Located within South Melbourne Market, the now iconic Claypots Evening Star shines brightly. The unique space that Claypots Evening Star occupies, best described as a Mediterranean bar come market stall, is divided by a long central bar and kitchen with seating on either side. Gloriously fresh seafood is on display in glass cabinets to tempt passers-by, but this is definitely a restaurant for those in the know.
On a Friday evening regulars arrive in a constant stream taking up positions at the high wooden bar for a glass of wine and some seafood tapas whilst enjoying the wonderful live music. The menu is a seafood lover’s dream with dishes ranging in size allowing for a very flexible dining experience.
There is a definite emphasis on drinks too with an interesting array of by the glass and by the bottle wines on offer.
The food is fresh, delicious and prepared metres from where you sit. Dishes are simple, allowing the natural beauty of the ingredients to shine through.
A highlight was the cuttlefish with ink vinaigrette - the richness of the squid ink vinaigrette combining well with the perfectly cooked, tender cuttlefish.
The clams were sweet, luscious, perfectly cooked morsels bathed in a rich, aromatic broth of impressive depth.
The vibrant dish of prawn with sambal was yet another highlight. Flavoursome and aromatic, the subtle sweetness of the prawn was allowed to shine through.
The grilled stingray with an aromatic curry paste is also worth trying, as is the Galician style octopus, mounted on toothpicks and dusted with parsley in a sea of olive oil.
With the sun setting on a warm summer's evening, wonderful live music filling the air and delicious wines and fresh seafood tapas flowing freely, the ambience at Claypots Evening Star is nothing short of magical. Highly recommended.
Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Claypots Evening Star.
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