Out of everything there is one overriding reason to visit Circa (2 Acland Street St Kilda Victoria, 3182 Australia +61 3 9536 112) at The Prince in St Kilda: Pudding.
Specifically, the puddings of Philippa Sibley-Cooke and her interpretation of the snickers bar.
It’s big, it’s incredibly rich. It’s outrageous. On one hand I could argue that it’s too much for one person to eat. On the other hand I’d sneak back on my own and eat two.
But I don’t care being stuffed full of the first decent chocolate I ever discovered, Valhrona Manjari.
And this is what I dare you to do: visit Circa and just order pudding. And pudding. And pudding. Nothing more. Heck, I may do it myself.
Any sticky wine will be dwarfed by this beautiful monstrosity. Instead, order an ice-cold spirit. The night I visited we order an eau de biere, which was an excellent match.
Of course, if you are a little more conventional Circa still has plenty to offer and did before Sibley-Cooke joined the team and became the pudding queen.
Circa is on the first floor of the designer hotel The Price. After a home flood I was lucky enough to live there for a couple of weeks. It really is pretty cool.
The first floor dining room is ringed by white leather banquets and tables illuminated by a single overhead lamp. Theatrical lighting on scaffolding illuminated the remainder of the room, which is always graced with a gigantic stylish flower arrangement.
The wine list here is excellent and the sommelier knowledgeable and helpful. Describe your likes and dislikes and tell them your budget and I’ll slow cook by jack Russell if you are not satisfied.
The food too is excellent. I’ve always dismissed chicken for pussies (I hear cock has more flavour). But the main course chicken breast with yabbies was among the most succulent I have ever tasted.
The starter of pork with scallops is a lesson in synergy for the management types who were celebrating tonight.
The Western Australian marron and rockfish braise with saffron, harissa oil and Sardinian couscous was worth every bit of $38.00.
And I return to the women whose arts I fantasize over. The women who also made the best Clafoutis I’ve ever eaten. Anybody got her phone number?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Phoarh! (drooooool)
Exactly.
Oh wow,
that will definately be on the list next time I am in Mexico
We shared a Snickers dish at Crica recently, but we *seriously* contemplated ordering a second…
Our waitress gleefully told us that a few weeks prior to our visit, one of Circa’s fridges had broken down, and the staff were forced to eat several Snickers puddings…
That’s no pudding! Dessert, Ed, dessert! You’re in Australia now, kiddo
But seriously, it looks incredible, and well worth putting Circa high on my list.
Lordy. That snickers looks divine. Definitely on my list next time I visit Melbourne.
Niki, I’m afraid I also go to the lavatory, say what (instead of pardon) , eat lunch, supper and, as ever, lots of pudding ; )
Sue and Clare – How about when we have the first Australia wide food/cat/dog/herb/chicken bloggers meet we do it over this pudding, sorry dessert.
Your on
Sounds like a brilliant idea – a food bloggers convention. Could be terrible for the ever expanding waistline though.
So the time has come.