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Idea Fine Food & Wine

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Situated in the heart of Chinatown on Melbourne's Little Bourke Street sits Idea Fine Food and Wine, a modern Asian eatery resulting from a collaboration between William Lee and Paul Chan, who manage and cook respectively. The decor is sleek and stylish with a strong oriental feel, as one would expect in a restaurant of this kind, however the menu, which includes many classic dishes, is where the real surprise is with a big focus on wines. In fact, most dishes have a suggested wine match, making this Asian eatery quite unique.

From the chef's specialties menu start with an entree of spicy baby octopus salad, served warm, comprising baby octopus with chilli, ginger and five spice, and a glass of French rose. Or perhaps the pan-fried pork dumplings with a glass of semillon sauvignon from Western Australia. Follow with a main of Idea Peking duck: slices of crispy skin and tender duck meat encased in delicate crepes with spring onion, cucumber and preserved pickles, with a side of plum sauce and a glass of locally made pinot noir. Banquet menus are an extremely popular option and an excellent way to sample Chan's cuisine, available with or without matching wines. The wine list is extensive with excellent value offerings from all over the world.

 

Veda Wickens, October 2006