Cho Gao

From Melpedia

Cho Gao Official Image

Cho Gao.jpg

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.

Street View of Cho Gao

== Flickr Images of Cho Gao ==