David's in Prahran is a Melbourne institution and the occasion of many a fine dining memory. Come here for Chinese cuisine, with heartfelt connection to owner David Zhou's life in Shanghai. Business entrepreneur and dumpling master David Zhou is taking Melbournians on a food adventure exploring regions further afield from Shanghai, called ʻBeyond the Bundʼ. What is the Bund? The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Dongyi Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. David is taking us beyond symbolic and typical Shanghai cuisine into new experiences.
David is giving his loyal customers even more to smile in November with this World Dinner Feast as part of the Good Food Month. And we were at David's as guests to sample the menu.
Under his watchful eye, David and his team have curated a delightful dining event at the restaurant that takes his name. ʻBeyond the Bundʼ promises to be an evening filled with subtle and delectable flavours from Davidʼs own cuisine repertoire for $45 per person. The delicious sensations have also been coupled with wines to enhance and compliment Davidʼs fine food for $65 per person.
In the spirit of sharing, the offerings have been selected to show the variety that China has to offer. In traditional Chinese cuisine flavours change from region to region as one travels throughout the country. David has emulated these delicious contrasts through his menu choices.
From the eastern coastal province of Jiang Su comes the Lion Head, a sumptuous pork and chestnut meatball concoction in a delicate chicken broth.
To represent Shanghai, customers can indulge in the newly crafted crunchy prawn clusters, satisfyingly crisp parcels with a melted butter center. I found these to be particularly indulgent with a creamy prawn hit!
Beyond the Bund comes with matching beverages including this refreshing beer.
Another seafood offering is the Crispy flash fried whiting, smoked on luxuriant caramelised leek. This was the highlight for me as I enjoyed the crispy crunch - and helped myself to a pile of these whiting. They also had some kick which added to the experience.
Davidʼs also served a thinly sliced crispy beef dish accentuated with orange peel that is distinct and very palatable, a specialty from Hunan, located in the south central part of the Chinese mainland. Another highlight - with the beef and orange complementing perfectly.
Staff are funky and engaging...
To finish off the World Dinner, Davidʼs prepared a classic hot favourite from Sichuan,
wok fried Chinese cabbage with dried chilies.
David's then treated us to a plethora of desserts, all interesting tastes and textures.
Personally I enjoy them all but the Chocolate dumplings get me every time - so delectable.
In true David's style, the offerings from the kitchen are hand prepared, using only the freshest and finest quality ingredients. When diners walk into David's for the World Dinner event, they will eat and celebrate as a Shanghai local does, authentic, fast-paced and bustling with flavour. This is Chinese food with sophistication and different flavours to the usual. Highly recommended.
