A Mother’s Day lunch is a wonderful thing, but it’s even better when you make a day of it. We combined a delectable Chinese meal with a visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour.
Now 31 years old, the garden is beautifully mature with a cascade of incredible colour that changes every season. In May, we saw the last of the lush summer green with some of the colours of autumn peeking through.
It’s a wonderful place for a wander, but it’s also a great place for kids. Take the Emperor’s Quest to find all 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac hidden around the garden. And make sure you find time to feed the fish.
Since it was feeding time, we moved from the garden to The Gardens by Lotus, a brand new restaurant now on site. Chef Steve Yu has developed a superb menu for lovers of Chinese cuisine.
Try the perfectly poached okra served with sesame dressing, the Szechuan-style pork and prawn wontons with chilli, and the stuffed tomatoes – a real surprise package topped with green and red chilli sauce.
The real showstopper was the Singapore Chilli Crab, served with a side dish of Chinese steamed buns. It’s a very authentic meal, served in the most authentic setting.
