Noodle House — Restaurant in Northern Territory

Noodle House on Mitchell Street is a good looking standalone structure, always nice to walk past. Finished watching the ballet at the Darwin Entertainment Centre Friday last night (was forceably dragged to this by the other half), and across the street was the Noodle House, looking inviting.

Nobody was sitting in the outside dining area, probably due to the Darwin heat and humidity. Walking inside, we were immediately greeted and seated, good seating for two by the windows, with menus provided immediately.

The menu was well laid out, starting with a few pages for the wine list, then one for beers, followed by the food. Dinner and Lunch menus were both in the same booklet. Disappointed to not see any whisky selection, and surprised not to see any cocktails. Anyhoo...the food menu was decent. About 6-7 chef specials, with mapo tofu (minced pork with tofu) at the top...being a favourite of mine I had picked my main immediately, to go along with a hot and sour soup starter. Unfortunately for my fussy partner, who stays away from seafood, all the other specials are seafood based, so she ended up going with honey chicken.

Having decided, we waited for the waiter. And waited. And waited. Eventually thanks to a nearby table being seated, we were able to flag the seating waitress to take our order. I enquired about whether whisky was available, and was glad to hear that it was. I asked for a menu, none to be found. I asked what kind of whisky, and after a bit of cajoling she was able to rattle off a few whiskies, all blends or bourbons though. I ended up going with a Johnny Walker Black neat, a cheap but delicious everyday scotch.

The soup starter arrived early, and was very spicy, and tasty. I'd probably order this again next time, it was quite pleasant. I would have liked some water to go with it, I noticed other tables had water served. Took us about 10-15 mins before we got paid any attention and was able to flag down a waiter to bring some water.

The honey chicken and mapo tofu (along with steamed rice) came next. I had one bite of the honey chicken, and was not impressed, electing not to go with anymore. My partner ate some, but couldn't have too many and she found it wasn't that great. Going on the mapo tofu though, it was thoroughly delicious, and made me glad I'd chosen to come to this restaurant. Most of the honey chicken was left over in the end, as was half the mapo tofu (mainly due to the serving size...it was huge!), which we ended up asking to be put packed for takeaway.

Settling the bill, discovered the two drams of JWB I ordered totaled $16...bargain! Overall bill was about $100, including two soft drinks, which was not bad. In addition, they take Amex, which was appreciated, and will factor in my returning for more. Had to ask for the doggy bags after 10 mins with no-one coming out.

I guess in summary, food can be hit and miss, when it's a hit, it's delicious. This experience mirrors my two previous visits to this place (many years ago), where some dishes were good (kudos to their Hainanese chicken rice), and others sub-par. Service was polite, though could use with a bit more attention...

Update: I've removed some stars because the most recent time that I visited Noodle House left me not wanting to come back ever again. We waited exactly 35mins at our table and not a single waiter/waitress took our order, they didnt even walk past us or make eye contact. We had reserved a table, and there were about 6 tables around us with people frustrated that their orders weren't being taken either. We sat at the tables outside - it appears to me that the indoor customers are highly prioritised, and the out-door folk get treated less-than. I have been noticing this practice getting worse over the years. We tried to get the attention of a waitstaff but they were just far too busy to even notice, yet they continued seating more people...only to not take their orders. I dont understand why they continued seating people if they couldn't even look after the current customers that were waiting for over half an hour.

I stood up and returned the menu's inside after failing to get anyones attention, and walked out with my family to another restaurant down the road. The service has become so poor lately. The food is amazing, but far too overpriced; each year the food gets more and more expensive. Absolutely ridiculous for less-than average portions. Will not be returning again. This place has become an absolute joke.

Again, to reiterate, it wasnt just my table that was waiting for over 30 minutes, the tables around us had been there much longer and still had their menus in their hands waiting for someone to take their order.

Ps: these photos were taken over the course of a few years when I used to visit more frequently - back when someone actually took our order within minuites of us...

My worst dining experience in 24 years in Darwin here tonite. Took a group of three company visitors. Sat table 39 outside. Very hard to get a drink. Ordered some starters which came ok, ordered mains. In the meantime a couple carry a table and chairs to the corner a metre or two from our table and start smoking. Manager seems to know them and has a chat. All other people smoking are going outside onto street. After an hour waiting we ask about mains and then 3 out of 4 come out, cancelled mine at 1hr 15 when others were halfway through their meals. 10 minutes later my main arrives and girl says it wasn't cancelled. In the meantime a waitress who can hardly speak English keeps bringing Coronas because she does not know what a rum and coke is. We send those back. Ask for manager who confirms the area next to out table is not a designated smoking area, and that yes he did chat to those people but said nothing. Then to top it all off the Coronas we sent away are on the bill and the manager wants to argue. There's a CCTV camera above the table guys, how about you review it as a training exercise in what not to do. My interstate guests were dumbfounded as was I. I tell you what you might think you can trot this rubbish out to the tourists in the current boom but don't you cry poor of local support when...