Andrew McConnell strikes again at Ricky & Pinky, a Hong Kong-style diner inside the Builders Arms Hotel. Exposed gold pipes, pastel banquettes, and paper napkins project casual glam, and there’s a snacky, shareable menu to match. Using high-end ingredients, such as free-range meat from McConnell’s nearby Meatsmith butchery, his head chef ArChan Chan puts traditional Cantonese cooking firmly in the now. Fried prawn and chicken wontons have plenty of crunch, while pops of salmon roe and scud chilli make raw kingfish a standout. Springy salt-and-pepper squid is lightly battered and perfectly fried, ideal with a frosty pint from Ricky’s excellent drinks list. Or maybe a bottle from the range of 300-plus wines that span South Africa to Austria? Larger dishes include fall-apart braised short ribs and whole steamed snapper with ginger and coriander, while plus-sized fortune cookies are a fun, buttery, biscuity way to finish.
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide
Wine: ★ ★
Gourmet Traveller’s star-ratings, which range from zero to three stars, reflect reviewers’ first-hand experiences. The best-rated restaurants form our national Top 100. Our wine ratings, from zero to three stars, are made by wine editor Max Allen on the strength of the quality of the restaurant’s wine list. View our rating key here.
