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There’s not an Australian (or aspiring Australian) in Sydney who doesn’t cherish a memory of a succulent Chinese meal. The delightfully retro Chinese takeaways that punctuate our suburbs and regional towns hold a special place in our national identity. But when you can score all of the nostalgia and indulgent umami via an elevated menu and an exceptional line-up of complex, carefully sourced drinks, you’re onto something special. That’s exactly the vibe at Lucky You Darling – Darlinghurst’s new contemporary Chinese restaurant from Lucky Venues (the people behind Glebe institution Baja Cantina and Norwest's recently-opened Angelica). Lucky You Darling officially opened on Friday, August 7, and by the time we swung by on Saturday night, it had already found its flow.
According to the team, the intimate new restaurant is built around the belief that the best meals are shared – a philosophy we stand by at Time Out Syd. Leading the kitchen is Chef Fendi, whose Chinese-Indonesian heritage and ten years at Lotus Dining – where he worked his way up to Head Chef – have shaped a menu that's designed to feel familiar with a solid share of surprises.
We started with prawn toast topped with wild-caught banana prawns and sriracha mayo, and XO scallops with house-made XO sauce and vermicelli. Honestly, I’ve never met a prawn toast I didn’t like, and this one went above and beyond. The scallops were fresh-as-heck, with the flavour-forward parcel of vermicelli adding an interesting, complex hit. Other faves from the menu are the wagyu san choi bao finished with Lucky's signature four-type dry chilli seasoning; the crispy duck breast pancakes (always) and the crispy XO tofu, which comes wrapped in a gorgeously sticky house-made XO sauce that hits the perfect sweet-savoury harmony note. The dumplings are neatly presented and perfectly cooked, and because every good meal deserves a ridiculous dessert, the grand finale is a deep-fried ‘Lucky Gaytime’.
The food in our experiences was spot-on, but it's the wine list that really makes this place shine. Alongside Australian and international bottles is a collection of Chinese wines from regions including Ningxia and Hebei. Chinese wine is one of the world's fastest-growing wine industries, but it's still something most Australian diners rarely encounter. Here, it's not just an interesting addition to the list – the wines have been selected to work alongside the food, with light, medium-bodied profiles dominating the list (order the Chinese riesling: you’ll be surprised). Plus, more than half of the producers on the wine list are female winemakers, with a particular focus on family-owned wineries, socially conscious makers and producers taking a less conventional approach to winemaking. The cocktail list takes a similarly playful approach, with familiar classics (including a zingy house Marg) sitting alongside fun creations designed to complement the food.
The room itself is exactly what it needs to be. Moody lighting, playful artwork and rich textures give the space a warm, anything-could-happen energy that fits right into Victoria Street.
Lucky You Darling is open Wednesday to Sunday. You can book over here.
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