LOCATIONThe Potsticker sits on the corner of Hawthorn and Inkerman Roads in Caulfield North.
DETAILSThe restaurant’s interior looks almost as good as the plates of gourmet art coming out of the kitchen. Sleek, dark wood finishes, high ceilings and glossy timber floorboards combine well with the diffused bronze lighting to create an intimate and inviting ambiance. Tranquil Chinese music plays softly in the background, harmonising with the sound of bubbling water and the humming chatter of enthusiastic diners to give The Potsticker its own intangible energy.
FUNCTIONSThe attentive and courteous staff at Potsticker will be more than happy to play host for your next corporate function or private celebration. The restaurant can cater for up to 85 guests and menus can be altered to suit any occasion.
FOOD & BEVERAGESThe restaurant offers an Asian fusion menu comprised of an amalgamation of flavoursome Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisine. The Potsticker boasts a comprehensive wine list comprised of local and international drops that range in price from an affordable $20 bottle of red to a premium $3500 magnum of Penfolds Grange.
Personal Statement
The first thing that grabs your attention upon entering the restaurant is the central water feature, a rectangular pond with two flowing water fountains that bracket a neon cherry blossom tree with fibre optic lights in place of flower buds. The centrepiece glows a vibrant magenta hue and perfectly reflects The Potsticker’s menu – taking the best of traditional Asia and injecting contemporary facets to elevate the cuisine to another level of fine dining.
The Potsticker’s cuisine can be described as Asian fusion at its best. Owner and operator Eric Wong takes classic cooking techniques, ingredients and flavour combinations from traditional Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian dishes, and then adds a dash of modern flair.
In terms of entrees, the steamed prawn dumplings are simply exquisite.
Spinach juice is incorporated with the dumpling batter to create an iridescent green colour and also takes the dish to another dimension with depth of flavour. The restaurant’s signature pan fried beef potsticker dumplings are alsodelicious and packed with perfect piquancy.
The dumpling’s single fried side adds a pleasing crunchy texture and the beef is not only tasty but exceptionally tender.
Aside from the range of tempting dumplings on offer, another well-balanceddish of note is the pan seared beef tenderloin smothered in sesame sauce and served on a fresh mango cheek. The sweet citrus tang of the mango efficiently cuts through the creamy sesame-based sauce and the tenderloin lives up to its name, practically melting in your mouth.
If fresh seafood is your weakness then the XO chilli prawns are sure to satisfy your tastebuds. The perfectly cooked prawns are coated in an aromatic and spicy homemade XO sauce. The seafood fried rice has a well-rounded earthy flavour and is topped with The Potsticker’s own mayonnaise mix and garnished with glistening red roe.
When deciding on dessert at an Asian restaurant, it’s hard to go past the old favourite of banana fritters but The Potsticker’s offering has a subtle point of difference with its barley sugar tempura batter. The fritters are delectably crispy on the outside with ripe, gooey banana on the inside and are covered in a sticky honey glaze and served with vanilla ice-cream.
So, if you’re after fresh, high quality Asian food with an abundance of flavour and immaculate presentation, then pop down to The Potsticker in Caulfield North and put it to the test.
Zoe Cotsis