Chu at West HQ Rooty Hill wins best Asian restaurant of the year at NSW Restaurant Catering Australia awards

It graces a club once dubbed the “Vegas of the West” but with an overhaul came a swanky yum cha and a la carte venue that has pipped heavyweights to be crowned Sydney’s best Asian restaurant.

It opened as an outpost of the celebrated China Doll at Woolloomooloo, but now its western Sydney cousin serving modern Asian cuisine has thrived in its own right and has some silverware to go alongside the giant buddha statue greeting diners.

Chu Restaurant by China Doll at West HQ, Rooty Hill, has claimed the Asian Restaurant of the Year at the NSW Restaurant and Catering Australia Awards for Excellence.

The elegant restaurant, which serves contemporary cuisine from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South East Asia, pipped renowned rivals Chin Chin at Surry Hills, Ms. G’s at Potts Point and MuMu in Sydney CBD.

Dishes are designed to share while nestling in signature decor inspired by the glamour of 1940s Shanghai.

Head chef and China Doll product Kenny (Giseung Kim) oversees a line of artistically-prepared dishes, from Chinese roast meats to steamed barramundi fillet with chilli garlic and pickle mustard.

Duck pancakes, barramundi fillet, pork and prawn shu mai, vegetable gyoza and pork xiao long bao at Chut, at West HQ in Rooty Hill. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Yum cha is popular on weekends. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Steamed buns, rice noodle rolls, and rice and wheat dumplings tempt diners at yum cha with “classic Chinese flavour combinations, using fresh produce, local meats and exotic spices”.

Yum cha is served on weekends and a la carte on Friday and Saturday nights.

Western Sydney-raised restaurateur Steve Anastasiou of China Doll Sydney opened Chu in 2019 as part of the $10m West HQ dining precinct, which sits alongside the Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

West HQ chief executive Richard Errington praised staff and also put the success down to using premium ingredients.

“Chu Restaurant by China Doll is just one of the jewels in West HQ’s crown of dining and entertainment venues and is an integral part of our commitment and success in becoming a complete destination for the residents of greater Sydney,” he said.

The accolade follows Chu securing Australia’s Best Club Restaurant Wine List for the second consecutive year.

Sydney Winners

Breakfast restaurant: Centennial Homestead, Centennial Park

Cafe dining: Lime and Coconut Cafe, Windsor

Chinese restaurant: Mr. Wong, Sydney

Contemporary Australian restaurant (formal): Strangers’ Restaurant, Sydney

Contemporary Australian restaurant (informal): Clove Lane, Randwick

European restaurant: Una Más, Coogee

Family dining: Hugos, Manly

French restaurant: Bon Vin, Darlinghurst

Greek restaurant: Jaaks Restaurant and Bar, Kyle Bay

Indian restaurant: Nilgiri’s, Cremorne

Italian restaurant (formal): Pilu at Freshwater, Freshwater

Italian restaurant (informal): Totti’s, Rozelle

Japanese restaurant: Azuma Japanese Restaurant, Sydney

Pizza restaurant: Motza Pizza, Castlecrag

Premium dining: Quay Restaurant, Sydney

Restaurant in a hotel/resort: Bangalay Dining, Shoalhaven Heads

Restaurant in a pub/club: The Wine Room – Balgowlah RSL Club, Seaforth

Seafood restaurant (formal): Ormeggio at the Spit, Mosman

Site/industrial caterer: TWG Hospitality Services at St Paul’s College, Camperdown

Venue caterer: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

Wedding caterer (over 200 guests): Ivy, Sydney

Wedding caterer (under 200 guests): The Kyle Bay on Georges River, Kyle Bay

CommBank Stadium’s in-house caterer VenuesLive was named Caterer of the Year at the NSW Restaurant & Catering Awards For Excellence. Picture: Gregg Porteous

VenuesLive staff celebrate their win.

Regional winners

Asian restaurant: Sanpo Japanese Restaurant, Helensburgh

Breakfast restaurant: The Cottage, Scone

Burger Bar: His Boy Elroy, Wollongong

Cafe dining: Birchwood Cafe: Jindabyne

Contemporary Australian restaurant (formal): Arrana, Springwood

Contemporary Australian restaurant (informal): The Cottage, Scone

Family dining: Mexicoast Cantina, Toukley

Indian restaurant: Spices 29 Goan Indian Restaurant, Woy Woy

Pizza restaurant: Honourable mention: Figtree Gourmet Kitchen, Figtree

Premium dining: Honourable mention: Arrana, Springwood

Restaurant in a pub/club: The Glass Cafe Bistro – The Highlands Golf Club, Mittagong

Restaurant in a winery: The Wood Restaurant – Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin

Seafood Restaurant: Tidal Restaurant & Wine Bar, Merimbula

Steak restaurant: The Gates Restaurant at Leogate Estate Wines, Pokolbin

Events caterer: Restaurant Cuvee, Pokolbin

Function/convention centre caterer: City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong

Venue caterer: Sprout Catering – Tocal Homestead, Paterson

Wedding caterer: City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong

The celebrated Quay restaurant.

Partner awards

OneMusic excellence award: The Blind Pig – Sound Lounge & Bar, Orange

Sydney Water sustainability award: The Meat & Wine Co, Barangaroo

Major awards

Casual dining of the year: NSW regional winner: Birchwood Cafe, Jindabyne. Sydney winner: Hugos, Manly

Caterer of the year: Regional winner:- City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong, Sydney winner – VenuesLive NSW – CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

Restaurant of the year: Regional winner: Arrana, Springwood. Sydney winner: Quay Restaurant, Sydney