Preston natives can scarcely believe their luck with the recent arrival of this slick and spacious mod-Asian diner. They're already packing the joint for chef-owner Marten Chu's (ex-Breadwell, Via Volare) vibrant takes on pan-Asian classics - think com tam (broken rice with grilled lamb and lemongrass), goi ga (Vietnamese chicken coleslaw) and earthy, fragrant Thai curries. Brother of Nga (aka Miss Chu), Marten shares his sister's knack for celebrating the freshness of Indo-Chinese fare. At breakfast, he combines equal parts family roots and cafe savvy, with expertly done standards such as bircher muesli and eggs Benny sitting alongside chicken congee, black sticky rice or an Asian-style omelet with lap cheong on the menu. Full-bodied Dukes coffee, too. Fu Manchu, 2-4 Gilbert Road, Preston. Open Tues-Sun, 7.30am-10pm (closed Mondays). Phone: 9484 8686.
LEANNE CLANCEY
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