Tingha Palace - Blacktown Workers Club

LOCATION
At the Blacktown Workers Club, in Sydney’s western suburbs.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
A club in the middle of Blacktown may seem like an unlikely place for a palace, but venture into the belly of the Blacktown Worker’s Club and you will find yourself at one – that is the resident Chinese restaurant, Tingha Palace. Hidden in a corner of the club behind wooden screens, the modestly-sized Tingha Palace does not look like a typical royal residence. There are no crystal chandeliers, no servants and no throne, and rather than a courtyard guests are treated to views over the neighbouring car park. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that this place has been misnamed – it hasn’t. Its moody decor and very affordable (and comprehensive) menu give it plenty of reason for airs. Decked out in maroon tones with gold and wooden elements offering a touch of stateliness and veiled curtains adding a touch of softness (and helping to drown out the car park), what first appears to be a humble restaurant grows in palatial proportions as you ease into your meal.

The menu, for one, seems to have been designed for a king – a fussy one. It swings through several categories – hotpot, prawns, fish, calamari, chicken, duck, pork, beef, fooyong (omelette), sweet and sour, vegetable and chow mein to reveal a truly grand selection of dishes. Start off with an entree like five spice calamari or the house special of sang choy bow before you move onto mains. In this category specialities include Soo Chow scallops. These are stuffed with prawn mince then pan fried and served with crab meat sauce. Although you may prefer the sizzling goodness of the Mongolian garlic lamb or the sizzling beef and chicken in black pepper. Tingha Palace also does a crown-worthy Peking duck and has some fantastic (and very affordable) banquet options.

Agnes Gajewska