Thursday 28 February 2013

ACLAND ST CANTINA - LAUNCH PARTY

The Melbourne Pub Group have had a prolific run lately.  Apart from the relaunch of Circa, the Albert Park Hotel and Middle Park Hotel, they made their first foray into the So-Cal Mexican scene with the ultra trendy Newmarket Hotel.  Their latest addition, the Acland St Cantina, housed under the Prince of Wales (where the wine store used to be) is another Mexican inspired venue, with a less steak heavy menu to differentiate it from the Newmarket.  

Being in the basement, ASC is a little bit mazey, which can work both for and against you.  It wasn't obvious to us when we entered where the main area was, however as we explored the space we found a good balance of large bar/dining areas complemented by booths/tables that were tucked away for privacy.  I like that you can have a good time in the main area drinking, then turn the volume down by moving to a more intimate space to talk. 

As far as launch parties go, this was a great one.  It's hard to say no to a revolving door of Paul Wilson's Mexican Tapas, washed down with Coronas, Mexican soft drinks and endless margherita options.  

Apologies for the quality of the pics, but iphones and basement lighting aren't a great combination.  

Given the large quantity of food we sampled it's hard to give a detail review of each one, however the following for me were standouts:

Zucchini flower quesadillas veracruz style - Beautifully well balanced with beautiful tortilia texture. 


Small individual blue corn quesadillas filled with zucchini ragu, spinach, fundido sauce topped with jalapenos, radish, herbs, crema, black bean salsa - A lot going on here, but it all manages to come together in a harmonious fashion.  Ditto the beautiful tortilia texture here, I could eat a trayful of these easily.

Baja fish tacos wrap, crispy monkfish, snapper or blue eye strips, lime slaw, 2 sauces - Simple goodness.  The battered fish was light, crispy, and fresh.  Well balanced by the sauces (however I would have preferred more sauce).

Lamb empanadas w dark beer & mission fig mole - Dish of the night.  Lamb was exceptionally tender, pastry was thick but light, sweetness of the fig was a beautiful offset to the bitterness of the beer. 


A huge thank you to Jenny Brookes at MPG for the invitation


Entrance under the Prince of Wales Hotel
Menu at the front take away bar
Small Mexican providore at the front bar
Main bar/dining area
Kitchen working hard
Rear bar section
Baja style seafood ceviche
Baja fish tacos wrap, crispy monkfish, snapper or blue eye strips, lime slaw, 2 sauces
Chipotle shrimp tacos with green mango salad
Baja fish tacos wrap, crispy monkfish, snapper or blue eye strips, lime slaw, 2 sauces

Small individual blue corn quesadillas filled with zucchini ragu, spinach, fundido sauce topped with jalapenos, radish, herbs, crema, black bean salsa
Zucchini flower quesadillas veracruz style

Bocoles with seared scallops & sweet corn salsa
Tres Leche Cake with wild strawberries

Mini Churros tacos with salted caramel ice cream
The ASC Launch Menu

Ceviche bar


Baja style seafood ceviche

Mud crab & plantain ceviche

Bocaditos (Latin Appetisers)

Bocoles with seared scallops & sweet corn salsa

Bocoles ashed goats cheese & mission figs


Zucchini flower quesadillas veracruz style 


Small individual blue corn quesadillas filled with zucchini ragu, spinach, fundido sauce topped with jalapenos, radish, herbs, crema, black bean salsa

Wood bbq baby corn skewers, lime queso fresco sauce & coffee aioli

Chipotle shrimp tacos with green mango salad

Smallest tiger shrimp seasoned with achiote, adobe sauce, garnish with green mango & aromatic herb salad

Corn tamales with goat mole, bamboo cups topped with tamales stuffed with goat ragu & dressed with red mole sauce

Baja fish tacos wrap, crispy monkfish, snapper or blue eye strips, lime slaw, 2 sauces

Lamb empanadas w dark beer & mission fig mole

Dessert


Tres leche cake with wild strawberries


Mini cantina ice cream cups filled with prickly pear ice cream

Goats caramel flautas mini versions of cantina offering

Mini churros tacos with salted caramel ice cream



Acland St. Cantina on Urbanspoon

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