July 16, 2016

Circa 1876, Hunter Valley

I was recently in the Hunter Valley for a day of wine tasting. With a number of options for dining, I left the choice up to my friend. She picked Circa 1876 because she had seen it on ‘The Bachelor’ and was dying to try this romantic venue herself.

Previously called Robert’s Restaurant, Circa 1876 is part of the Peppers Convent in Hunter Valley. One of its main features is the kitchen garden found next to the restaurant, where much of the produce for the menu is sourced. It is also a popular wedding venue.

Entrance to Circa 1876

After the wine tasting, I felt like drinking something non-alcoholic. They didn’t have a non-alcoholic drinks menu but enquired what I felt like drinking. At the risk of sounding fussy, I asked for something different from your usual soft drinks and juices…perhaps a house made lemonade? The waitress was obliging. She explained that they didn’t have any lemonade but could ask the bar to whip up a mocktail.

I was really pleased with what they came out with – a concoction of grapefruit and cranberry juice.

We decided to have the 2 course menu, which is $75 per person.

The meal started off with a duck consomme and some bread. The bread was served with wasabi butter. The bread wasn’t soft and warm like I had hoped.

For entrees, we had the following:

Sesame Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna

Soft Cooked Pullet Egg, Olive Cheeks, Chipotle Aioli, Wasabi Roe, Fresh Garden Greens and Lime

Crispy Skin Jumbo Quail

Smoked Beetroots, Goats Cheese, Beetroot Puree, Garam Masala, Beetroot Chips and Fresh Garden Greens

For mains:

Blue Eyed Cod

Sweet Corn Puree, Chilli Vongole, Blackened Corn, Butter Confit Fennel, Cod Crackle

Two Parts Duck

Seared Duck Breast, Salt Bush, Slow Cooked Duck Egg, Fresh Black Truffle, Truffle Potato Foam, Asparagus and Jamón

The dishes were beautifully presented but I was not blown away by any means. My two parts duck dish tasted a bit strange – there was a lot going on, on the plate and my palate did not enjoy it.

The grounds of the restaurant were lovely though! Here is a pic of the kitchen garden: