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, you are hit by the delicious aroma of Sichuan (and chilli), tantalising your senses. Dainty Sichuan provides a culinary experience through one China’s most flavoursome provinces. It’s a haven for Melburnian chilli lovers as the intense spices are well-balanced and keep their audience captivated with every mouthful.

The entrance has a tranquil fountain and a happy Buddha seated at a table, waving his fan as if cooling himself from the heat. Once inside, thick wooden tables add to the traditional Chinese decor and have a dedicated hotplate for the acclaimed Chongqing hot pots. Ants climbing trees, a glass-noodle dish is a favourite, while the fierce Chongqing chicken (fried chicken hidden under a mountain of chilli) keeps taste buds on their metaphorical toes.

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