Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar A Restaurant That Still Dazzles
Lucy Liu is a restaurant that continues to go from strength to strength, surely attaining Melbourne restaurant iconic status. The World Loves Melbourne was invited to sample the menu and imbibe the Lucy Liu savvy street food experience. Greeted on arrival we were seated towards the front of the room where one can check out the dining scene buzz, as well as some bar action. This was out third experience at Lucy Liu and it was an absolute pleasure.
This being out third visit we were highly impressed by the continuing high standard, a menu that hits the high notes with big flavours and playfulness, as well as top levels of service and an atmosphere of "conviviality central". This was the place to be on a packed Friday lunchtime. A glass of Pommery on arrival was the perfect start.
Enjoy a buzz on a Friday? Somewhere with atmosphere to take your client or friend? Or lover? Lucy Liu continues to delight.
Kingfish sashimi with green chili, hot mint and toasted coconut. These flavours! Bold and refreshing and so damn delicious. One of the best kingfish dishes in Melbourne?
After a harrowing morning in the office you need a pick me up like Fresh Betel Leaf with tuna, spring onion, soy and ginger. A generous serving for a betel leaf bite sized dish; it took me two bites when it's supposed to be one bite, right? Silly me. "Unco" from the "get go".
Each dish is also a work of art with top notch presentation and a vibrancy.
Decent Chardonnay with these big flavour Asian dishes doesn't go astray.
Soft-shelled crab "JIANBING" PANCAKE ROLL with spicy hoi sin is a chart topper. May well this dish be emboldened in capitals in the menu, as it is surely one of Melbourne's iconic dishes. Even addictive. It's a crispy triumph! I would break out of the office from a Performance Review meeting or strategy meeting just for this; in fact I would dream of this dish while in business meetings.
Time for Pinot Noir...
Melbourne has a love affair with dumplings and Lucy Liu delivers on this front. The Sui Mai Prawn Dumplings with red vinegar chili oil were spot on with excellent texture of the dumpling casing and loads of flavour.
Every dish we imbibed was a signature. Crispy Pork Bun with spicy kimchi and kewpie mayo was a wonderful indulgence. Who wants a boring lunch when you can enjoy these big Asian flavours?
Service was engaging and excellent throughout - in fact exceeded expectations.
Already happy and satiated we were treated to a large plate signature of Crispy Fried Sichuan Duck with watercress salad and tamarind sesame dressing. Perfectly cooked duck with the crispy skin we long for and dream of. And a generous portion to boot.
Stir fried Asian greens was a highlight in itself.
Not to mention the refreshing Green Papaya Salad with beans, also a stunning dish in itself, let alone pairing with a main course dish.
Dessert also hit the high notes with Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream with fried Chinese donut. A few "ooh's" and "ah's" on this one. Sweet decadence.
Coffee and a little something liqueur for the road was the perfect end to our soiree at Lucy Liu.
Lucy Liu is a refreshing and vibrant restaurant that delivers for those who want big flavours and a dose of playfulness. Highly recommended.