So here we have a great looking venue with high ceilings, spaced out tables, lounges and performance stage. I took friends from Sydney here the other night to try the Laksa special. They didn’t order the Laksa but were enamoured with the decor and atmosphere and talked about how it could be a great wedding reception venue (note: it wasn’t busy).

1. Service was prompt but like I say, it wasn’t busy.
2. Laksa: it was as expected good tasting but of an average size portion with barely any chicken. A few shavings here and there. I ordered a bowl of rice to go with the Laksa to fill the gaps.

I won’t say I was disappointed because this is exactly what I had expected. If I was looking for what I call an authentic full combination Laksa filled to the brim with chicken, pork, seafood, combination noodle, etc… I would have gone to a place that is typically more cramped, with more Asian soup offerings and waited by Asian staff.

Overall, a great venue to have a relaxed meal with friends over drinks.

Jetsetting Joyce

Welcome to the blog and thanks for your comment. Maybe things have improved since my visit – well priced and fun I agree but on my visit the service and the flavours were a bit lacking. With so many dining options in the near vicinity, Rice Queen just doesn’t come to mind again for a revisit. I’m glad that you had a good time there!

Jetsetting Joyce

I’ve had people say that I’ve been too harsh with some of my reviews before, but I think like you I am willing to overlook certain failings if it is really delicious food or really cheap. While the servings of our $15 mains were quite generous, none of the dishes were well-cooked enough to justify me going back, or recommending it to others. I’m guessing that the funky decor and ambience means that many people are willing to overlook these issues, as the place was pumping when we were dining.

Jetsetting Joyce

Most of our dishes were really lacking in flavour, and their attempt to be so pan-Asian meant none of the dishes married each other very well.

Service was also excruciatingly slow and none of the dishes arrived at the same time.

I also actually thought it was a bit over priced, too. $15 mains is OK (though the servings were fairly modest, but then I’m a big eater), but the entrees weren’t much cheaper and were quite small, and drinks were pretty pricey.

I think the idea is solid — pub style service, Asian tapas — but they need more flavoursome food with a more defined taste, much faster service, and either bigger servings or, preferably, far more of the $6ish starters.

Or even just one of those things; if it was SUPER tasty, SUPER speedy, or SUPER cheap, I’d probably overlook the other falling points. But as it is, they’re just mediocre on all fronts, which doesn’t cut it up against so much good, cheap Asian fare on Smith St.
.-= Ruth´s last blog ..Lunch at Charcoal Lane in Fitzroy: pumpkin gnocchi, yam… =-.