After closing the doors of their Collingwood den, it wasn’t long before Dainty Sichuan resurfaced in Corrs Lane. Three years later, popularity demanded a new location for the chilli house, which has since graced Toorak Road with its less than dainty cuisine.

Walking into the restaurant, the first thing that hits you is the delicious aromas of Sichuan and chilli, tantalising your senses and preparing you for a culinary experience through one China’s most flavoursome provinces. Dainty Sichuan provides a haven for Melbournian chilli lovers, where the intense spices are well balanced and keep their audience captivated with every mouthful.

The entranceway hosts a tranquil fountain and a happy Buddha seated at a table, waving his fan as if cooling himself from the heat. Thick wooden tables add to the traditional Chinese décor and have a dedicated hotplate for the acclaimed Chongqing hot pots. A glass noodle dish named ‘ant’s climbing trees’ is a favourite while the fierce Chongqing chicken – fried chicken hidden under a mountain of chilli – keeps taste buds on their toes.

Bring your own wine or wet your palate with a cleansing Tsing Tao – you’ll need it.