Teahouse At Chinatown
(03) 9639 2526, 11 Cohen Pl, Melbourne. VIC 3000 Chinese $$
Open Lunch Sun-Fri noon-3pm Dinner Mon-Thu 6pm-10.30pm Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm Sun 6pm-10pm; Licensed; Cards AE DC MC V, Seats inside 120, Private room
Chef: Ruji Chan, 2007-10-29
Mietta's Review
Lawrence Tse's first Tea House was in Box Hill. The quality was high but business success was not. Next it was Burke Rd, Camberwell. A booming success, Box Hill closed and Tea House at Chinatown began - another great success. His secret, apart from the food, is making a European clientele very comfortable with excellent service, a first class wine list and prices that are cheap by Aussie standards if not by Chinese. Also at 913 Burke Rd, Camberwell, 9882 9088.
Other Published Opinions
Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "With its clandestine location (off the foyer of an apartment building), widely spaced tables and restrained service, Tea House at Chinatown is suited to assignations and expense allowance meals"
Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Atypical of the Chinatown experience, Tea House marches to the beat of its own drum. Tucked away from the spruiker-dotted main thoroughfare down an alleyway opposite the Chinese Museum, the entrance is hidden in an apartment complex foyer"
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "Enter Chinatown's Tea House and the words "well-oiled machine" spring to mind. On a Thursday night the place is packed (and in Chinatown, with hawkers at every restaurant door, that says something) with a mixed crew, ranging from portly middle managers and large Anglo families to quiet Chinese couples and Japanese tourists."
Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 15/20
Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "this polished Cantonese restaurant builds on its position with well-spaced tables and discreet service, creating a haven for business pow-wows and private celebrations."
Age Take 5 Roslyn Grundy 5/9/04
Age, A2, 1/5/04
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, Good vegetarian options,'This is a contemporary CBD dining room, with careful Cantonese cooking using great produce. A quick glance at the menu suggests conservatism, but working the waiter for specials will unearth beautiful dishes...is well priced, with professional service and a wine list that's a bargain.'
Age, Epicure, Restaurants, 4/3/03, John Lethlean
Herald Sun,Sunday Magazine, Dining, Graham Pearce, Score: 8/10