Lotus The Galeries — Restaurant in Sydney

(3.5 stars) This year restaurant partner Lotus the Galeries supported Sydney Film Festival patrons with a six-course menu ($55/head). This well-priced dinner came with a glass of the 2021 Mitchell Watervale Riesling or Lotus’ own-brand, easy-drinking Aussie rice lager, locally brewed by White Bay Brewing Company. While a little fried-heavy for my usual taste, the satisfying multi-course menu kicked off with spring rolls filled with toothsome king brown mushroom; Sichuan-style pork and prawn wontons; and a generous serve of calamari dusted with 7-spice powder.

Plump hunks of soft white tofu inside crisp salt and pepper-crusted skins were enjoyable against a sesame-based dressing. The menu concluded with sweet and spicy kung pao chicken with 5-spice tofu, peanuts, and dried chillies that I generally suggest you eat around. It suited the calming cucumber of the Cruel Mistress ($24) cocktail that combined Cazadores, Louis Roederer ‘Brut’ Champagne and St Germain with coriander cut by a jalapeño kick that came up a little too much like melon for my liking. The spicy chook was accompanied by steamed rice and Asian greens drizzled with soy and chilli oil, sending us off to our film satisfied and unlikely to crave junk. Watching their popular roving Peking duck trolley inclined me to consider revisiting again in the future.

2 years ago: (3.5 stars) Office lunch breaks in the middle of the city have seen me reacquaint myself with venues like Lotus Dining, a restaurant I haven’t revisited for five years. Located upstairs in The Galeries, the DS17-designed, glass-heavy space has aged well. The fit-out continues to bring a delightful well of natural light into this shopping centre-based restaurant, deep within the concrete canyons of Sydney’s CBD.

On my first visit, I’m impressed when the maître d' goes the extra mile and seamlessly pulls out the table to ensure my ease of access to the wall-length banquette. He takes the time to joke that they would have been too busy to do it 45-minutes earlier, when this still popular lunch spot was at capacity.

This probably explains the Pacific Oysters ($18/4) that arrive too quickly to be shucked to order. The lost liquor has been replaced with sauce, with a rice wine and vinegar edge, but lacks the promised finger lime that made me pick them in the first place. The end result is flavoursome, creamy and slightly metallic, but without liquor, the bivalves have lost their briny connection to the sea.

Steamed Mushroom Bao ($12/2) are plump and pillowy, making them comforting and filling to eat. They want for chilli, which isn’t provided on the tables here. Bright red Singapore Crab Meat Xiao Long Bao ($21/4) on the other hand have some spiciness to go along with their spurting hot soup. Remember your proper eating technique to avoid pain. They’re elegant and crabby enough to intrigue me into a second visit, even with the hefty (more than fifty bucks) lunch bill for one.

Written up on the menu as Lobster Tail on White Toasted Soldiers ($21) with Japanese mayo. and flying fish roe, I’ve got to say I was surprised to get something that resembles prawn toast. What’s even more strange is the deep-fried dish is garnished with a mound of slivered chips rather than a vegetable or pickle that might have balanced the oiliness, or even a dipping sauce to make it more interesting than a mouthful of lobster and oily crisp bread.

Pan-Fried Prawn and Chicken Dumplings ($16/4) arrive glistening wet and doughy on top. I'm grateful this lot arrive with accompanying chilli, as they're a bit boring to eat within. I suspect you’ve got to make your menu choices carefully here – on this second occasion, I wasn’t convinced my two-item lunch was worth its...

First time trying Lotus dining at any branch. Through other reviews I heard the Galeries branch had the best staff service and reviews for food was really good too. Was pleased to say the reviews were correct

Staff was very attentive and polite. They open at 5:30pm and my partner and I arrived 15minutes early and the manager still led us to our table and served us water and asked if we needed anything.

We had 4 savory dishes and 1 dessert. We tried the lobster & prawn dumplings in which the skin was nicely dyed pink drizzled with some chilli oil. It was a mix of lobster paste and prawn chunks. I found the filling was a good size, but could do with a bit more flavour. The chilli was a nice add on, but lacked flavour too.

The pacific oysters were a nice touch. The flavours of soysauce and yuzu was a very nice mix. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The only complain would be there were some crunchy pieces in the oyster as part of the toppings, yet sometimes my partner and I got confused to whether it was shell or not. Otherwise, would still recommend trying.

We tried the popcorn chicken after reviews mentioned it as a must try. The chicken pieces were bite sized, sizzling hot and very tender. They had a salt/pepper flavour and was very delicious. Came with chilli pieces and some vegetables which was a nice touch.

The lamb ribs were the highlight of this meal! It was super tender and the meat just fell off the bone. It had a nice crispy skin and the flavour was very delightful. It also came with some nice white kimchi that was extra crunchy and flavourful. The lamb ribs were a good size- 3 ribs and a small piece on the size. Would definitely recommend trying this!

For dessert we had the fried salted caramel ice cream with fruit. It was a nice finish as the caramel icecream was not too sweet. Would have been nicer if there was more icecream. The breading was two pieces of bread, buttered and fried. It was nice and crispy but overall would have liked a bit more icecream for the price.

Overall would recommend trying the food here! Was really good and certainly recommend the lamb ribs!...

Stark industrial space punctuated by spot lighting, minimal art and tropical greenery. Wooden bistro tabletops and bistro chairs, comfortable cushioned banquettes against the walls. Tall windows near George Street and facing the atrium in the Galleries provide daylight to those trying to reset circadian rhythms and jet lag. Vegan and gluten free options as well as premium wagyu beef. Beautiful tableware and friendly service. Large drinks list featuring local gin, lots of sparkling wines by the glass and exotic cocktails. Jasmine tea was high quality. Vegetable dumplings were piping hot and very tasty, a combination of mushrooms and spring onions in a rice wrapper. Soy, red vinegar and a chili oil that tasted like it had a hint of garlic accompanied. Crispy eggplant with honey soy and sesame came garnished with cilantro and slivered red chili. 8 perfectly crunchy two-bite beignets of melting aubergine in a not too sweet sauce. A very popular dish to share between 2 or as an appetizer for 4. The crunchy Brussels sprouts looked very good. I will try them next visit! Petite shallot (scallion) pancakes were a divine treat. Crispy outside, fluffy/chewy inside. They had no ‘V’ on the menu, so I assume they were made the traditional way with lard. This vegetarian doesn’t always ask, especially not for black bean soup, and scallion pancakes. The crowd was mostly office suits and dresses, with about a third in jeans, sneakers (trainers). About half the crowd was Asian giving some street cred. I was very impressed by the presentation of the dishes, and the attentive but not intrusive service. Portions were easily shareable - the rice and noodles could serve 4-6. I noticed glasses being refilled, and empty dishes removed after asking. Delightful meal, and it would be a great place for a...