A Hidden Gem in Voronezh: Clouds Restaurant Delights with Food and View
We stumbled upon Clouds, a quirky restaurant in Voronezh, and it was a breath of fresh air – both figuratively and literally. If you're worried about prices, don't be; they're quite reasonable, no overpriced nonsense.
Hello to all the good people on my review page!
The location is situated in a shopping mall on the eighth floor. I'm not sure what it's like during the day, but the view at night is simply stunning. You can't even imagine a more romantic spot for a chill-out session. Just picture this: you're sitting there, and the whole world is at your feet. And as the song goes:
Sitting on a cloud, with your legs dangling down, calling each other by name.
Getting there won't be a problem, even if it's not a famous Lizyukova Street – it's still right in the heart of Voronezh, center of the city, you can't get any more central than this.
I'm not one of those picky customers who freaks out over every little thing – I don't scrutinize the dust on light fixtures or get worked up over crumbs on the floor. But I do pay attention to the small details, because it's those tiny things that shape the overall atmosphere. So, I've structured my review to highlight the details that usually make or break a dining experience.
DESIGN
First off, I loved the design. We went in the evening, and it was like 'wow' – the whole place is like a fantasy movie set. You can tell the decorators did a great job, everything's in the same style, modern, no velvet drapes, and it's like you just woke up and found yourself on the edge of reality. In short, it's pure eye-candy – all those details are simply captivating, and you can either get lost in the atmosphere or spend hours admiring the decorations.
I was in heaven when I started snapping photos of my life at this place. Every square inch of the cafe is a great backdrop for your Instagram-worthy shots.
The music is soothing and not too loud, so it's perfect for any taste. Plus, they have a DJ to keep the vibe going.
I loved that the tables were far enough apart. I hate it when you're at a cafe and you're right next to the people you're trying to have a conversation with, and their conversations are super loud.
FOOD
When it comes to the food, I can only speak for myself. Any dish starts with a visual appeal - you have to want to take a bite just by looking at it. I really loved how they presented the dishes in a cloud-like way - it's modern and not too fussy with the usual mayo-based salads and carrot-and-cucumber garnishes.
The menu is all about European cuisine, but sushi lovers won't be disappointed either. I've come to the realization that a restaurant's menu shouldn't be a laundry list of everything under the sun. It should have a few signature dishes that people will come for. Clouds has got it right - the menu is extensive and varied, but they didn't just include everything for the sake of it.
Clouds has some really original dishes, like the duck tartare and the fish in a macadamia crust. They're not just trying to be unique with weird ingredients, but also with unexpected combinations of normal ingredients. And they pull it off!
For the super fussy foodies out there, they've even got sea urchins and oysters on the menu, but we gave that part of the meal a miss. It's definitely a dish for the adventurous, so we didn't bother. And to be honest, I've had oysters on the Mediterranean coast before, and they're just not that impressive – I think they're all the same wherever you get them.
We really enjoyed the fact that everything on the menu was absolutely delicious, and it was a real culinary experience that you can't replicate at home. Unfortunately, these days I find myself thinking, 'I could make this at home' when I'm out at a restaurant or cafe. I'm not a great cook, but I love experimenting with new recipes – it's my hobby. So when you're paying for a meal, you want to try something you can't get anywhere else. The chef really pulled out all the stops here, and we were blown away by the food. Even something as simple as a bruschetta with shrimp was like a culinary masterpiece – not just some toasted bread with a few toppings slapped on top.
DRINKS
We stuck to the house-made liqueurs and cocktails, which were all really tasty – not too strong, more like drinks for girls. I'm not a fan of spirits in my drinks, but these were completely undetectable, with a fantastic flavor. My favorite was the cherry liqueur – sweet, syrupy, and perfect for a cold winter's day. The others were all pretty great too.
Even the tea was a bespoke blend – not just some random tea leaves in a teapot. We didn't get to try the desserts, sadly – we were too full.
The lemonade was no ordinary lemonade – it was a creative concoction with some added herbs and citrus notes that really worked well together.
Prices
The price-quality ratio here is spot on, and you won't regret shelling out the cash for these amazing experiences.
Averaging around 700 rubles for a salad, but let's be real, this is no ordinary salad – it's something like a sweet and sour pork that you've never had at a friend's place or your mom's cooking.
And of course, the toilet. That's just as important as the kitchen. A dirty or stinky toilet can kill the vibe of a meal. Luckily, this place has got it right – you can walk in without batting an eye.
Service
Service-wise, we're on the same page – it's just as crucial as the food. Our server, a lovely girl, was attentive, friendly, and genuinely interested in making sure we were happy. She'd check in regularly to see if everything was okay, and it felt like a warm hug. It was professional, subtle, and exactly what I'd expect from great service.
I'm not a fan of waiting ages for my food to arrive, but I'm equally wary of it being served in seconds (that's just not appetizing). We had a reasonable wait time – long enough to build anticipation, but not so long that it became annoying.
There's a shisha lounge, but I'm not a fan – at least they've separated the smokers from the rest of us.
Overall Experience
I've got to say, I left feeling totally impressed, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Their menu and atmosphere turn dinner into something special, not just a meal. We totally vibed with the place, so I'm giving them a solid 5 stars.