Sea Treasure - Willoughby Road Crows Nest
There is always an air of expectation, excitement and anticipation when visiting a restaurant that has received a coveted SMH Good Eating Guide Chef's Hat.
While I suspect the Chef's hat was awarded for the a-la carte menu, I thought the Yum-Cha offerings would reflect the quality found in dishes served later in the evening. The layout doesn't exactly lend itself to efficient delivery of yum-cha treats and the waiters are made to earn every penny by carrying around piping hot bamboo pots by the half dozen, rather than wheeling around traditional trolleys you will find in Chinatown.
It is a good idea to get into Sea Treasure at 12 or just after as the restaurant quickly fills. Parking on the street is almost impossible to find but close by is a council car park which will give you two hours free parking, enough time for a sumptuous yum-cha lunch.
About 15 minutes into our meal we are already sampling our favourite yum-cha delights. I could taste the freshness of each dish and without a doubt it was as delicious as any yum-cha restaurant in Sydney. As time goes by though, and each waitress comes around we do notice a lot of the same dishes and our 'No Thanks' quite overwhelmingly outnumbers 'Yes we will take that'. Of course you will find those 'special' dishes significantly ups the final price circulating throughout your meal. After a little while we gave up and opted for some dessert. Mango pancakes, coconut jelly and egg tarts were all available and they did not disappoint.
If you are working in the area, again this would satisfy your yum-cha cravings, but if you are looking for a bit more variety, then Chatwsood is 7-10 minutes away and offers a more complete yum-cha experience. Also at $20 per person, Sea Treasure does come out more expensive than it's North Sydney neighbour, Greenwood, yet it is somewhat more relaxing atmosphere to enjoy lunch. Would I come back, Yes! But not for Yum-Cha rather I would opt for a dinner to see whether the Chef's Hat in my eyes is deserving.
Rating : ***
While I suspect the Chef's hat was awarded for the a-la carte menu, I thought the Yum-Cha offerings would reflect the quality found in dishes served later in the evening. The layout doesn't exactly lend itself to efficient delivery of yum-cha treats and the waiters are made to earn every penny by carrying around piping hot bamboo pots by the half dozen, rather than wheeling around traditional trolleys you will find in Chinatown.
It is a good idea to get into Sea Treasure at 12 or just after as the restaurant quickly fills. Parking on the street is almost impossible to find but close by is a council car park which will give you two hours free parking, enough time for a sumptuous yum-cha lunch.
About 15 minutes into our meal we are already sampling our favourite yum-cha delights. I could taste the freshness of each dish and without a doubt it was as delicious as any yum-cha restaurant in Sydney. As time goes by though, and each waitress comes around we do notice a lot of the same dishes and our 'No Thanks' quite overwhelmingly outnumbers 'Yes we will take that'. Of course you will find those 'special' dishes significantly ups the final price circulating throughout your meal. After a little while we gave up and opted for some dessert. Mango pancakes, coconut jelly and egg tarts were all available and they did not disappoint.
If you are working in the area, again this would satisfy your yum-cha cravings, but if you are looking for a bit more variety, then Chatwsood is 7-10 minutes away and offers a more complete yum-cha experience. Also at $20 per person, Sea Treasure does come out more expensive than it's North Sydney neighbour, Greenwood, yet it is somewhat more relaxing atmosphere to enjoy lunch. Would I come back, Yes! But not for Yum-Cha rather I would opt for a dinner to see whether the Chef's Hat in my eyes is deserving.
Rating : ***
posted by sachman at 4:56 PM
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