Madame Fu's

LOCATION
New Farm

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Chef-owner Murray Williams of Ciao Baby fame opened this little diner to a warm reception in 2005. Madame Fu’s does the mod-Asian thing with a casual sense of style, the long, narrow space lit with egg-shaped lanterns and watched over by a serene golden Buddha.

The pan-Asian menu offers a few surprises; this is interesting, occasionally innovative food that has authentic Asian flavours down pat. Most dishes are available either as entrees or mains so there’s plenty of freedom to sample a range of small dishes if you wish. While salt and pepper king prawns with lime chilli and garlic butter, or barbecued Chinese duck with bok choy and hoisin are reliable stand-bys, there’s much to offer the slightly more adventurous diner here. Grilled quail with sauteed sour apple, cucumber and mint, or seared scallops with crisp pig’s ear, sweet carrot and daikon are among the offerings. Order a side of oyster sauce tossed greens or fried rice with Peking duck skin for good measure. Desserts include palm sugar pannacotta with honeycomb, and the very indulgent chocolate volcano with vanilla ice-cream. A brief, but very Asian-compatible wine list is available.

Fiona Davies