Billy Kwong Chinese Eating House
| Favourite: | 50% say it is one of their favourite businesses. |
| Value: | 0% say they get great value for money here. |
| Service: | 0% say the customer service is something special. |
Location
Reviews
Superb food, but Good Lord the nonsense involved in getting in!
This is, as many others will tell you, some of the best chinese food you'll ever eat in your life, at least in Australia anyway: incredible braised beef with black bean, gorgeous duck etc.
But getting a table in a hassle-free way is so painful that sometimes you have to wonder if it's worth it. Almost any night of the year, you need to be there by about 6pm (and who can do that?) to have any chance of getting on a waitlist (never mind a table) for anytime that night. Even then, that's no guarantee you'll be seated close to the time you've been indicated.
And once you are seated, odds are high much of the best stuff will have been ordered into oblivion already, anyway.
Simply put, the place is too small for its quality and popularity, too often understocked with its dishes, and in all, a bit too precious for its own good.
A shame. Because, good Lord that food is good. At least it was, the one time I managed to breach security back in 1763 and actually get a table!
Chinese new year banquet every night
Billy Kwong has some fantastic food feng shui. It's all about the freshness. She is like Alice Waters for Chinese. Who knew it could be so healthy? One downside is that they don't take reservations so you just have to get there early and hope. I also understand that the restaurant is pulling out all the stops for a Chinese New Year's banquet, but it's pretty great every night.
Succulent if you can get in...!
The names says it all really - Bill Granger and Kylie Kwong. How could you not get some quality, unique tastes in this joint!
Yes, but the big question is...can you get in?! The big thing in Sydney restaurants is a "no booking policy". So you end up going across the road for a few beers, and then have a few more and by the time you get a call that your table is ready, you're too sloshed to taste the really great food! So, you go back for a sober taste at another time...that may be their ploy?! If it is, it's working. A must to see, and enjoy.
The food makes it all worth it
Yes, getting in is a major hassle. And yes, it's super-crowded, and noisy, and the seats aren't that comfortable. But, wow is the food good. It is one of the VERY few (I count them on one hand) pricey restaurants in Sydney that I think is worth every penny. So get there early (start to queue before 5:45 if you want to get in at first seating) or be settle in at the Dolphin across the road while you want; either way, it's worth it.
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