Mr Stonebowl Burwood — Restaurant in Sydney

So I went with my boyfriend yesterday to have dinner here and decided to leave a long review about this place. We could not book for dinner and knowing it would be busy as Saturday evening, unfortunately they only take booking if there's a big group of 6 or above. We expected to be waiting for a while, they have a weird booking system on the door where you fill your number of people on the sheet and wait to be called in. We like number 30s - 40s ob the list and we definitely knew we would be waiting for ages haha. But my stubborn Aussie boyfriend insisted we have to wait instead of walking around to explore the Chinatown area as my friend recommended. They had this tent area with heater on so that not bad, we just had to stand in the tent waiting in the crowd for good 2 hrs. The restaurant looks fantastic outside with all the TV advertising about their food and some favorite dishes on big colour prints, however I need to give sone feedback as not all of them have English translation so we dont know what dishes they are. We got to look at menu while waiting outside but they like print out without photos so we not too sure what dishes look like (apart from those advertising on the TV). So we already decided what to have when we got in. I was really losing my patience so was really hoping that the food would be good. Amazingly when we got in their service was excellent. We only had small table for two, but i told the waiter that I was going to order a lot as I was bringing my brother some takeaway home when we finish. Their service was so fast. They knew exactly what dishes they sold out so we could order different dishes. And they created a bigger space for only two of us as we got lots of order, the food kept coming out and they even tasted better than they looked. Definitely highly recommended this place, but make sure u get your ticket and go for a quick walk, dont miss your number though as they will skip you haha. The Singapore barramundi was fantastic, i was a bit doubtful bc I dnt eat spicy and it has a chilly simple on the menu, but it wasn't spicy at all. My boyfriend said it was the mist delicious fish dish he ever had. Dumplings and everything were great, chicken feet was so so, not really different or interesting from other yum cha places i have been to. My brother really enjoy his salted eggs losbter. I wish they at least had some beers as my Aussie boyfriend dying for some with the food. Also one thing I recommend the restaurant should replace the colour print menu, it was so old and falling apart. Im sure they can afford it, as this place always packed...

My recent visit to Mr. Stonebowl left me with a mixed impression due to the extended wait times that were unfortunately a part of the experience. While the food and ambiance had their merits, the wait times were a notable drawback.

Upon entering Mr. Stonebowl, I was charmed by the restaurant's cozy and inviting atmosphere. The decor was tastefully done, and the layout provided a comfortable and intimate dining setting. However, my excitement was dampened when I realized that the wait times for both seating and service were unusually long.

It took a considerable amount of time to be seated, despite having a reservation. This initial delay set the tone for the rest of the meal. The waitstaff were apologetic about the situation, but the lack of communication about the reasons behind the delay was a bit frustrating.

Once seated, I had the opportunity to explore the menu, which boasted a range of enticing options. I settled on a dish that intrigued me, hoping that the quality of the food would compensate for the waiting ordeal. Thankfully, the food was a redeeming aspect of the experience. The dish I ordered was flavorful and well-prepared, reflecting the culinary expertise of the kitchen staff.

The service during the meal was attentive, and the waitstaff were friendly and accommodating. They took the time to answer questions about the menu and provided recommendations, which enhanced the overall dining experience. However, the lingering memory of the extended wait times did affect my overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, my visit to Mr. Stonebowl was a mixed bag. While the ambiance, quality of food, and service were noteworthy, the extended wait times significantly impacted the overall experience. It's evident that the restaurant has potential, but addressing the issue of wait times would greatly improve customer satisfaction. If you have the patience to wait for a potentially rewarding meal, Mr. Stonebowl might still be...

(3.5 stars) You need a strategy to dine at Mr Stonebowl. Their Burwood restaurant is ridiculously popular, so it’s best to arrive close to when it opens at 5pm. What the people queue for are well-priced, well-presented, contemporary Chinese dishes, often employing luxury ingredients. Once the restaurant fills, it can be up to 90 minutes (the maximum dining time) before any tables turn over.

When you arrive, add your name to the sheet taped near the door, and take a number. There’s a covered tent to wait in, and metal stools for those who need them at the top of the ramp. Once you are inside things move quickly: you scan your table number to take you to the online menu. The circular symbol in the top right of the first screen will change the language to English. You know your order has been placed when staff place a printed ticket on your table, crossing off dishes as they arrive.

Fried rice with abalone ($10.80) arrives first in a piping hot stone bowl: it’s moist and tasty with two pieces of abalone decorating it but lacks the promised truffle sauce. You can also eat abalone ($17.80) as eight, tender bite-sized pieces topped with caviar. Bone-in slices of beef spare ribs ($21.80) tenderised with wasabi and black pepper sizzle away in a stone bowl. Green capsicum is a crunchy star. For something unusual, we tried crispy milk rolls and soft chicken bones ($18.80) where battered chicken cartilage joins sweet milky custard spring rolls. Both are improved by requesting chilli sauce, though I’m still not sure I understand the combination. We end with a golden bowl of sea urchin tofu ($20.80). The silky tofu hides squid, perch and prawns, but the flavour so dominated by salty egg yolk it’s hard to get much from the dark, sea urchin roe topper. Portion sizes are couple-friendly, particularly the...