If there’s anything which clearly signals that this spot knows its Southeast Asian cuisine, it’s the table setting which is composed of just a fork and a spoon—the utensils of choice for eating the region’s soupy, saucy dishes. The Clouds, a new addition to the restaurants on Taikang Lu, serves a trendy mix of dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and even the Philippines. Prices are high-end, but are justified by the excellent service and obvious attention to detail that went into decorating the place.

Most of the waitstaff speak a good amount of English and are very attentive, coming over at the slightest wave of the hand, and the food is held to a similarly high standard. Packed with tender shrimp, clams and delicate white fish, the tom yum with seafood (RMB78) is a real winner. The laksa (RMB58) which followed is curiously labeled “Vietnamese,” but they make no mistakes with it, getting the light curry and coconut milk flavors just right. And you can’t eat your way through Southeast Asia without at least one crab dish, so go for the Singaporean fried glass noodle served with fried crab in black pepper sauce (RMB128).

There are a couple of Asian desserts on the menu—one Thai and one Filipino—but we were curious about their cheesecakes. In general, cheesecake is the French onion soup of the dessert world: a no-brainer you can always count on being mediocre. But, light and silky, the blueberry cheesecake (RMB35) was a delicious exception to the rule. This is one meal that had us floating in the clouds.

Our rating: 4/5

DETAILS

What: The Clouds

Where: 200 Taikang Lu 泰康路200号

Tel: 6466-8978

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