
Dan RGoogle review • 7 months ago
Google
Located within the beautifully restored Naldham House in Brisbane’s CBD, The Fifty Six is a must-try. Say goodbye to the idea of your local Chinese takeaway and let your tastebuds experience contemporary Cantonese cuisine done with precision, creativity and serious flair.
The dining room is absolutely stunning, from the elegant tables to the striking artwork that surrounds the space. It feels refined without being stuffy. The service is exactly what you’d expect at this level, polished and attentive. Conner and the sommelier were exceptional.
We began with a unique cocktail, the Song of Jasmine, served ice cold. A fragrant blend of jasmine tea, vodka, gin and vermouth, it was aromatic, crisp and incredibly refreshing .
From the wine list, we selected the Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett. Showing beautiful notes of stone fruit, pear and nectarine, the Riesling paired brilliantly with the seafood we’d chosen, its bright acidity complementing each dish effortlessly.
Starting with snacks, the asparagus tart with plum on puffed rice was a fascinating little bite. The flavour combination was interesting and well balanced, with lovely texture from the puffed rice. The prawn toast was a standout, perfectly crisp with the natural sweetness of the prawn shining through.
For entrées, the scallop and prawn siu mai topped with caviar was expertly prepared. The wonton wrapper was cooked perfectly and the delicate flavours of scallop and prawn truly shone, elevated by the subtle pop of caviar. The ma la calamari with numbing spices and black lime was an absolute knock-out. The calamari was tender, not chewy in the slightest, and the spice left that addictive tingle on the palate that makes you want just one more bite. I would happily eat this every day.
For mains, the Hong Kong-style Murray cod with soy and ginger. The fish was cooked beautifully, moist and delicate, with the soy and ginger adding balanced depth without overpowering the natural flavour of the cod. A side of wok greens and steamed rice rounded everything out perfectly. The black pepper beef and the duck are also must-try dishes here and I’ll certainly be ordering them next time.
We finished with a dessert of white chocolate, matcha and mandarin. If you’re a matcha fan, this one is for you. The gentle bitterness of the matcha contrasted nicely with the brightness of the mandarin, while the white chocolate brought the whole dish together with a creamy sweetness.
The Fifty Six is an exceptional venue with a team that goes above and beyond for their guests. It’s perfect for business dinners, special occasions, or simply when you feel like treating yourself. I can’t wait to return and work my way through more of the menu.