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City Wine Shop
159 Spring Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
w www.citywineshop.net.au
e info@citywineshop.net.au
t +61 03 9654 6657
f +61 03 9654 5377
open Monday to Friday 7.00am until late, Saturday and Sunday 9.00am until late
FOOD Why? Why have we walked straight past the City Wine Shop and gone straight into The European, right next door or, The Supper Club right up stairs? We have been missing out! On a public holiday in Melbourne calling establishment after establishment on our reviewing list to find them closed, every now and again we would find a chef working in the kitchen ready to answer the phone (yes chef owners) and all unanimously recommended the City Wine Shop. Then, we discovered our friend Sophie Otten was the sommelier and we knew we were onto something special because Sophie is a woman with a serious interest in wine. In fact she’s no longer there having won the prized position of sommelier at Neil Perry’s Sydney restaurant Rockpool. We love watching the career progression of an obsessed individual and Otten is just one of those who clearly adheres to the Chinese saying slowly, slowly catch the monkey!
There is a lot about Adelaide’s Universal in it’s hey day about the City Wine Shop. Food is fuss–less, plainly plated it delivers a satisfying food experience that is totally compatible with their excellent wine list. There is none of the big breakfast, but freshly squeezed juice just baked muffins, croissants and friands and toasted sandwiches and their toasted ham and cheese sandwich at $8.50 is the most expensive item on their breakfast menu. At lunch it was from their extensive specials board and a rabbit and fig salad $17. The rabbit had been confit and shredded and came with a generous amount of fig and just the right amount (in proportion) of real rocket. The Peach Melba, also from the specials looked fabulous but the ice cream was rather lack luster. Coffee was excellent.
Tables are tiny and close and it only takes minutes before you are a part of a conversation. It was also possible to look closely at about ten different dishes. All had the same simplicity, freshness and generosity and the City Wine Shop is clearly another locals’ local, as many people seemed to know each other.
WINE An exceptional list, fabulous wines by the glass that extend to the complete indulgence of the 1999 Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque $48 per glass. It should also be noted that Melbourne pours are generous and well priced and 90ml pours always noted on their list. We think this is a great idea because the consumer knows the deal and can make their choice. One of the great advantages of the proximity of the City Wine Shop to most hotels is that having a drink when you get back to your hotel room doesn’t have to break the bank. We love Piper Heidseck, but $72 AUD for a 375ml bottle in the mini bar is complete nonsense and only an idiot would fall for that. Staff have a passion for wine and a memory for faces. The City Wine Shop is a good spot and a great place to play spot the bride with the city marriage registry office just across the road!
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Fill inthe feedback forms at your hotelyou might be surprised at just how much their management take note of your opinion - $25 for 24 hours ADSL is highway robbery and a mini bar that charhes $12AUD for a spirit 30ml get a life!
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