“Yes, it was busy, but the service was truly disappointing and totally detracted from the experience. Am not sure what else to say…” Gobsmacked WENDY JOHNSON reviews chaos at Yum Cha @ CBD.
YUM Cha @ CBD was pumping when we arrived. We were whisked to a table for two and within seconds were slowly sipping on gorgeous cups of Jasmine tea. It was the most relaxing part of the meal (read on).
The menu is extensive and Yum Cha @ CBD has a wide range of dumplings, steamed and fried.
We began with the steamed prawn and chive dumplings which were amazing ($8.80 for three). The ingredients, finely chopped, were heaven in a parcel – a soft, silky parcel.
While it was challenging to choose, we were thrilled we selected the lobster dumplings (same price), fried but not overly so and, once more, loaded with flavour.
Also from the fried dish section of the menu, we chose squid tentacles with salt and pepper ($9.80). They were piping hot and the squid soft and tender. The dish lacked seasoning, however.
Wanting a veggie vitamin hit, we ordered the Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce ($9.80). This vibrant green dish was a feast for the eyes and the broccoli cooked to perfection.
We craved one of the signature dishes, beef shank with five-spice herbs, but it wasn’t available so we went for the roast duck ($16.80). The dish lacked flavour overall. Some slices of meat were dry, some stringy and some tough. Sigh.
The service was chaotic from start to finish. We couldn’t get anyone’s attention once tea was served and so got up to enquire at the bar. Staff at the bar took our order but it somehow got lost in the system. A serious waiting game began.
When ordering food at the bar we also placed an order for wine. After testing our patience to the max, we got up to visit the bar again and asked where the wine was. It eventually arrived and wasn’t a bad drop for $42 (Pennon Hill Pinot Gris 2021, Montalto, Mornington Peninsula).
While we continued to wait, two tables around us arrived, were served, paid and departed. We got up to enquire, and then enquire again and once more before our food began to slowly show up. We ordered at 12.45pm and only one set of dumplings had arrived by 1.20pm. By now we were starving.
It was great to see the food arrive but we had to get up to flag someone down to ask for bowls so we could eat.
Yum Cha @ CBD has dining outside on the street front, a large dining area in the main part of the restaurant and another section out the back. Yes, it was busy, but the service was truly disappointing and totally detracted from the experience. Am not sure what else to say…
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