Say hello to the new kid on the block that’s making waves in Hawthorn East with their fine Vietnamese fare. St. Cloud Eating House is where it’s at and it’s not hard to see why crowds keep flocking back. I must admit I’m not normally one for Vietnamese cuisine, my taste buds are a little temperamental towards exotic flavours, but I was eager to give St. Cloud a go for a special Valentine’s Day treat.
They say first impressions are everything and when I walked through the front door into the restaurant’s hawker style ground level any disdain I felt for Vietnamese food dissipated instantly! Everything just looked so good.
My boyfriend and I were seated on level one where you’ll find a crisper and calmer vibe matched with an adjoining outdoor sanctuary. Simply said I thought if the food matches the stunning interior then I’m sold!
We ummed and ahhed over the menu with tempting choices including Fresh Rice Paper Rolls, Pho, Banh Mi, and mains and salads. The added bonus here for those who are a little more health conscious is that the majority of dishes are gluten free, vegans are well catered for and St. Cloud also supports Victorian farmers.
With my novice palate we opted for a Vaneltine’s Day tasting menu that featured a little bit of everything, plus I picked the Rude Panda cocktail because who could pass it up with a quirky name like that.
With friendly and efficient service we worked our way through our three-course feast as we quickly discovered the food certainly lives up to its surrounds! Everything was just so fresh, wholesome and full of flavour.
So the million-dollar question is am I a Vietnamese cuisine convert following my visit to St. Cloud? Well, I’m happy to report I would go back in a heartbeat for those prawn and pork belly rice paper rolls, the crispy skin salmon and slaw salad, and with many more tantalising menu options to try I’m sure to go back for seconds.
St. Cloud
644 Burwood Rd
Hawthorn East
(03) 9882 0146
OPEN Tues-Sunday.
Lunch 11.30am-2.30pm
Dinner 5.30pm-10pm
