East - Melbourne, Victoria

We scored a Scoopon deal for a Mouth-Watering 7 Course Tasting Menu with Sparkling Wine at East Restaurant, Member of the Acclaimed Hutong Group at just $49 for two people.

Signature Steamed Juicy Pork Dumplings

Signature Wontons in Chilli Sauce

Yunnan Styled Stir Fried Beef with Asparagus and Eggplant

Szechuan Fish Fillets Soak in Hot Chilli Oil Or Fish Fillet in Ginger and Spring Onion Sauce

Stir Fried String Beans with Hot Chilli Sauce

East Signature Fried Rice

East Banana Fritter with Ice-Cream

East Banana Fritter with Ice-Cream

Verdict? The xiao long bao (steamed juicy pork dumplings) were the highlight as always, while the wontons and fish fillet dishes came in at a close second. Everything else was a little mediocre, with dessert being the least impressive dish. But the service was great, the decor was stylish, and there was a lot of food. Overall, it was a delicious banquet bargain and perfect for a catch up dinner - I wouldn't hesitate to snap up another deal!
Time and date of visit: 6 pm Friday 17 July 2015 

East
25 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (03) 9650 8838
Open 7 days for lunch 11:30 am - 3 pm and for dinner 5:30 pm - late

East - Melbourne, Victoria

East is a contemporary wine bar and tapas sharing-style restaurant with a menu that reinterprets the Chinese dining experience. Brought to you by the team behind the cult Hu Tong restaurants, East offers Melbourne’s most innovative interpretation of traditional Chinese flavours with a wine and asian inspired cocktail list to match.

Ginger Mojito - White Rum, Lime Wedges, Mint Leaves, Ginger, Sugar Syrup, Ginger ale 16.8

Shanghainese stir fried noodle with pork and mushroom 13.8

Signature Shanghainese pork spare ribs 25

Signature Steamed juicy pork dumpling (6) 10.8

For dessert, we couldn't resist stopping by Spring Street Grocer's Gelateria Primavera...

Would we go back? The service and the cocktail was great, while the noodles and dumplings maintained the high Hutong standard. For us, the signature spare ribs were a slight disappointment and simply tasted like overpriced sweet and sour pork. But overall, East is an elegant and refined addition to the Hutong family. We would definitely revisit if a) we couldn't get a table at Hutong and desperately wanted our favourite Hutong dishes, or b) we were in the mood for a more intimate dining experience and desperately wanted our favourite Hutong dishes!
Time and date of visit: 5:30 pm Wednesday 3 December 2014

East

25 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ground floor of Sheraton Melbourne Hotel) (03) 9650 8838

Open 7 days, 11:30 am to 11:30 pm