Spice Temple @ Rockpool

Spice Temple @ Rockpool (Special SupperClub VIP - Beef)

Historic = ●

Distinctly average = ●

Dismal = ●



There’s a wise-old Chinese proverb that states: "Laughter is brightest, in the place where the food is.". I couldn’t agree more – in fact, that’s almost a mantra for SupperClub that one. And of course who could forget Confucius: “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for life” Inspiring stuff indeed. However, a waitress at Spice Temple told me a wise-old Chinese proverb that states: "Long talk cooks rice." Which goes to prove that some wise-old Chinese proverbs are actually complete sodding nonsense.

Spice Temple is a modern Chinese restaurant in the middle of the city, whose menu pays homage to the

provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Xingjiang. There is chilli for the chilli lovers, or subtle flavours for those desiring a more mild experience. Spice abounds regardless.


Food rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 1, green - 13) 

The numbing pork above and below
Fish drowned in heaven facing chillies
(in haven’t made that up)

The food is designed around banquet style dining and due to the large nature of our group (15) we had a bespoke banquet made up of pre-determined dishes. Special dishes of note include: Guangxi style roast pork belly with coriander, peanuts, red onion and sesame seeds - which was delicious, the Hot, sweet, sour and numbing pork Chilli, sugar, black vinegar and Sichuan peppercorn - historic and the Whole steamed snapper with black bean and salted chilli - delicately delectable. The food ‘tantalized the taste-buds, appealing to the more spicy palette’. (copyright Rachel Mehaffey). The food seemed endless and there were chilli’s galore.

Knaps said he once ate a whole red chilli and couldn’t eat for eight days. Amazing.

Service rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 8, green - 6)

Efficient. Possibly a little too efficient. Dishes were removed leaving little time to consider second helpings. In saying that, our waitress always seemed to be armed full with multiple bottles of wine, my glass was never empty and the service was silently ubiquitous.





Knaps and Jack having a brilliant time. Smashing chaps.

Atmos rating: ● (how we voted. red - 0, orange - 4, green - 10)
Spice Temple goes for mood lighting. Dark, seductive mood lighting. You may have heard of the concept of ‘Dining in the Dark’. Experiences that amplify and heighten your taste receptors when your sight is impaired. This was slightly different. Intriguing sliding lights-on-wire offered dim dining lighting. It was like eating down a mine. During a black-out. At night time. That said, the restaurant was very busy which gave the place an exciting Friday night buzz.

WOW factor?

Good looking people. That's what
SupperClub is all about...and Supper.

My notes from the evening are as indecipherable as hieroglyphics - due to the vino. But I appear to have the toilets written down under WOW factor. Hmm? Other highlights include Ducky’s Oscar-esque opening speech, the interactive, sliding, over-head lighting system and of course the company - always a absolute winner.

I want to finish with one of my favourite quotes of all time, it’s from ‘60’s footballer George Best: “I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.” George, you would have made a legendary SupperClub member.

www.rockpool.com/sydney/spice-temple

The search for Sydney’s best restaurant, continues...