Susie C.
Yelp
What's not to love about a place called "Gin Long Canteen"? As I went to meet my partner there after work on a warm, humid summer night, visions of ice cold exotic cocktails danced in my head. I wasn't disappointed.
We had tried to make a booking but were told that they didn't do bookings for two. Instead, my partner went early and I met him there. I was greeted by a friendly staff guy who said, "Oh, you're looking for John. Right over there." I KNOW it was John's first time there and the place was already crowded, so I was pretty impressed.
We were seated in the bar area while restaurant seats opened up - just enough time to order drinks. I started with the namesake cocktail using tamarind-orange infused gin in a tall icy glass topped with foam. John had the Ho Chi Mint Mojito, served in a big tin cup and meant to be shared by two (although a single serving size is also available). Both were yummy.
We were seated at the bar that wraps around the open kitchen. For such a relatively small space, they got the food orders out quickly and calmly. Both John and I have worked in commercial kitchens and it was dinner time tv for us to watch the choreographed kitchen function. It was clean, friendly and efficient.
You can order one of three ways at Gin Long - little, big or banquet. Small plates range from $6-12 each and big plates range from $15-29. A banquet will set you back $39 pp but I understand the food doesn't seem like it will ever stop coming.
John and I went with the little plates option and ordered two small plates each. I had the smoked trout lettuce cup, which was tasty and perfect for a warm night, followed by sugar cane prawns, which were served with makings for cold rolls. Succulent prawn meat, mixed with fresh bean spouts, carrot, mint, coriander, and cucumber - what's not to love? Beware of the hoisin paste served with it - there's a whack of chilli in there.
John ordered the ramli slider (chicken, egg and curry mayo) and the Gin Long wings. Both of those had some kick to them. Because of our catbird seat, we also got to watch other dishes come out, including the Nom Nom Barramundi, which is a work of art.
No room for dessert, so had a mango margarita instead. Then we walked home. Had we not been knocking back cocktails, the meal would've been less than $40 and we had plenty to eat.
Gin Long has a cool, funky vibe and sets itself apart from other very good Asian fusion places for a number of reasons. Not only is awesome food whipped up by Thai chef Nu Suandokmai, who recently shifted from Golden Boy, but staff are plentiful, friendly and efficient, and the place laughs at itself - they have two house wines: a red - called the Shilaz, and a white - called the Liesling. Love.