DUMPLING GIRL AND CHEESECAKE BOY: Hurricanes, Top Ryde City Shopping Centre

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hurricanes, Top Ryde City Shopping Centre

Top Ryde City Shopping Centre reopened in 2010 after a long leave of absence. Being local residents, Dumpling Girl and I were excited to hear that Hurricanes would be opening a restaurant in "La Strada". Having dined at both the Bondi Beach and Darling Harbour versions of this restaurant, we were looking forward to our favourite menu items being the Portugese Chicken and the rack of Pork Ribs.

Being advised that the restaurant would open "late 2010" we would visit to see if it was open on our weekly shopping expeditions. To our dismay, the opening was pushed back to early 2011 which was not to our liking!. Having nearly given up on trying to predict the opening date, Dumpling girl and I started losing interest. That was until fate would have us in the right place at the right time.

Coming home from a long day at work in yet another boiling hot Sydney day, we decided that we were both too worn out to cook. Being Chinese New Years Eve we decided to go and celebrate once more by eating together. Dumpling girl decided that eating at Eastwood Peking sounded like a good idea. Phoning the restaurant with the faint hope that there would be a spot available, we were advised that the night was booked out. Upon hearing this news we decided to research what restaurants there were open around our area and to our surprise we found that Hurricanes was opening today!!!

We attempted to call to book however due to a non functional booking system (after 6pm) we had to try our luck that there would be spaces available. Arriving to find the place partially filled we were glad to be able to get a seat.

Being opening night there were nearly as many staff on as there were customers. We were ushered to our table by a friendly waiter who advised us that it was the first night working for hurricanes for most of the staff. We were handed menus which we looked at to see what items may tempt us and then decided it was best to stick with our original choices of Portugese Chicken and Pork Ribs with a side of chips and garlic bread. The food arrived and tasted just like we remembered and we were happy with our choices.

The difference between many restaurants is the service it delivers. On our visit the wait staff were attentive, efficient, friendly and professional. If anything I would say that they over delivered which is not always a good thing. I can only read from this that they are opening to make a good impression with all the new clientele.

Overall the experience was well enjoyed and we are sure that we will be back for more sometime in the future. First impressions count and I can say that our first impression was a good one!!