Rhodes Phoenix

Another birthday, another excuse to eat. This time is to the newest member of the Phoenix family, located at Rhodes Shopping Centre.

Food

They are not very adventurous here. They seem to have a small range of the usual suspects, with some favourites not even appearing like the daikon cakes, fried rice sheets. I was sad that there was such a limited offering in steamed dumplings! There is none of the unusual offerings you get at some other yum cha places, (to those who cares - no mango pancakes on the dessert trolley!), but at least the basics are done well. The pastries of the dumplings are a bit thick, but the filling is great. Everything tasted fresh and are warm to hot. The test of the kitchen egg tarts are pretty nice. Not the best I've had, but with acceptable pastry and a not too sweet and not too hard filling.

Rating - 6

Atmosphere

Well, Phoenix departs from the stereotypical yum-cha places in that they pay attention to decor. This one has a black and red colour scheme going. There is a huge space with black walls, white table-clothed tables and black primary school classroom style chairs. Our private room also featured black walls, with a vibrant red painting and flower arrangements. The acoustics in that place is quite bad so you get all the noise of any other yum cha place. The point of difference though - space. We had a party of 15, and was spread out in two tables. You can eat there without jamming your elbow into someone else or poking their eyes out with your chopsticks.

Rating - 2

Service

The best thing about eating here is that you can actually book a table before 12pm. We had a booking and walked straight pass the crowd that was waiting anxiously for a table. The waiters are like other yum cha places. Harried and you can never get their attention. They were slow in refilling our water and didn't remove the empty steamers or plates from our table for ages. Their English skills? Who knows as I didn't speak to them in English!

The trolley ladies are actually pretty nice, they try to get you what you want and are helpful!

Rating - 3.5

C-factor

$22 a head is probably more expensive than the Asian places. You have to pay for the decor afterall. But as they say, getting everyone together to celebrate my b'day? Priceless!

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 12.5

Info

Level 5, Rhodes Shopping Centre
1 Rider Boulevard
Rhodes
NSW 2138
Phone (02) 9739 6628
Website