Howard 6 August 2008 South African No Comment  Print This Post  Email This Post

After last weeks success at Shangcheng Hot Pot, the project team decided to make it a regular gathering every Friday for lunch. It was KB’s turn to recommended his personal favourite, and his eyes instantly lit up with silhouettes of ribs. There was only one place in his mind for the ‘best’ ribs, and that was at Hurricanes.

Hurricanes has been the default selection for many meat lovers, especially for ribs. Their ribs are basted in a special rib sauce, apparently from South African origin. Some people also prefer Tony Roma’s for ribs, it’s a bit like Nandos vs Oportos and Pizza Hut vs Pizza Haven. One thing was for sure, I didn’t care who made my ribs , I just needed a cure for my starvation.

The weaponry ready for battle

I have zero tolerance for restaurants who offer inadequate cutlery for the food they serve. Luckily for Hurricanes they are an exception and I was impressed with their steak knife.

Complimentary bread & butter

Much like Tony Roma’s , complimentary bread and butter is served while you wait for your order. The one thing that would have made this more appealing was if the bread was slightly warm.

Coke ($14 per jug)

Usually I don’t comment too much on drinks, but I had to voice my disappointment at the quality of the ‘coke’ which we ordered. We ordered 2 jugs and they both tasted different. It was obvious that it was mixed at the premises (I don’t have a problem with that) and one jug was terrifyingly sweet and the other jug tasted like home brand diet coke (nothing wrong with homebrand, but I expected more from coke which costs $14 per jug). I thought this inconsistency was slightly disappointing. My sentiments were also echoed by the various other coke addicts at the table.

CHICKEN & RIB : A half CHICKEN Portuguese Style and a half rack of PORK ribs ($38)

Judging by my comments so far, you might be thinking I have something against Hurricanes. The truth of the matter is, these shortfalls are only minor blemishes of our Hurricanes experience. The ribs, even though only half in portion were a substantial size. Tender pieces of pork basted in a ’secret’ bbq sauce was engulfed with a slighty charcoal / bbq flavour. The meat came right off the bone with every bite. There is only one way to eat ribs mind you, and that is with your hands.

Monkey gland sauce ($2)

Sauce on the side comes at an extra cost, they make a nice accompaniment.

Portugese style half chicken

If you’ve had Nando’s or Oporto’s chicken before, you will have a fair idea of how the chicken is flavoured. The Hurricanes Portugese flavoured chicken has a similiar taste, albeit slightly spicier. As expected the thigh was very tender but I found the breast very dry and tough. The flavour was fantastic though, I found myself constantly dipping my chips into the remains of the sauce and juices of the chicken.

Having frequented Tony Roma’s regularly over the years (even in Japan) I must say that both Hurricane’s and Tony Roma’s bring different offerings for rib lovers.

Tony Romas : Softer and more tender pork, falls straight off the bone. Sauce is slightly sweeter and thicker.

Hurricanes : Smokier , charcoal flavour and a little less tender but the meat still comes off the bone quite easily.

I might try the full rack next time , any excuse to bring me back will do.

Hurricanes Grill & Bar : Darling Harbour
Harbourside Shopping Centre
Shops 433-436, Level 2
Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
Ph: (02) 9211 2210
Web: www.hurricanesgrill.com.au

Opening hours: LUNCH 12pm till 3pm and DINNER 5.30pm till late - 7 days a week

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