Phoenix Soars Kitchen - Boroondara

There is always a long line of people waiting for this restaurant to open. I highly suggest making a reservation in advance or arriving early to get in line. Even for takeout orders, especially for their delicious Hong Kong-style BBQ meats, there is often a wait during dinner time. They have lunch specials for stir-fried noodles or rice dishes, as well as a full menu available for dinner. The seating area can get quite crowded.

Fantastic choices and vibrant vibe with simply delicious food. The menu offered a terrific variety of dishes for all tastes. The service was friendly, prompt and professional. Lunchtime was packed and on a Monday! wait staff were really interested-can't wait to try more dishes.

After patiently waiting for a table to be prepared for us, we sat down and perused the picture-filled menu. The descriptions of exotic seafood dishes and their prices were in Mandarin or other Asian scripts, setting the tone for a unique culinary experience that we were eager to explore. The diners around us seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their meals, which added to our anticipation. We decided on tofu, pork belly, and pig intestine chili hotpots with steamed rice for our quick lunch. The tofu dish arrived first and was a delightful mix of pork belly, vegetables, and Asian mushrooms covered in a delicious sauce. The flavors were exquisite, making it clear that this was top-notch Chinese cuisine. The waitress showed a genuine interest in ensuring that we understood our chosen dishes, which added a personal touch to our dining experience. When the hotpot was brought to our table, the aroma was tantalizing and the presentation was intriguing. The combination of vegetables, chili, and intestine had a unique and exciting flavor profile that transported me back to a previous dining experience in China. The dish was generously portioned and included a variety of fresh and tender vegetables, making it a memorable and enjoyable meal. As I finished the dish, it dawned on me that yet again, I had chosen a dish that was recommended by the chef. We left with half a duck to enjoy for dinner, unable to resist the temptation of bringing home more of the restaurant's exceptional cuisine. Overall, our experience at Phoenix Soars Kitchen was delightful, and we look forward to returning to further explore their diverse and impressive menu.

We were once devotees of this insanely named but busy restaurant - until they returned from their holidays earlier in the year. For some reason they dumbed down the menu and upped the prices. Service is all over the place, mostly abrupt, it's cold and draughty, the booking policy leaves you standing near an swinging automatic door that opens and closes at will and the mosh pit next to the cash register is bizarre. We just buy their take-away duck now, but good luck with placing an order over the phone - no-one picks up. Oh dear, I've just convinced myself that it's not worth the irritation of coming here again!!!!

I have not been a fan of PSK because their dishes are usually too salty, such as the Roast Pork and Roast Duck. It surprises me to see a long queue for takeout and two experienced chefs. Perhaps with the closure of Canton, more customers have turned to PSK for their roast takeout. I have not tried their cooked dishes yet, but from what I have observed while waiting in line and seeing the dishes come out of the kitchen, they appear to be quite average. It seems like I will have to look elsewhere for better roast takeout options.