant experience is what dining at Bamboo House is all about. Owner Alex Tseng has created a formal ambience with discreet amounts of Asian style; a perfect situation for business meetings and subdued conversations.

But when the pot-stickers arrive (pan-fried Shanghai dumplings) conversation becomes irrelevant. And the spring onion cakes must be Melbourne's best. Greed prevails, you eat too fast. Let yourself be soothed by Lions Head dumplings in soup or watch the excellent presentation of Peking duck. For Kate McG it's the warm oysters, chilli calamari and (of course) the onion pancakes which "are to die for".

Alex Tseng is a careful host, his flower arrangements are always impeccable, but sometimes the welcome is not as warm as folks would like. There have been complaints about impersonal, dour service. Judge for yourself, but in the meantime enjoy the food and being able to talk quietly and discreetly. A favourite haunt for politicians, close to parliament and close to the (Liberal's) office after policy meetings.

47 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne
Chinese Cuisine
Melways reference 1B:U4
Phone: 9662 2259
Opening hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 12 noon-3pm. Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm, Sunday 5.30pm-10pm
Licensed
Accept credit cards
Seating inside: 150
Closed: Lunches on public holidays
Features: Kids encouraged, private rooms seat 12 and 40
Favourites: Dry fried beef $18.50, Peking duck $48.00, Pan fried dumplings $8.40

*An updated review can be found in Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Australia 2000, pg71