Image credit: Lotus Story
A refined new Vietnamese restaurant has arrived in the heart of lively Melbourne Street, and it has been put together with meticulous attention to detail.
Lotus Story opened its doors this month, bringing a fresh take on Vietnamese cuisine, taking notes from the elegance of French gastronomy while honouring Vietnamese tradition. A stunning modern Vietnamese interior ties the experience together, and in an industry where first impressions count, you’ll enter delighted by the aroma and interior design.
Chloe Pham, part of the restaurant’s management team, says, “As you walk into the restaurant, you feel a nostalgic, warm sensation. It reminds me of childhood and visiting Vietnamese restaurants with my family. It brings back memories and a feeling of comfort.”
A lot of that has been purposeful, with the venue sourcing bespoke furniture directly from Vietnam, bringing about an authentic, upscale dining experience. Intricate details and flourishes add to the overall feel. “Many of the decorations are inspired by traditional Vietnamese elements,” Chloe tells us.
It leans into luxe, but keeps things relaxed. “It’s more than casual dining, but not quite fine dining.” Chloe explains. “It feels special and elegant.”
“The restaurant is very inclusive and reflects Vietnamese culture and heritage,” Chloe says. “We have tried to emulate that nostalgic and familiar feeling with the restaurant.”
The food nods to the team’s diverse Vietnamese heritage, too. Chloe adds that the menu is doing something quite unique in bringing together the dynamic flavours of Vietnam’s geographic regions.
“I’m from the south of Vietnam, in Saigon,” Chloe says. “Our restaurant manager, Aaron Chu, is from the north, near Hanoi, and our owner, Elvis Pham has roots in both the north and south. So together, we represent the whole of Vietnam.”
As such, the elegance of the north, boldness of the centre, and sweetness of the south, is stirred into each dish. And there’s nothing more elegant, bold, and sweet, than Lotus Story’s signature dish. A staple of Vietnamese fare, the venue has reimagined Phở Bò Tái Lăn with thin cuts of premium beef flash-seared to unlock a rich, smoky umami character, eased into a clear, fragrant broth. As it cooks for hours, notes of beef bone, star anise, and cinnamon transform into a complex broth. To finish, characteristic of Vietnamese cooking, fresh herbs, spring onion, and a drizzle of rich garlic oil garnish the dish.
Elsewhere on the menu, the Vietnamese–French fusion shines through, with Suan Bò Sốt Vang (red wine braised short ribs), tender, red wine slow-cooked ribs with star anise and tomato, complete with a baguette. You can even order a Vietnamese take on the fillet mignon. The dish is served on a sweet potato puree, with velvety mushroom sauce and winter vegetables. To finish, the restaurant serves playful Vietnamese reimaginings of classic desserts. On offer is a banana flambé with coconut cream and a ginger-infused crème brûlée.
This is Vietnamese food with heart, history and style, served up in one of Adelaide’s most vibrant inner-suburbs streets. The restaurant is now open with lunch and dinner sittings from Wednesday to Monday.
Lotus Story
Where: 83 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
When: Wednesday – Monday 11am – 3pm, 5 – 9pm
For more information, click here.
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