Peacock Gardens is the place to go for a perfect crab omelette ($37.80). Laden with fresh crab meat, this silky mound of delicately cooked egg is best accentuated with a whisker of the on-table chilli sauce. You’ll find this stately Cantonese restaurant in Crows Nest, where it has been delighting locals since 1975. This longevity is easy to understand when you examine the wine list, which includes a premium list from key producers here and over the ditch including Lakes Folly, Felton Road and By Farr.
For this spontaneous midweek foray, I chose the 2021 Giant Steps M3 Chardonnay ($49/half bottle) from an exceptional 25-strong Chardonnay list. It suited mustard king prawns ($37.80) — a local specialisation — made using hot or mild English mustard. We opted for hot, and enjoyed its sharp, wasabi-like bite against the accompanying deep-fried kale. You’ll find the engaged and personable floor team will prevent white tablecloth spillage by serving up your special combination fried rice ($22.80) for you. Both the rice and the crisp mixed vegetables ($23.80) we used to round out our meal were technically well-handled. While Peacock Gardens is more expensive than other local Cantonese restaurants I’ve tried, it is the whole package.
