An Early Taste of Asia at Sydney’s Palace Chinese Restaurant

When you’re seeing an early show in Sydney, it can be difficult to avoid the fast food trap. Most restaurants don’t start service until 6 pm, so if your concert begins at 7 you can easily be left with indigestion! So I was pretty happy when I stumbled across The Palace Chinese Restaurant, tucked away in the Piccadilly Tower, last Friday. The restaurant doesn’t only offer an early meal; it offers a good one.

My mother and I arrived at around 5:30, but already tables were filling up. Such early patronage was enough to inspire confidence, as was the very tempting and exhaustive menu. There were so many choices but we settled on some old favourites.

My salt and pepper combo plate was piled high with squid and prawns done in the lightest of batters. The bite of the salt and pepper blend was delicate, and the seafood as fresh as you could hope for. My mother raved about her Mongolian lamb, with meat so tender you could cut it with a spoon. I’m not generally a fan of the dish, but even I had to admit that it was pretty good.

The staff were friendly without being intrusive, always on hand to refill our glasses of wine or tease me about the seafood I reluctantly had to leave. I regretted not being able to finish, but in a city that favours tiny gourmet portions I was thrilled to be satisfied.

Next time I’m seeing a show at the nearby State Theatre I’ll definitely remember to stop by The Palace Chinese Restaurant. It was so nice to be treated to a delicious meal and to have enough time to really enjoy it.

Trading hours: Yum Cha on weekdays from 11 am to 3 pm and weekends from 10:30 am to 3 pm, dinner from 5 pm til late
Location: Level 1, Piccadilly Tower (map)
Address: 133-145 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Public transport: Catch the monorail to the Galeries Victoria stop
Parking: Park in the Hilton Hotel for discounted diner parking rate of $7
Cost: Average meal costs between $35 and $40 for an entrée and main
Website: http://www.palacechinese.com.au/

Image source: Penny Matthews @ Stock.xchng