If there's one thing this city does better than football and bad weather, it's great restaurants. In a metropolis that prides itself on its gastronomic culture, the abundance of restaurants means you're never at a loss for a great meal and the only thing you're pondering before you head out is where to actually head to.
Cho Gao, established in the unlikely locale of Melbourne Central, is one of those aforementioned great restaurants. Vietnamese for 'rice market', this stunning restaurant has managed to trump its shopping centre counterparts and is all about class without a whiff of food-court schmuck.
Appealing to a wide demographic, Cho Gao channels South-East Asian chic, creating an almost palpable sense of style with its rustic charm, low-lit interior and traditional-meets-contemporary decor. Boasting a 20-metre balcony that overlooks the State Library, the breezy atmosphere is matched by the restaurant's easy elegance, while the melting pot of cultures that have influenced the menu makes this find taste as good as it looks.
The modest selection of mains won't overwhelm you but the flavours in the dishes are so pronounced that you'll no doubt find a favourite and find it in your heart to forgive them. Traditional dishes such as the pad Thai make an expected appearance but the red chicken curry with string beans and lychees is certainly one not to be overlooked.
A healthy range of made-to-share dishes can be eaten alone or used to augment your main, and with signature dishes such as the duck pancakes up for grabs, it's easy to overlook the sensibilities of a prudent diet and stuff yourself silly before the night is through.
Penny Wedesweiler
Open
m
t
w
t
f
s
s
Breakfast
Lunch
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Dinner
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Late
O
O
Sun-Thu noon-11pm Fri-Sat noon-1am
Asian, Thai and Vietnamese
Entree: $8.50-$19.50
Mains: $18.50-$29
Dessert: $5.50-$29
Set menu:
3 courses,
$35
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and EFTPOS
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
Seats 350
Outside dining area
Wheelchair access
and wheelchair-accessible toilets
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
elonie
|
5 March 2008, 9.19pm
Friendly maitre'd and relaxed atmosphere
We were disappointed that the duck red curry was not available that night. We ordered the chicken red curry instead, with pad Thai and Vietnamese chicken salad and sour condiments. The food was yummy except the Vietnamese chicken salad, which was only average. The cocktail was very nice and had an Asian touch. Dining out with a young child is not easy, but the maitre'd was very friendly and made us feel very comfortable.
Food:
Visit: Sat 1 March 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
nikski
|
4 March 2008, 1.37pm
Great food but bad experience
The food was great. We had the banquet. I was disappointed though when I opened the cute fortune cookie to see a "2 for one" voucher. After ordering 2 cocktails I was told that was for the next visit and to cough up $35. Surely terms and conditions should be printed on them or for repeat business you would honour it at the time.
Food:
Visit: Thu 15 November 2007
Service:
Atmosphere:
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