As the youngest sibling in a big multicultural family,Moonhouse is suitably confident,charming and a little bit fun. The three-year-old from Commune Group (Hanoi Hannah,Firebird,Studio Amaro) delivers a playful twist on classic Chinese,its crew as at home - slinging chilli-coriander margaritas as they are wrapping pancakes around plump roast duck and peach hoisin.

Tofu two ways regularly converts sceptics:crunchy fried cubes with ginger relish,and silken tofu whipped with Sichuan vinegar. Mirror dory fillet is brittle-skinned in chilli black bean broth,and morning glory feels the breath of the wok.

Drinks are almost all Aussie,and the handsome parquet-floored former bank swings easily from weekend yum cha to after-dark feasts. Attentive staff keep the dining room,lit by a constellation of moon-shaped orbs,humming.

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Where to dine in St Kilda,Balaclava,Windsor,Prahran and surrounds

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