Review: El Circo Blanc
Image: Love match - Daniel Gorski with partner Catherine Waite as Missy. Photo: Jesse Jaco.
From the moment you enter the room – luxe white decorations shrouding the space and blanketing it in a glamorous wintry mystique, a friendly waitperson swaddled in (faux) furs hands you a dainty mug of piping hot mulled wine – El Circo Blanc is an experience. The Slide Lounge is putting on a show from the moment you step foot inside their cabaret nook.
El Circo is quite the step above your average dinner theatre outing; it is a conceptual dining experience. Immerse yourself in the delights of the Russian Winter Circus as the scents and tastes of a five-course degustation menu interweaves with a visual feast.
A crème fraíche topped crouton accents a starter that reminds you hearty vegetable soups weren’t always reserved for the can. Other highlights include the buttery nest of the Salmon Coulibiac, which will melt the hearts of even the most dubious seafood diners. And hot vodka punch preludes a showstopper dessert – the Dome of Saint Basil takes a winter spin on Pavlova elements while recreating a Russian landmark.
A series of impressively executed circus style performances dazzles and delights. The physical feats of contortion, strength and aerial work are executed with the most upstanding showmanship.
While the loose narrative of our beautiful protagonist reminiscing on her time in the Russian Circus is hardly cohesive, that is hardly a concern. El Circo Blanc is first and foremost about the experience and the sensation – her series of past friends and lovers informing the next impressive act of aerial contortion, the next savoury dish.
But it is the gentle clown who steals the show. Mute, clumsy and often procuring strange objects from the billowing overalls hanging off his lean frame – our clown gradually shows that his skills and ability extend far beyond basic comic relief (not that he is above visiting tables and handing out balloon animals over the main course).
El Circo Blanc is a whimsical and edgy immersive experience, perfect for taking any average evening outing to another dimension – from a first date to dinner with colleagues. (AM)
Every Wednesday, 7pm. Slide Lounge, 41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. $89.00+b.f. includes 5 course dinner and show (group discounts available). Tickets & info: slide.com.au or (02) 8915 1899
