Veludo

Ph: (03) 9534 4456; 175 Acland St, St Kilda 3182 www.veludo.com.au

mod oz-bar, $$ -
Open 7 days 8amlate; Licensed; AE DC MC V

Mietta's Review
Upon entering Veludo through its distinctive circular doorway there are two quite different choices available. At street level is a lounge-bar that extends back a long way to a brick and stone wall dominated by a contemporary-style open fireplace. In winter it throws out a chill-breaking warmth to those on the padded hearth seats of semi-circular lounges that face it. Sitting at the ostentatiously designed crescent-shaped bar is pretty popular too. If it's dining you want, ignore the noise of downstairs and head up the industrial steel staircase to an elegant rectangular space with polished floorboards and exposed red brick walls. One wall has large bold monochrome artworks dividing the area and at the front, above Acland Street, it's three quarter windows which fold back to really open the space up, making these tables prime seating during the summer months. At the rear is a comfortable waiting or pre-dinner drink area with cosy 1960s lounges and a large 360 degrees open fireplace reminiscent of a James Bond movie. It's usually busy here, with a mainly mid-30s clientele. Staff are friendly and efficient, but sometimes in short supply. The wine list is well constructed and the menu interesting though not extensive, with size of portions encouraging you to order three courses.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "Believe it or not, St Kilda is not all summer, all the time. Melbourne winters spare no suburb, so a good eatery sparkles in the sunshine and cossets in the cold"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "A wall of bottles, stone fireplace and warm interior lend character to Veludo but it's the attentive service and super-friendly staff that make this restaurant special."

The Age Cheap Eats 2006 By day, this all-trades place is busy serving punters hungry for big brekkies with hash browns, relish and other trimmings ... There's really something for everyone here, even speed-dating nights for singles (canapes included).

The Age, A2, 29/11/03, Melinda Houston,'This bayside staple has had a refit, and don't the punters love it. Classy, hapening, very St Kilda.'

Sunday Age, Eat Streets, 15/9/02 The Age, Sunday Life, 10/8/03, Roslyn Grundy,'the menu is well within the comfort zone.'