Sichuan Dining Room

Mid City Arcade, 200 Bourke St, Melbourne. (03) 9663 5472
Score: 24/40
I first wandered into this place around a year ago after reading a fantastic review and seeing some great pics on the website of That Jess Ho.  And it’s now a firm, reliable favourite.

I’ve now been to Sichuan Dining Room enough times to sample quite a few things on the menu. But here are my two favourites.

The pork and salted pickled cabbage noodle soup ($9) is fabulous but not for the faint-hearted. Large strips of fat adorn these plump pieces of tender meat. The noodles are delicious and the cabbage adds a wonderful saltiness to the taste. Gorgeous.

The other favourite of mine here is the fish-flavoured eggplant with minced pork ($9). The eggplant is stewed to absolute perfection and so ridiculously tender. It is served with rice and is so more-ish I finish it every time.

This place is cheap, cheerful and parked a little bit out of the way so it’s usually relatively easy to get a table.

Atmosphere: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for money: 6/10
Food: 6/10