30.11.12

Eat and Drink Your Way Through the Life and Times of Captain Melville

A culinary journey through the life and times of the infamous rebel bushranger awaits punters at Captain Melville, the new home of casual dining and imbibing housed in Melbourne's oldest public house at 34 Franklin Street.

The menu, devised by head chef Shayne McCallum, captures the notorious bushranger's devilish spirit and sense of adventure, with pub-style dishes inspired by the Gold Rush era and the places the Captain roamed, using locally sourced produce.

McCallum has taken inspiration from 1850's stews with the braised rabbit pie with grilled asparagus and native pepper jus. Sauerkraut, traditionally consumed on long sea voyages to Australia, is reinvented in the mini bratwurst dog with sauerkraut and German mustard.

Australian classics include the Wurrock Merino, black pepper and fennel sausages, and the Bannockburn free-range chicken Parmigiana. Slow cooked lamb in brik pastry with smoked yogurt is a modern take on the traditional Australian lamb dish.

Locally sourced beef is a main feature of the menu, with dishes such as the Captain's Burger with Sher Wagyu, bacon, cheese, Yarra valley egg, in a soft bun. Steaks include Castricum Gippsland black Angus minute steak and sirloin, Sher Wagu rump, Gamekeepers Gippsland Black Angus scotch, and Hopkins River eye fillet.

Desserts nod to Australian icons, such as frozen lamington, topped with warm chocolate sauce, coconut and raspberry, and the chocolate mousse with Anzac biscuit, chocolate sponge and meringue.

The Captain is mixing up cocktails infused with 1850's history. Named after Captain Melville's Mount Macedon Gang, who waylaid travellers in the Blackforest while living in caves in 1852, the "Macedon Gang Punch" contains Cruzan rum, lemon juice, Agave, egg white, port, and Booker's fire bitters.

Named after the Afghan camel men that assisted with the commercial transportation of gold, water and tents in the 1860's, the magnificently refreshing "Afghan Camel" places green cardamom pods and sauza hornitos with fresh lime juice, Agave and topped with Hoegarden beer.

For over 150 years, the bluestone walls at 34 Franklin Street have provided solace and sustenance to Melburnians and visitors, and in 2012 comes Captain Melville, the destination for accessible dining, imbibing and revelry at Melbourne's oldest public house.