Barbarino’s + Wong

Like a Mont Blanc pen without the tip, a Rolex without the battery, the toilet without the toilet paper when you go for a number 2. Missing a vital component. Barbarino’s + Wong has the looks, the deep red Asian lucky colour, the moody, dim lighting, the Oriental style screens, it’s all very comforting. Unfortunately the food does not match its style.

As the name suggests, there’s stuff from the West such as burgers, grilled chicken and steak. The Famous Onion Rings, dangerous from the oil they’ve been fried in and as such not too delicious. Potato Skins better, the excess skin seasoned like wedges, the potato soft and mashy, dip into a trio of avocado, spicy tomato and sour cream dips. Pork ribs smothered in a thick BBQ sauce, lacked smoky flavour, a less fattier slab would have helped also. Baby snapper simply barbequed was not adequately seasoned and safely overcooked. From the Asia via the West, there are curries, fried rice, claypots, Laksa and Tom Yum noodles and meatier dishes such as lemon, koong-po, Szechuan chicken, Mongolian beef and sweet and sour pork.

Having said all that, it’s only fair to mention that only Barbarino’s was sampled, and that Wong guy’s quality might be up to scratch. The place deserves the time to find that battery or the spare roll to fix it up.


1.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 474 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC
What? Mains $20