Bamboo House

A fixture on the Melbourne dining scene, Bamboo House has fed and watered politicians, business people and families for close to three decades. Never stooping to follow food fads, it delivers finessed food with an emphasis on northern Chinese cuisine. The Peking duck - all crisp skin and succulent meat, carved at the table - is justifiably popular, luring punters into the split-level space flanked by gold Oriental screens. Juicy pork pot-sticker dumplings, nicely tanned from the pan, are another drawcard. Main dishes are also solid. tofu squares stuffed with prawns are fresh and bouncy, a flavoursome Sichuan eggplant has the moreish whiff of Chinese vinegar, and lightly battered fish rolls, teamed with ham and mushroom, are supercharged with a sweet and sour sauce. For a finish that goes beyond banana fritters, try glutinous black sesame balls in soup subtly flavoured by the osmanthus flower. Hyper-attentive service is part of the deal.