DETAILS
There is a harmonious almost Taoist philosophy that pervades Chefs Gallery Town Hall. Perched near the corner of George and Bathurst Streets around the corner from the cinema belt, Chefs Gallery is a unique Chinese dining adventure. From the muted hues and finishes of its interior to the elegant displays of Chinese antiquities, there is an underlying subdued and sublime aesthetic.
But this serenity veils the industrious energy in its three special kitchens that produces Chefs Gallery’s exceptional, hand-made food. The menu presents masterpieces from all corners of China in a sumptuous kaleidoscopic explosion of fresh and exciting flavours, textures and aromas.
The signature Chefs Gallery fresh, handmade noodles take centre stage behind the glass-walled kitchen. Patrons can watch the culinary theatre as balls of special noodle dough are transformed to form the finished twists of delicate noodles, in a blur of dexterous hand movements by the master noodle chef. From traditional noodles to new flavours like spinach and squid ink, these silken strands are all freshly prepared, being pulled, split and folded in minutes and cooked specifically to your order.
Chefs Gallery embraces the Chinese cultural heritage of sharing meals – where dining is casual in its structure with no designated entrees or main courses. Instead, the Chapas ('tapas style' Chinese) offers an extensive range of creative dishes with a modern twist that are specially prepared in delicious small portions for sampling and sharing with family and friends. Among these are some traditional and familiar dishes that have also been given the Chefs Gallery Chapas treatment.
Chefs Gallery draws on the four traditional Chinese schools of cuisine: Lu (Shandong) Yang (Su) Yue (Guangdong/Cantonese) Chuan (Sichuan) with more than a nod to the influences of Peng Zu, Yuan Mei and Yi Yin, the ancient founders and legends of the traditions and subtle nuances of true Chinese dishes and culinary ceremony. Each menu item adheres to the yin and yang of dedicated cooking methods, combined with the meticulous selection of produce to bring you memorable dishes.
PROFILE BY BEST RESTAURANTS
Fifty years ago in Australia, Chinese food consisted of deep-fried honey chicken, sweet-and-sour pork and a bowl of fried rice. Despite Australia’s large Chinese population, due to the goldrushes in the 1850’s and 1860’s, it has only been in the past couple of decades when ideas of what Chinese food can be have expanded. Forging this way is Chefs Gallery, which, due to its popularity, now has restaurants all across Sydney.
Not only has the modern Chinese menu had an upgrade, Chinese-influenced artwork will now hang on Chefs Gallery restaurants at Town Hall in the City, Macquarie Centre at North Ryde and the new Little Saigon Plaza in Bankstown.
Chefs Gallery has established a reputation for its modern, and sometimes cheeky, interpretation of Chinese cuisine. Their handmade noodles are a star attraction and not just on the menu. Behind glass windows, the chefs roll, swing and swirl noodles in front of customers, creating a multi-sensory theatrical experience. Now, the chefs will have to vie for attention as the artistry is not only on the plate and in the kitchen, but also the surrounding the walls. Sourced by Art Atrium gallery director Simon Chan, the displayed artwork – including paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics – will all be for sale.
Anna Lisle