A gem in the crown of Melbourne eating, Claypots is the kind of establishment I adore. Totally focused on simple, fresh, and generously proportioned seafood dishes, flavoured by the influences of Indian, Malaysian, Morrocan, Cajun and Chinese fare, Claypots remains a firm favourite and apparently number 29 of all things to do when visiting Melbourne according to Trip Advisor.
I LOVE the Mezze to start with. Accompanied by my good friend, the inimitable Tomi Kalinski, we catch up over tiny plates of grilled vegetables, spicy dips, marinated swordfish, salty sardines, and calamari, all mopped up by morsels of warm light turkish bread. Heaven. Probably already satiated, we then indulge in the seafood stir fry, an ample platter of fresh fish, and prawns all glazed by spicy sauce and topped with chunks of succulent spanner crab. It’s at this point we always look at each other and wonder at the hunger of our eyes when the Malaysian clay pot arrives. Pieces of fish and prawn all swim in a warm creamy spicy sauce. The sticky rice at the bottom of the pot, is irresistable despite my belly being completely un-accommodating. We waddle up from the table and enjoy a stroll along Acland St, marveling at how touristic and soul-less it’s become. Irene and I will do this gastro and walking tour many times to come. This I know, because we love it so.
Claypots
Ph: (03) 9534 1282 ; 213 Barkly St, ST KILDA 3182
Seafood, $$ -, * for Food
Open daily 9am-3pm,6-10.30pm; Unlicensed, BYO, Corkage $10 bottle; No cards, No bookings
