Jishan Garden, St Kilda Road

It was a rainy and cold night when we ventured up to Jishan Garden along St Kilda Road, CBD for dinner. The restaurant has been opened for a few years but it was our first visit to the establishment. We rarely stop at this stretch of St Kilda Road because the location is not great for parking and there are not many reason to stop by. 

The restaurant is housed in a grand old house of yesteryear, but still in great condition. I love historic structures and we spent quite a few moments admiring the statues of unnamed Greek goddesses, the architecture of the building and the latest additions of swings, little dining pavilions on the grounds. 

Inside, we were welcomed warmly by the waitstaff into a private nook with a bamboo curtain separating our table from the other diners. The table was already laid out for us with custom porcelain ware, including disposable chopstick tips. I find the latter such a good idea to reduce waste. 

We ordered Bang Bang Chicken with Truffle ($22.80). This is a cold entree. The chicken was poached and dressed with a delicious truffle sauce which we lapped up. 

This is my favourite dish the Signature Sweet and Sour fish. I'd forgotten the price but the menu on their website shows $58.80 for sweet and sour wild blue cod. The fish bone is removed, the fish cut in criss cross fashion then deep fried and doused with a sweet and sour sauce. It takes real skill to be able to make this dish. I enjoyed the crispy yet tender fish meat.

We also ordered the Spicy Dry Wagyu Beef ($26.80). The waitperson warned us that it will be very spicy, so we asked them to tone the spiciness level down but it was still quite pleasantly spicy! I cannot imagine how spicy the original dish would have been. The wagyu beef is tender but because of the spice it is to be taken in moderation. 

 The restaurant decor is beautiful, there is even a guzheng or Chinese zither on display. When I stopped to marvel at the instrument, the waitperson kindly invited me to take a picture playing the instrument. Of course, I do not know how to play the zither but I jumped at the chance to be pictured pretending to play. In ancient China, the zither is associated with gentlewomen from rich families (and I imagine, pretty too!). After all, only those from a rich family can afford the time and cost to do anything other than work in the fields for a living in the ancient times. 

Jishan Garden offers chinese style high tea as well and it would be lovely to revisit when the weather is a little warmer and sit outdoors.