ASIAN PERSUASION

The Kitchens at Robina’s newest eatery promises fresh vibes with fusion flavours to match – there’s even a spice challenge, writes Denise Raward

TEPPANYAKI chefs are just as revered for their personal flair as their tasty food.

Stanley Lee has tried to capture both in his dream venture, Mad Asian Kitchen and Bar, the newest addition to The Kitchens at Robina Town Centre.

“I’m a teppanyaki chef,” Stanley says. “But I’m always thinking of different types of cooking, what I can do with food to make it interesting. All chefs think of this.

“It’s been a goal in my head for a long time to do something like this and when the opportunity came to take over the biggest restaurant in The Kitchens, I just had to do it.”

Stanley and his team are behind the successful Saiko Teppanyaki in The Kitchens with another franchise in the Emporium in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

The Mad Asian’s menu comprises a creative array of contemporary Asian fusion dishes, borrowing heavily from Japanese cuisine but merging it with flavours from China, Malaysia and Vietnam.

There are tapas and entreesize plates in street-food style as well as larger serves and inspired desserts.

Signature dishes include yellowfin tuna with special spicy sauce featuring a base of blended fruits, lightly fried scallop salad served with seaweed, edamame and honey yuzu dressing, grilled Wagyu beef and the Mad Grandpa prawn curry with green beans and chilli.

“It’s quite a wide menu; there’s soups, stir-fried wok dishes, noodles, curries and some traditional dishes for people who like them,” Stanley says. “There will be a lot of spice on the menu too.”

For those who are game, the Hot Asian Food Challenge is a selection of the chef ’s fieriest dishes.

“But you need to like spiciness for that,” Stanley warns. “Some people love it so we say come and try.”

Then there are the drinks. Stanley and his team have come up with an extensive bar menu featuring 38 classic, traditional and signature cocktails, around 50 whiskeys, 30 gins, craft beers on tap, a well-curated wine list and, of course, sake — both hot and cold.

“There’ll be happy hours and on weekend afternoons, we’ll be having live music so people can relax with a drink, have some tapas or a meal and just enjoy the atmosphere,” Stanley says.

“We’ve got a great lightfilled space that opens up. Coming into summer, it’s going to be amazing.”

There’s also a kids’ play space featuring ping pong and mini games.

“We’re aiming for a medium range, casual dining place where everyone can feel welcome,” Stanley says.

“We’d love people to try us out. We’ve got a lunch special with soup, stir fry and rice for $13, with table service. It’s cheaper than what you’d pay in the food court or for takeaway.

“We’re excited to launch. We’ve got all the passions of Asia and I think there’s something for everyone.”

The Mad Asian Kitchen and Bar is now open on Level 1,

The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre (opposite Elixiba)