Uncle an instant hit

St Kilda welcomed Vietnamese diner Uncle last week, with an insta-queue forming down Carlisle Street.

According to owner Rene Spence (ex The Smith), the fish banh mi and the pho are ''going crazy'', the work of chef Dai Duong (ex-Dandelion) who's running the kitchen.

Foolscap Studio designed the restaurant with a nod to Vietnam - reds, yellows, burnt oranges and bamboo furniture.

It's an upstairs-downstairs, 110-seater with a bar, dining room and rooftop terrace just built for summer.

Uncle: 188 Carlisle Street, St Kilda. Phone: 9041 2668 unclestkilda.com.au