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There is an interesting Malaysian restaurant called Chinta Ria. Notable mostly for it ambience than for it’s cuisine, it is none the less a good experience in both food and setting. We had a tough time finding it based on the address alone and it was only through some diligence and chance that we accidentally found ourselves at its doorstep. Good thing too, as we worked up an appetite getting there.

We were somewhat on the early side of the evening, so we were able to get a table without a booking and get one outside on their large but crowded deck. The only downside was that our table was jutting into the only access to the restaurant and was in danger of being knocked about by both wait staff and patrons alike.

Our meal was good, but not up to the prices. There seemed to be about a 30% premium for the decor – including a very large Buddha in the middle of the dinning area. I’m willing to pay more for a big Buddha, but I think I top out at around 15%.

Unfortunately, we didn’t write down the names of the dishes and we ordered the specials, so this is from memory. The most notable part of the evening was the fish, which our waiter claims was Snapper. I’ll quote Angela in her description to her Mom later that evening:

We had a fish curry that the waiter said was Snapper. It was really rich and really spicy, with coconut and eggplant and tomatoes, but it had the weirdest bones in it — unlike any other piece of fish I’ve ever had. There were two large chunks of fish, which seemed like they might be a backbone with a flank attached, but there were only a couple of spiny ribs and they were really thick– thicker than a toothpick and almost as straight, and at one end there was a large bulbous mass of bony material. The “backbone” itself was really thick and no actual vertebrae were visible, so maybe it was really just another bone from a really large fish. The meat was really tender and sweet, almost the consistency of Trout, but the bones were really disconcerting. We didn’t know if this was just a Malaysian way of cutting the fish or if this “Snapper” was actually some other strange fish we’d never had before. It was anatomically bizarre.

To be fair, the fish tasted very good. But the bones we were finding defied our limited knowledge of how a fish is designed.

But to start we had something called ‘Parker’s Gems’ which thankfully were listed on their online menu. It was good, but was really saved by the spicy dipping sauce. By themselves, they were a tad under flavoured.

Another bright spot to the meal was the marinated beef. This was peppery and served on a bed of lettuce – sans any other vegetables. Angela is particularly put out by a lack of vegetables included with a main, as it leaves you feeling like you are just eating protein. But it went very well with the steamed white rice and was a nice complement to the Snapper.

Dessert was a cold dish (cold in a good way!) comprised of tapioca and coconut milk. It was a tasty, sweet, and refreshing end to the more savoury tastes of the meal.

Yes, Virginia. That’s a big Buddha in the middle of the restaurant

Seating on the outside deck, overlooking Sydney’s CBD

Parker’s Gems. Minced Chicken blended with Potatoes, Coriander, Silver Thread Noodles and Special Spices

The requisite beer for Asian cuisine

Marinated beef on a bed of Lettuce

Snapper in a Coconut sauce, with Green Beans and Tomato

Tapioca and Coconut Milk dessert, garnished with Mint

Outside of the restaurant, the Monorail speeds by

Overall a nice evening, though pricey for the dishes served. Very popular and the main dining room was a bit dark after the sun went down. Close to the tourist shops and restaurants on Cockle Bay Wharf, so the clientele can be more visitors to the city than locals.

Chinta Ria
Entrées $7-$7
Mains $13-$25
Beer on menu, you can only BYO wine (corkage $7)

201 Sussex St
Sydney 2000 NSW
Phone: (02) 9264 3211