Fook Shing – Kyneton
new Golden plate Listing in 2022.
First Judges report in 2022
Exciting new Asian GPA entry in 2022 with a long history
First operated as a temperance hotel Fook Shing has seen many changes in its life. Originally hosting coaches and their crew on the gold route it is believed that Fook Shing stayed as the Pub as it offered excellent stables suitable for constabulary. Fook Shing was appointed Chinese detective by the Head of the Victorian Police Force (detective branch), overseeing disputes in the goldfields and one of the men who had been involved in the hunt for the Kelly Gang.
Wealthy, connected and well represented in court, he kept a pistol under his pillow to protect his followers. Fast forward to the current day, the historic hotel building takes the form of a vibrant Southeast Asian inspired restaurant and bar. Fook Shing takes on subtle Singaporean interior styling to complement the 1850’s brickwork and original timber flooring.
Executive Chef Danielle Rensonnet brings a menu full of flavour inspired by traditional dishes from across Southeast Asia using local and regional Victorian produce. Our team of hospitality veterans come from a diverse background of experience and are proud Macedon Ranges locals.
First Judges report in 2022
Fook Shing is part of the new wave of hospitality leading the second gold rush in the Macedon Ranges. Named for Detective Fook Shing (a Chinese émigré who became a controversial undercover cop policing Victoria’s goldfields during the 1860s to 1880s), Fook Shing 2.0 is a buzzy pan-Asian public house serving delicious food and great drinks on Kyneton’s famous Piper Street. It’s not all homogenous “Chinese food” at Fook Shing; you’ll savour the tasty flavours of Sichuan, Fujian and Canton specialties and dive into Thailand, Malaysia or Sri Lanka on your culinary tour of SE Asia. you can order a la carte or opt for a Fook Shing banquet and let the talented kitchen team transform the freshest local produce into a true Asian feast for your dining pleasure. Fook Shing inhabits a beautifully re-imagined hotel, replete with red lanterns, greenery over bare brick walls and Asian bric a brac adorning spacious table placings. It is the ideal choice for an intimate meal for two, or a raucous gathering of 20. Kick off with a Fook Fancy Drink, or grab a local beer or Macedon Ranges wine from the extensive drinks list and enjoy the atmosphere while you plan your next visit.
We were greeted on arrival in a friendly manner, quickly show to our table and our coats taken. Tables were well-spaced and of generous size. The Fook Shing décor perfectly suits the theme of the restaurant. Seating is comfortable with a pleasant degree of ‘lived-in-ness’. Music was set at an ideal level for conversation. The Wait Staff were personable and alert like a well-oiled machine. The menu offers a great blend of traditional share favourites with appeal to a wide range of tastes and budgets. It also shows a depth of experience in the kitchen to present dishes of such geographic and cultural diversity. All the dishes presented well on the table with visual appeal and ideal temperatures. The menu doesn’t suit regional promotion, except for the provenance of the mussels from Portarlington. There was a good range of drinks on offer covering hyper-local to international. Very impressed with the range of varietals by the glass and some very enticing drops to try if not driving (and not the usual suspects). The bottle offerings included tanged from Gille Lapalus to Paul Jaboulet Aine – just terrific. Fook Shing offers terrific value for money, great service and a very appealing menu and drinks list. What’s not to love?
second Judges report in 2022 coming soon
Street Address: 82-84 Piper Street, Kyneton
- Type of Venue: Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Cuisine: Asian, South East Asia (Vegetarian and Gluten free available)
- Trading days and hours:
- Thursdays: 6.00 pm to late (Dinner)
- Fridays and Saturdays: 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm (lunch) and 6.00 pm to Late (Dinner)
- Sundays: 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm (Lunch)
- $$
- Visa and Mastercard accepted (Amex applied for)
- Street Parking and Off-street Parking
- Exec Chef: Danielle Rensonnel
- FOH Manager: Robert Mariotti
- Covid Safe measures in place
