Old timers and a new cook.
MARS (Meals are really satisfying). Shit name for a shit restaurant or so I've always thought. More of a new style cafe than a restaurant. I've been here before on the lookout for a regular Chinese restaurant when we first moved to the Northern suburbs. After a couple of attempts it became known to us as Meals are really shit. On return, close to 5 years later, it seemed like nothing much had changed. I'd actually put off this leg of the odyssey cos I knew what was in store. I'm usually suffering MSG withdrawal after 7 days. Same Aussie woman on the front counter and 5 old drunks each ordering curried prawns and rice in the time that I was there. Another old drunk actually left before ordering curried prawns and rice because, I think, my kid was making too much noise for him. Sadly, these are the only people that are still digging on Chinese. Right next door is Thirroul's best Thai restaurant which was already well patroned even at 5:30pm. Thai love can probably be best seen in Thirroul. There are 5 Thai restaurants in town and even the shittest one has managed to stay open for quite some time. As I get home I reluctantly cracked the first plastic container and quickly realized there must be new owners. Woohoo.
Long Soup/Short Soup
Good broth, noodles thin and square.
Right amount of soy and sesame oil. 7/10
Mini spring rolls
Kam Tim-esque, long, thin, delicious springys.
The only downside was a long spinach like
intrusion extending down the length of the roll. 6/10
Prawn Cutlets
The only disappointment. Small and obviously
frozen for a long time. I think the chef was
running low so he whipped down to IGA
for another bag of Pacific West 4/10
Combo Chow Mein
Surprising delish. Interesting though that the
chicken was pre cooked. Small prawns too????
You can't pay $15+ for a dish with small prawns
instead of your usual 3 King Prawns. Sometimes
places can really get their pricing wrong as
compared with other items on the menu.
This is one of those examples. 6/10
Fried Rice
The key indicator of a good Chinese Restaurant.
Yes, MARS delivers in this department. This
might sound weird coming from me but if there
are any complaints, it might have been a bit oily. 8/10
Cost: $50.30 *cough* rip off *cough*
Score: 62%
Pattern? Better Chinese as you go south. That trend will, I dare say, end at the next restaurant, Lucky Inn, Bulli.
MARS (Meals are really satisfying). Shit name for a shit restaurant or so I've always thought. More of a new style cafe than a restaurant. I've been here before on the lookout for a regular Chinese restaurant when we first moved to the Northern suburbs. After a couple of attempts it became known to us as Meals are really shit. On return, close to 5 years later, it seemed like nothing much had changed. I'd actually put off this leg of the odyssey cos I knew what was in store. I'm usually suffering MSG withdrawal after 7 days. Same Aussie woman on the front counter and 5 old drunks each ordering curried prawns and rice in the time that I was there. Another old drunk actually left before ordering curried prawns and rice because, I think, my kid was making too much noise for him. Sadly, these are the only people that are still digging on Chinese. Right next door is Thirroul's best Thai restaurant which was already well patroned even at 5:30pm. Thai love can probably be best seen in Thirroul. There are 5 Thai restaurants in town and even the shittest one has managed to stay open for quite some time. As I get home I reluctantly cracked the first plastic container and quickly realized there must be new owners. Woohoo.
Long Soup/Short Soup
Good broth, noodles thin and square.
Right amount of soy and sesame oil. 7/10
Mini spring rolls
Kam Tim-esque, long, thin, delicious springys.
The only downside was a long spinach like
intrusion extending down the length of the roll. 6/10
Prawn Cutlets
The only disappointment. Small and obviously
frozen for a long time. I think the chef was
running low so he whipped down to IGA
for another bag of Pacific West 4/10
Combo Chow Mein
Surprising delish. Interesting though that the
chicken was pre cooked. Small prawns too????
You can't pay $15+ for a dish with small prawns
instead of your usual 3 King Prawns. Sometimes
places can really get their pricing wrong as
compared with other items on the menu.
This is one of those examples. 6/10
Fried Rice
The key indicator of a good Chinese Restaurant.
Yes, MARS delivers in this department. This
might sound weird coming from me but if there
are any complaints, it might have been a bit oily. 8/10
Cost: $50.30 *cough* rip off *cough*
Score: 62%
Pattern? Better Chinese as you go south. That trend will, I dare say, end at the next restaurant, Lucky Inn, Bulli.