REVIEW
The heritage building is key to Circa’s charm, and its tiny lounge is the place to sit and have dessert as you contemplate history – apple pie ice-cream with granola-style toffee crumb, say, with a Hunter Valley sticky to draw out the apple flavour. The food at Circa is diligently sourced from its kitchen garden, beehives and chicken coop, with a focus on greater Hunter Valley produce. This is showcased in entrées of local rabbit terrine, served warm with honey-glazed carrots, and crisp-skinned quail with smoked beetroot, goat’s cheese and a lovely spice note of garam marsala. Beef tenderloin with cauliflower purée and king brown mushrooms has big flavour (good with a glass of Hunter shiraz) and the lamb rack comes pink, with pea purée, smoked yoghurt and kipfler-asparagus hash. The room is vast and countrified, and, come the weekend, the surrounding gardens become the site for wedding parties. A pretty picture.
Phone:
(02) 4998 4998
Website:
Bookings:
Bookings essential
Features:
Licensed
Bar
Vegetarian-friendly
Wheelchair Access
Outdoor dining
Private room
Impressive Wine List
Accepted card types:
American Express
Diners Club
Eftpos
MasterCard
Visa
Chef(s):
Trent Barrett
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide
Wine: ★ ★ ★
Gourmet Traveller’s star-ratings, which range from zero to three stars, reflect reviewers’ first-hand experiences. The best-rated restaurants form our national Top 100. Our wine ratings, from zero to three stars, are made by wine editor Max Allen on the strength of the quality of the restaurant’s wine list. View our rating key here.
