One afternoon I found myself busy packing ready to hop on a plane. Mr NQN being Mr NQN had left me to pack his things. So far I’ve got black pants, black tops, black boots and a black coat. Guess where I’m headed with this wardrobe? Mr NQN and I were off for a weekend adventure in Melbourne!

I had first had a quick glimpse of the Crown Metropol when Nic and I had dined at Maze a month or so ago. It was a modern building, all sleek surfaces, glossy black glass and mirrors and large sculptures in the lobby.  So when Mr NQN and I checked into the hotel a few weeks later I was intrigued to see what the rooms were like.

We are given an oversize room on the 12th floor with access to the 28th floor guest lounge. We settle in and unpacked. The room is spacious with a great view of the city and water with a good selection of Madame Flavour teas, a proper sized working desk (I hate small desks), an excellent magazine selection, an open plan bathroom with privacy screens and the most heavenly robes you could conjure up (and yes I contemplated buying them as I didn’t remove them the entire time I was in the room). No wonder we see fellow guests wandering the halls in these. Is it wrong to want to do everything in them? And is this how Hugh Hefner got started? I only wish that there were slippers (thongs are provided) and there was a bit more shower pressure and amenities.

We head to Hu Tong, a dumpling bar that is said to serve brilliant Xiao Long Bao (or Shao Long Baos as they  call them). Housed down a laneway opposite the iconic Flower Drum restaurant that could be any laneway in Asia it looks promising. But you know I’m tough on XLB’s and a little bit obsessed

It’s not at all what I expected. I was expecting something like Sydney’s Shanghai Night, all plastics and “don’t linger” vibes but this is funkier and with a host of men and women with ear pieces guiding us through to the second floor to our table. If anything it reminds us of a Surry Hills restaurant and there’s a definite buzz. The menu features a red stamp next to the signature dishes. Service is brisk and brusque with just one or two waitpeople offering a smile.

Shao Long Bao $10.80 for 8 (East china)

When you’re at a dumpling bar and when you’re with Mr NQN there is really no choice other than to order dumplings. We start  with the Shao Long Baos. At first glance I’m a little crestfallen. Half of the little buggers seem deflated as soon as they set them down and sure enough they’re bereft of soup. Disappointing. We pick up a plump one that looks to be full of soup and that is much better, the lovely ginger flavour coming through. They’re very similar to the ones at Shanghai Night although the mince in a Shanghai Night dumpling is firmer whereas this mince is softer. Other than that they could be doppelgängers (down to the soupless ones which we’ve experienced at Shanghai Night too). They are also more expensive here though.

Wontons with hot chilli  sauce $8.80 (Szechuan)

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