Zhou Zhou

At Zhou Zhou, a level of sophistication has been introduced to the winning formula of beer and dumplings.

Perched above the bamboo steamers at Chapel St’s Oriental Teahouse, Zhou Zhou removes the ‘family vibe’ from your standard yum cha venue and replaces it with something a little more adult. Like craft beer; the menu features over fifty Asian brews alone, not to mention the sake and decent list of wine.

Bar food reflects our hybrid western-Asian leniencies — evident in choices such as the Cheese and bacon spring roll ($6.80), and the Chicken dumpling and quinoa salad ($10.80) – a medley of leafy greens with mixed quinoa, chicken dumplings, broad beans, red onion and ginger dressing.

Cocktails also express an Asian influence — such as the Mekong Hijinks ($17) with a mixture of lychee, lemongrass, hibiscus tea and gin — and earn the venue a seat at the table of other like-minded south side establishments such as Mr Miyagi, Hanoi Hannah and Saigon Sally.

Sure, shabby Shanghai chic has been done before ’round these parts, but when backed by hospitality hero, David Zhou (Oriental Teahouse franchise) it’s going to have some cred. Plus the 3am license helps get an edge over the competition — meaning you can drink long into the night without ducking out for an emergency souva.

455 Chapel St, South Yarra
Wed-Thurs: 5-11pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-2am, Sun: 5-11pm
(03) 9826 0168

www.facebook.com/zhouzhoubar