PROFILED BY DE GROOTRS MEDIANew Farm attracts a wide variety of people, from the hip and retro to the upwardly mobile with their fast cars and expensive suits. Merthyr Road attracts more of the latter than the former and adjacent to the boutiques and shops are a few good cafes and restaurants, including Big Fortune. It has been part of Merthyr Road for almost 12 years now and is a family-run affair serving mostly Chinese dishes with a few favourites (such as tom yum soup) thrown in from neighbouring Asian nations. Boasting a relaxed atmosphere, Big Fortune has recently extended its premises to include a trendy new bar; a great spot to linger over a drink before dinner.
Fortune smiles upon anyone in the area feeling peckish around lunchtime as Big Fortune serves a not-so-traditional yum cha from 11am to 3pm everyday, where patrons choose from a menu rather than a cart. The dinner menu is extensive and includes many traditional Chinese dishes. Popular options include the salt and pepper squid, or soups such wonton or long soup. The shredded beef in Peking sauce is one popular option and they do a mean Peking duck served in one or two courses according to your preference. Seat indoors is at round tables or outdoors under the stars.
Meagan Hepworth, June 2007
