During Melbourne’s long winter months, nothing beats the crackle and warmth of a roaring fire and nowhere is that more inviting than on St Kilda’s foreshore at Captain Baxter.
Highly regarded as one of Melbourne’s hottest summer venues, the transeasonal beachside cocktail and lounge bar can now lay claim to also being the perfect winter hangout, thanks to a recently installed natural gas fireplace.
Captain Baxter’s floor to ceiling windows provide uninterrupted bay views, which will prove a huge drawcard during the cooler weather, as nothing’s more romantic, relaxing or inviting than retreating to a warm, cosy fire that overlooks the sea. It’s the ideal place for an intimate gathering, or a get-together with friends and family to enjoy some of Melbourne’s best winter cocktails and small or large tasting plates.
Co-owner and Executive Chef Matt Dawson has put together an autumn / winter menu that will warm the soul. Locally farmed Silver Lake Smoked Eel, on the menu since Captain Baxter opened its doors in November 2012, has been one of the venue’s most popular dishes. The autumn/winter dish of smoked eel pate, maple jelly, eel carpaccio, rye toast and sorrel is necessary try ($17.00, is perfect served with a glass of Mount Macleod, Gippsland, Chardonnay 2010, $10.00).
The large plate of rabbit, pancetta rolled loin, braised leg, onions and radicchio ($31.00, perfect served with a glass of Lana II Nostro Gallo, King Valley, Sangiovese 2010, $11.50), and the slow cooked lamb shoulder, green tomato, preserved lemon, pomegranate and yoghurt will simply melt in your mouth ($32.00, is perfect served with a glass of Jones Road, Mornington Peninsula, Pinot 2010, $12.50).
You’ll regret it if you don’t leave room for dessert; a toss-up between the pecan pie ($13.50 best served with Campbell’s Topaque, Rutherglen $9.50 per glass, $55 per bottle) or the cheese – Bleu des Basques, Pyrenees, France with figs and house made crackers ($15.00 best served with the Wild Duck Creek Estate, Heathcote, Yellow, Hammer Hill, Shiraz Malbec, 2010 $10.50 or $55 per bottle).
The cocktail list continues to play on the history and stories of St Kilda, inspired by one of the suburb’s founding fathers, Captain Benjamin Baxter. Bar manager, David van Iersel has designed cocktails to match including the Lady Grange Cocktail ($18), the Dick & Moon Sour ($17.50), the Rum Runner ($17.50) as well as the Captain’s Mulled Cider Cocktail ($10.00).
Visitors to Captain Baxter can enjoy their after dinner drinks by the warm glow of the fire that’s perfectly positioned within the lounge area. Framed by a beautiful Carrara hearth, the fireplace is also surrounded by sumptuous leather seating and plush velvet bolster cushions, making it easy to appreciate why Captain Baxter is St Kilda’s best new winter venue.
Captain Baxter’s weekly fare is Thursday 5-7pm happy hour, with live tunes from 7pm (open 5pm til late); Friday 5-7pm happy hour with live tunes from 6pm (open 12 noon til late); Saturday live tunes from 4pm (open 12 noon til late); and Sunday live tunes from 2pm (open 12 noon til late). Captain Baxter is closed Monday-Wednesday.
Captain Baxter is located within the St Kilda Sea Baths precinct, above Republica at 10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda. For bookings, or to keep in touch with the latest St Kilda venues specials, events and activities phone (03) 8534 8959 or log onto www.stkildavenues.com.au.
