When a work collegue told me about the current exhibition at the White Rabbit Gallery it took a few weeks of procrastinating before I eventually made my way there. It’s not that I didn’t want to go, it just wasn’t a priority.
2011 is the Year of the Rabbit so it’s no wonder the current collection at the White Rabbit is named A Decade of the Rabbit. It’s a fascinating exhibition of contemporary works from a bunch of Chinese artists with pieces such as a sprawling city made of porcelain, delicate tunics that are actually knitted paper and a woven wire Jeep that has you shaking your head at its intricate construction. Aside from the artworks I’m really loving the space of this four-level gallery; all white walls, high ceilings, and an airy well-lit teahouse on the ground floor.
To be honest I haven’t been to many teahouses, thanks to preferring the java, but the few I have spent time in all had a comforting quality about them. The one at White Rabbit is one such place. A cloud of various Chinese bird cages hangs from the ceiling and every-so-often the lofty space echoes with the soft chirps of birds. Nice touch. Being a coffee drinker made the selection of Chinese-grown teas a little daunting so I go with one that sounds pretty – chrysanthemum and goji berry tea. This tisane supposedly detoxifies the body and nourishes the eyes and should be sweetened by the small lumps of rock sugar that are provided. It’s served in a clear glass pot that displays the rehydrated flowers and berries and after allowing it to infuse, it only developed a skerrick of flavour when I got to the last dregs. I was beginning to crave coffee.
Mr K chooses the lu xue ya, otherwise known as snow bud green tea and as he is pouring it into the cute little cup I started thinking about the tea that is served in cafe’s. I’m not a tea drinker but what makes it acceptable to serve up teabags? If cafe’s started churning out instant coffee they’d go broke in a second but somehow teabags are considered ok. Seems like a bit of a cop-out to me.
The teahouse serves up a few edibles to have with your infusions such as sweet or savoury snack plates and two varieties of steamed dumplings – egg & chive and chicken, corn & mushroom. They come served with a side of soy sauce and dried chilli in oil and sadly the innards are as subtle in flavour as the teas. I’m guessing people come here for the tea.
Now, lets find somewhere that makes coffee.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Those tunics knitted from telephone book paper are amazing, as are a lot of the other exhibits. Definitely one of the best galleries in Sydney. Haven’t had anything to eat downstairs though and I don’t think I will.
The bird cage theme is becoming quite widespread! Reminds me of Hanoi…
Tina@foodboozeshoes recently posted..Shirt Bar- Hanging with the suits and shirts
I think every time I visit your blog I end up with a craving for dumplings…
I don’t normally order tea at cafes/restaurants only because I don’t want to have to pay the same price of a coffee for hot water and a teabag; it does seem a little bogus. This looks like a nice place but doesn’t seem like there’s anything worth trying.
This looks like a lovely spot – I LOVE those birdcages hanging from the ceiling, and I don’t mind a pot of tea, though I hardly seem to drink it.
Miss Piggy recently posted..Sitney Thai- Parramatta
omg this place is adorable! the glass tea pot is so purrrdy
have to pay this place a visit!
I quite like the clean look of this place and it’s nice to see such a spacious place too! I’d be keen to give this place a go
Maria @ Scandifoodie recently posted..Buckwheat and spelt pancakes with chai poached pear and cardamom sauce
I like tea, but it’s pretty easy and cheap to make myself. I would only go there if they served coffee, lol.
Susan recently posted..Triple Chocolate Brownies
I’d label myself as a tea drinker more than a coffee drinker but still the vibe of this place is too knitting lady-style for my taste.
Gaby recently posted..Review- Pulsation Cafe
The bird cages are gorgeous.
Sara & Belly Rubmles recently posted..KFC for breakfast anyone
I would take coffee over tea any day, but for those beautifully displayed bird cages, I would try this place (even for their tea only).
This made me crave for good old dumplings and tea! Blame my Chinese roots
Helena @ Foodyphile recently posted..Ryo’s Ramen- Crows Nest
I’m guessing because you didn’t comment much on the dumplings that you also didn’t like the fact that they boil their dumplings.