Pink Chopstix
When it comes to cuisine, we’re pretty spoilt for choice at Darwin Waterfront. No matter the fare you're on the fang for, there’s a restaurant for that, with everything from pizza and aperitivos to laksa and coconut crushies to schnitties and beer.
By Tierney Seccull
Well, food-lovin' friends, there's a new kid on the block. Pink Chopstix has thrown open the doors to dish out delicious modern Chinese dishes by the water’s side. Located on Wharf 2, this exciting new restaurant fills a longtime vacant space with festoon lights and bright neon signs, the décor a simple palette of shades of grey, black, and hot “Barbie” pink.
It’s the first dine-in restaurant for proud owner Dorris Lin, who also runs One Waffle & Two Peck at Cas Square, which recently opened a second store at Gateway. This passion for bringing people together and dishing out delicious food runs in the family.
“My father was a head chef for 38 years, and my family moved to Darwin in 2008 so I grew up here – I went to middle school and high school before moving to Adelaide to go to university,” she says.
After staying on in Adelaide for three years after uni, Dorris popped back to visit her beloved Darwin in what ended up being quite the life-changing trip.
“The reason I moved back is because I met my husband, Rio, in Darwin. He’s been working in Japanese cuisine for 10 years now, so I don’t know if it was destiny, but we both had family with the restaurant background,” she says.
“I came back for a Christmas holiday and I met him, here at the Waterfront. And on the first of June this year, we had our wedding right here, at the restaurant. This is why we decided on this spot to be our restaurant – we love this spot, it’s given me a lot, it’s given me a husband!”
In turn, she’s giving us a lot. With father Heng and husband Rio on the tools, supported by a well-oiled restaurant team, fresh flavours are plated up and devoured by delighted restaurant-goers every night of the week.
Signature dishes include mud crab, seafood platter and whole fish, all seafood sourced from local fisherman. You can also enjoy a range of starters, like satay chicken and house made dumplings, mains of stir fries and soups, and if you’re up for a bit of everything, you can opt for the Feed Me menu.
The bar also tempts with a wide range of cocktails, spirits, wine and beer to whet your whistle. Regardless of what you dine or sip on, Dorris hopes you all walk away with full bellies, feeling well looked after. And maybe a little bit in love.
“I just love Darwin. We have very beautiful sunsets, we’ve got very special views of the Waterfront – and I just want more people to enjoy Darwin, love Darwin. Good food can bring the people all together.”
WHEN THU-SUN | 5.30-10PM MON-WED | 5.30-9.30PM
AT DARWIN WATERFRONT
INFO facebook.com/pinkchopstixwaterfront
Thumbnail & inset: Dorris Lin & her husband, chef Rio Lu
