Step through the ornate wooden doorway and you'll walk straight into a beautiful Asian-influenced space with intricate lights and hanging baskets, and if you take a peek towards the kitchen, you'll spot roast ducks dangling in the window. A very 1980s Dirty Dancing-esque green neon logo is the focal point of the bar and walk-in seating area.
Along with an extensive wine list, Dainty's has a curated selection of cocktails, which the knowledgable waitstaff are happy to talk you through. The Sino-Portuguese Treaty combines Hayman’s gin, lemon and lime-infused soju (Korean vodka), chilli plum sauce, egg white, and soda. It comes topped with chilli flakes for a kick.
This roasting house does its signature dishes with style. The standout from our selection is the char siu barbecue pork ($18 for a small serve), which is tender and sweet. Close behind are the duck bao ($16.50). Pillowy bao cradle roast duck, spring onion and fresh herbs with a dash of hoisin sauce. You get three on a plate, so prepare for tears unless you’re dining as a threesome.
That said, the majority of offerings we sample at Dainty Dowager are spot on, and nothing is on the plate for show or just a simple garnish to be discarded. Everything's a vital, carefully thought-out element to your enjoyment of the dish, from the last scrap of coriander to the final drop of sauce with the char siu pork (seriously, try that pork).