I was a big fan of The Rush Lounge a few years ago but sometime in 2011, they closed for renovations and I moved on. I'm not sure when they re-opened but I finally got the opportunity to visit last Friday night and my, how it has changed.
It's all grown up and gone upmarket expanding its indoor dining area from a few booths to a formal room. The bar has shrunk to make up for the expansion but the wine and dining menu looks better than ever.
Some of the options on the main were tempting - could I really pass up duck confit with roasted potatoes and blueberry jus? - but our group were there for drinks and nibblies only that night. It was just as well I didn't deviate from the original plan because I decided to test their 'After five' menu and ordered prawn and pork dumplings with soy and ginger dipping sauce.
After about five minutes, a small bamboo basket arrived bearing four unremarkable dumplings. I know dumplings aren't the most attractive looking things but these looked like deflated pouches and the wrapper edges were dried. They tasted as ordinary as they looked and worst of all, I had paid $15 for the meagre entree! (for full effect, take a look at my photo of said soggy dumpling)
So I'm of two minds about this former favourite of mine. It's still a great place for drinks but I don't know if I'm willing to try any more food options after such a disappointing taster. For the time being, I'm going to warn people away until I read more reviews about their breakfast, lunch and dinner options. read more