Now I owe The Jet-setter an apology. She wanted to go to this restaurant before I had tried it, and in my indecisive flimsyness I suggested somewhere else. Stupid past-self. Now I have been; come close dear readers, for I am about to share with you a gem of a restaurant. Sure Australia has some rockin' Asian food, some cheap and cheerful, others ritzy, but this place has an intangible magic about it that makes it one of my absolute favourites.
Blue eye dragon is located behind The Star casino on Pyrmont St. nestled in an old school hall next to a quaint little church. A huge iron dragon guards the entrance to a very sparse looking concrete courtyard that has pieces of naturally formed, expensive looking furniture that give the place a very Zen feel. A door to the left opens up into the cavernous dining room that still contains the 'stage' from the buildings days as a school. Diners up here are subtly screened so they need not worry about their eating habits being on display, so feast away!
The tables are white-clothed topped with large sheets of paper, and the delicate light provides intimacy without making the menu difficult to read. Now a note about the staff; they are brilliant! The restaurant owner greets every new table at the door with a huge grin. He warmly seats you and explains how the menu works. There is the straight up a la carte delio, or of there are four of you in your party you can order the banquet. If you are lucky enough to be in the latter situation, DO IT! At $50 per person you get to choose 6 entrees and 4 mains. Yep, ten courses! While these dishes are designed for sharing they certainly aren't tapas sized. My family, the one full of chefs, had to take the last dish home. We simply couldn't fit anything more! And we are well trained in the multi-course marathon. For shame!
You could choose dishes like the fried chicken with five spice salt, or the pork mince filled tofu. You must get the beef shin; don't argue with me! Queensland scallops in house XO sauce, slightly spicy with the right balance of sour and salty without overpowering the delicate meat of the shellfish. You all know I am a huge fan of belly pork, so the slow cooked version in an awesome salty broth is always on my 'must order' list. The beef fillet is also on there. Now I realise this isn't Taiwanese cuisine in the authentic sense, it has most definately been re-styled for the western clienelle but they have done a nice job of it. Kept the flavours we love but ditched the blood jellies and chicken feet. Go, you know you can't stay away now you have read about it.
http://www.blueeyedragon.com.au/pc.php
