Brisbane’s iconic waterfront precinct, Eagle Street Pier, has an impressive offering of world-class dining options that share unrivaled views of the Brisbane River. Hosting acclaimed restaurants such as Matt Moran’s ARIA, Il Centro, Cha Cha Char and Saké Restaurant & Bar, there is as certain Madame causing much hype in the Brisbane dining scene.
We wooed, or wowed, or both, by the one and only, Madame Wu which is most certainly the furthest thing from your typical local Chinese restaurant.
It seems as though ‘fusion’ restaurants are popping up as frequently as McDonald’s stores these days with this style of cuisine causing a mass divide in the world. There are the Eyerollers, who believe it has become too mainstream and refuse to even say the word. the Enthusiasts, who live, breathe and ONLY eat ‘fusion’. And the rest of us, who think it’s wonderful that cultures are finally uniting, but are a little apprehensive, as we have tarnished experiences having seen one too many restaurants luring people in with their claim of ‘fusion’, only to find that their opinion of ‘fusion’ is the garnishing of chicken soup with a coriander leaf…
Fret not, because Madame Wu, executes ‘fusion’ beautifully, doing what it states, and fusing Asian dishes with European influences that result in a lovely balance of a traditional revamp – it may just unite the world.
Executive head chef Brendon Barker has developed a menu to excite the senses, and uses only the freshest Queensland produce in all his dishes. From steamed duck buns, to black kingfish tartare, and the must try, rice crusted wagyu brisket, everything is a taste sensation. I recommend coming with a group and getting the $65 banquet which allows your table to sample 10 of the most popular dishes, plus a dessert, to ensure that you experience the true Asian-shared style of eating.
Everyone knows that the drinks are just as important as the food, which is why at Madame Wu, there is an in-house sommelier and mixologist who have developed a wine and signature cocktail list with the best local and international wines. One thing that really stood out on the drinks list was the cocktail sampler board, which allows you to enjoy two mini cocktails or three for $30, laying to rest the anxiety filled issue of choosing just one – you’re a genius Madame Wu.
Madame Wu also offers itself as a function venue, with a capacity in excess of 200 people. The space includes a private dining room, a fully covered alfresco deck with retractable roof, a fully serviced bar, capped off with truly breathtaking views of the Brisbane River, Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point and Brisbane CBD skyline.
Madame Wu taught us many things on our visit, but above the simply delectable dishes was the importance of the old proverb that we all were taught as young children but only really made sense after this dining experience, sharing is truly caring.
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By Bee Marffy
