Captain Baxter went to sea, sea, sea, to see what he could see, see, see and all that he could see, see, see was the bottom of the…cocktail glass at Captain Baxter’s fab new seafront bar.
Located within the St Kilda Sea Baths complex Captain Baxter has docked just in time for languid summer evenings watching the Bay sparkle in the sunset. The location was the former home to vegetarian restaurant Soul Mama but the four co-owners – brother and sister Angela Dawson and Tom Doolan, along with their partners, Executive Chef Matt Dawson and Amara Doolan – have used their experience with celebrated function space Encore and restaurant Republica (downstairs) to create something fresh and fun.
Is this place home to Melbourne’s best outdoor deck? Quite possibly…
Joint Head Chefs Danielle Rensonnet (ex-St Jude Cellars, Station Pier and Mrs Jones) and Shaun Clancy (ex Bistro Guillame, Vin Cellars, Circa and Panama Dining Room) know taste-buds and the flavours here are something to behold. Expect good drinks and delicious delights with inspiration from all the ports of the seafaring world. Local produce, though, is firmly in this venue’s sights. Sharing is caring so don’t be greedy – this is all about grabbing a collection of friends and sampling a little bit of this and that. The limited opening times – just Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – add a feeling of exclusive urgency. Get there when you can.
The real Captain Ben Baxter, was one of Victoria’s first farmers, after all, so it makes sense to pay homage to food tilled from the fertile soil of the good Captain’s familiar haunts. He lived for 87 years – born from strong Irish stock before making his way here across the ocean. Bet he could have used a chilly cocktail or two after all that effort. Ah, well…he has left a legacy for us to all enjoy, including the naming of Brunswick Street after one of his close buddies. Seems like a nice chap, really.
New venues always come complete with a certain buzz and with the fresh salty air and gentle sounds of the tide just beyond the bar, it’s definitely a cool change from inner-urban cityscape.
A toast to Captain Baxter!
Captian Baxter
St Kilda Sea Baths
10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
T: 03 8534 8999
