Modern Dragon Chinese Restaurant

Pizza Hut is offering daily deals on their pizza, and they are truly super dealsToday was the Canadian which has pepperoni, bacon and mushroom.

The Modern Dragon is a great little find. The service is exceptional, especially considering the restaurant is operated by one person, a lovely elderly Chinese man. The restaurant is authentic, the sweet and sour pork is fantastic, as are the prawn crackers (these are the best I have had) and the atmosphere is relaxed and homely; all around a winner. The décor is dated but I would not be surprised to learn it was indicative of your average Chinese restaurant in China. There are soda selections for the kids and it is BYO drink anything you please. As one of only two restaurants in DB we will certainly choose this when deciding where to eat out in town.

I really don't know how to describe this small restaurant. Walked in and was greeted by a friendly man, no problem there, however one look around the restaurant and I suddenly remembered I had another appointment elsewhere, which is a shame because I was really hungry and the chef could probably cook real authentic meals, however I couldn't get past the décor and clutter everywhere and the bag of rice at the front door.

By the time we had settled into our accommodation at the nearby Donnybrook Motel Motor Lodge and spent a few hours at the Apple Fun Park we went in search of dinner. It was a Tuesday night and there did not appear to be much open at this time. During our previous visit we ordered Eagle Boys pizza but it would seem that they had shut down and been replaced with a local pizzeria (albeit closed). I spotted the uninspiring exterior of the local Chinese eatery and thought I'd pick up something for the young family.Upon entering the shop the owner (and by all accounts the only staff member working that night), a middle aged Oriental man, politely greeted me and waited patiently as I scanned the menu and discussed options with my wife via mobile phone. We ordered steamed rice, fried rice, lemon chicken, sweet and sour pork and szechuan beef. Prices seemed comparable to metro establishments. I was told it would take 30 minutes in which time he disappeared out the back to the sounds of clanging pots and pans.The restaurant itself was very uninspiring. Very dated. Basic furniture. A little cupboard that appeared to be where the glasses were kept; that also housed a vintage collection of soft drink cans and a radio from the 1970's. A handful of hanging Chinese inspired light fittings was the only giveaway as to the sort of establishment this was.Make no mistake, I REALLY wanted this meal to be a knockout so that I could write a killer review and ensure people knew not to judge a book by its cover. I liked the guy behind the counter and given there was no one in the restaurant I was hoping I'd be his success for the night. Sadly it was not to be. The fried rice tasted unusual, the lemon chicken was chewy and overpowered by the sauce and the sweet & sour pork was tougher still. The beef dish was ok but not sufficient to make up for the rest of the meal. Had this been really cheap then it would be somewhat forgivable but as stated earlier prices seemed comparable with metro shops. I guess if you don't get much business you need to make money where you can.Another unusual sight was a bag of rice on the floor next to the front door. The cynic in me joked whether this was a sacrificial bag to keep nasties away from the rest of the food. Who knows, but it wasn't a particularly good look for a restaurant.I'm sure many businesses in small towns do it tough, but sadly I don't think it will get better for the Modern Dragon Chinese Restaurant in its current state. I hope I'm wrong, because it's good for such towns to have choice.

The Modern Dragon is a wonderful little find. The service is exceptional, especially considering the restaurant is run by a lovely elderly Chinese man. The food is authentic, with the sweet and sour pork being particularly delicious, along with the crackers (the best I've ever had). The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, truly a hidden gem. The décor may be a bit outdated, but it adds to the charm of this average Chinese restaurant in China. They offer a variety of sodas for children and you can bring your own drinks. With only two restaurants in the area, this will be our go-to choice for dining in the city.