Dawn to Dusk @ ASC

Location: 2 Acland Street, St Kilda

Phone: (03) 9536 1175
Link: www.aclandstcantina.com.au
Cuisine: Mexican
Overall Impression: 9/10

From the early hours of the morning, to the wee hours of the night (and everything in between) Acland Street Cantina is always open and serving up quality Mexican fare. Because of this, Acland Street Cantina has become a bit of a "local" for us.

Despite visiting many cafes and restaurants over the years, Gastrology bloggers have rarely found a place where you can get an early morning breakfast, a lazy brunch, a delicious lunch, a spicy dinner,  or late night munchies all from the same place! 

Because of this, we thought we would share our experiences at ASC, from dawn to dusk.

9:00 am - breakfast

From the early hours of the morning until 11am everyday, ASC serves a delicious breakfast menu.

gingerbread hotcakes with caramelised pineapple and desert lime

poached organic eggs with smoked salmon

corn arepas rancheros style beans, pork belly, morcilla, chorizo poached or fried eggs 

12:30 pm - brunch/lunch

Lovers of Mexican fare that are bored by regular brunch options will rejoice at the ability to enjoy brunch with a tasty Mexican twist.

ASC's diner area is the perfect spot for a lazy brunch that is tasty, satisfying and interesting.

milawa chook & corn quesadilla 

baja med bbq vegetable salad w. heirloom tomatoes, bbq vegetables, oregano, olives, cojita cheese lime & evoo dressing served w. grilled skirt steak 

spinach quesadilla, wild mushrooms, ezpazote & huitlacoche crema

3:00 pm - afternoon delight

                  

Don't go past the café de olla which is a traditional Mexican coffee. This traditional coffee is sweet with a beautiful aromatic flavour courtesy of cinnamon and piloncillo - perfect for this winter weather!

And here are a few things to go with your teas and coffees...

prickly pear, organic banana and salted caramel ice cream (also available to go) 

dulce de leche scrolls 

pan de semita

7:30 pm - dinner

A sexy, gritty space devoted to the worship of Mexican food and drinks, combined with tunes from resident DJ Happy Juan, means ASC presents a seductive dinner proposition.

While there are many Mexican restaurants serving caricature, fast food versions of Mexican cuisine, the dishes at ASC display a sophistication, authenticity and attention to detail that makes it unrivalled in Melbourne.

Here are some of our favourite dinner dishes from ASC...

tasting plate of 3 moles

red mole with tallabrook goat, green mole with pork barbecua, black mole with duck 

pollo al horno

wood bbq chilli chicken with tomatillo verde 

huitlacoche tamales with green rice 

blue corn tacos with prawn, wild mushrooms and epazote 

wild mushroom and huitlachoche quesadillas with goat's cheese crema 

bohemia braised lamb short rib empanadas with mission fig black mole

And make sure you save space for dessert...

triple chocolate and chilli trifle with passionfruit 

 spiced chocolate caramel with peanut butter ice cream 

milk chocolate and peanut sublime, candy bar style 

salted caramel ice cream churros tacos 

1:00 am - late night munchies

It's past midnight and you're starving. If you're looking for a late night snack, ASC really hits the spot.

Because sometimes you just want good food to go...

our take-away from ASC

milawa chook and corn quesadilla & organic black angus beef rib quesadillas

ancient grain salad

The chefs bring a polish and precision to Mexican cuisine that is rare in Melbourne - every dish we have ordered from our numerous visits has been consistently excellent. ASC is definitely one of this year’s ‘it’ restaurants.