China Doll — Restaurant in Sydney

Don't see what all the fuss is about.

We had some wagyu rice paper rolls and they were actually gross. The beef was obviously offcuts from the steak and they were shredded into this weird dog food texture and stuffed into these rolls which were deep fried with no vegetables and only a tiny bit of coriander. When I saw this on the menu, I imagined strips of meat with herbs and veg. It was more like an Asian meat pie. Very off-putting texture. For $26, not up to scratch.

I ordered a rose and rhubarb ice tea. I couldn't taste either rose or rhubarb, it was more like an old fashioned lemonade. $12. I sent this back and asked for the passionfruit mojito with only a bit of sugar as the first drink was too sweet. This was even worse than the first. The bottled lime juice was bitter and the passionfruit clearly frozen. So sweet I couldn't drink it. It took a really long time getting any attention to send these back.

We asked for the waitress' help choosing a wine and she couldn't identify a single characteristic of the rose other than "it's really nice."

We had the duck and watermelon salad for entree. This was pretty good, the flavours were nice and duck was well cooked. Unfortunately, there were only about 8 small pieces of watermelon in the whole thing and they were slimy, clearly not fresh, and there was far too much fermented cabbage. It lost the balance. This was about $26.

My mum had the red snapper and said it was very nice but safe. Well cooked but not revolutionary. This was about $45.

I had the tofu and eggplant for my main. Disappointing. No herbs, nothing fresh. It was swimming in a salty oily sauce. Reminecent of a cheap old school suburban Chinese restaurant meal. I think our server should have recommended I order rice with it.

Our dessert was actually fantastic. A pandan creme brulee with a coconut sorbet. Very generous size, beautiful delicate flavour and texture with a perfect cracking Brulee. I think this was about $18.

The maitre'd was divine, she took all these cute photos of us, as it was a special occasion, my mum's birthday.

All in all, I'd say the food and drinks have a long way to go and it's very very expensive. I probably wouldn't come back again. Not the best menu for someone vegetarian, though there...

I am writing to formally express my deep dissatisfaction and concern following a recent visit to China Doll Restaurant. Today, my partner and I had eagerly planned a lunch date at your establishment, scheduled for 12 PM. Unfortunately, our experience was far from the pleasant dining we anticipated.

Upon arrival, we were seated at a corner table. As time passed, it became increasingly apparent that our presence was being overlooked. Every other group that arrived after us received prompt service, while we sat unattended. This was not an isolated incident, as a couple seated behind us experienced a similar disregard. They, too, were completely ignored by the staff and eventually left the restaurant in frustration.

It is distressing to note that the only commonality between our table and that of the couple was of different racial identity. We were both parties of color in a predominantly non-colored guest environment. This conspicuous pattern raises a serious question about whether the service we received (or lack thereof) was influenced by racial bias.

After a 40 minutes wait and with no service in sight, I felt compelled to approach the concierge. I expressed our dissatisfaction with the lack of service and informed her of our decision to leave. Disappointingly, the response was apathetic. There was no attempt at an apology or any form of acknowledgment of our grievance. Such indifference further added to the already unpleasant experience.

This incident has left us feeling marginalized and discriminated against. It is unacceptable that in this day and age, patrons of a reputable establishment like China Doll are subject to such biased treatment. I urge you to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate steps to ensure that no other patrons experience similar discriminatory treatment.

Awaiting your prompt response and action on this...

Absolutely loved our dinner at China Doll. The service was top-notch from start to finish. The staff were attentive, friendly, and made us feel incredibly welcome. They went above and beyond to meet all of our needs and ensure we had a fantastic dining experience. We opted for the $65pp banquet menu and boy, were we blown away. Every dish that came out was a culinary masterpiece. The flavours were bold, the presentation was impeccable, and each bite was a journey of taste sensations. From the melt-in-your-mouth beef curry, to the succulent duck and watermelon salad, crispy pork belly, and fluffy zucchini fritters, every dish was a true delight for the senses. Not only was the food delicious, but the portion sizes were also incredibly generous. We left feeling pleasantly full and satisfied. The restaurant's attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the carefully curated menu to the beautiful plating. Overall, our experience at China Doll was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of outstanding service and an extraordinary banquet menu made for a truly memorable dining experience. If you're looking for an unforgettable culinary adventure in Woolloomooloo, look no further than China Doll. You won't be disappointed!

EDIT: We’ve been back to China Doll since my first review and brought my family for a special celebration dinner. My Mum has several food allergies which usually makes dining out difficult for her. However, the staff really went above and beyond to ensure she was well looked after with substitute dishes that were just as good as what everyone else was eating. For maybe the first time ever, she didn’t feel like she missed out. Really appreciated, thank you...