Lucky You Darling

Overview

Lucky You Darling has touched down in Darlinghurst, showcasing nostalgic Chinese favourites alongside a carefully curated wine list that heroes Australian, international, and less-expected Chinese wines. The upbeat, neon-lit new diner is built on the simple premise that the best meals are those shared.

Leading the new venue, which promotes popping in for a few dishes after work as much as it does settling in for a leisurely meal, is Chef Fendi, who brings a decade of experience at Lotus Dining and the traditions of their Chinese-Indonesian heritage to the kitchen. 

"Growing up, food was always how my family connected. At Lucky You Darling, we wanted to capture that feeling while giving people something new to discover. The menu is familiar enough to feel nostalgic, but every dish has its own contemporary twist. It's designed to be shared, talked about and enjoyed together," says Chef Fendi. 

You might start with Prawn toast, made with wild-caught banana prawns and sriracha mayo, and wagyu san choi bao, before moving on to XO scallops, crispy duck pancakes, black pepper wagyu beef flank, and XO seafood fried rice. The deep-fried Lucky Gaytime is a sweet, nostalgic treat to end your evening. 

What delineates Lucky You Darling from the many already buzzing modern Chinese diners around Sydney is its wine program with a focus on the less expected. More than half of the producers represented on its list are female winemakers, with a considered focus on family-owned, socially conscious makers as well. And a standout selection of often-overlooked Chinese wines from regions including Ningxia and Hebei is what really gives the program its pizzaz.  

Images: Supplied. 

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