MELBOURNE | We all know that I don’t get southside often enough. When I do, it’s usually a matter of convenience, or for somewhere that holds particular appeal. Castlerose, a wine bar that’s been on my list since it opened early last year, ticked both boxes a few weeks ago, when I was looking for a post-comedy festival drink and feed.
Housed in the basement of a new office building down a South Melbourne side street, Castlerose (along with upstairs cafe, Clementine), is run by a team of hospo veterans, including co-owner Glen Bagnara. They’ve created a dimly lit, intimate space, evocative of the supper clubs you might find in continental Europe. “Hidden gem” might well be an over-used term, but in this case, it’s apt.
The menu is inspired by 20th century English dining, and is designed for guests to be able to put together a full menu, or to grab a snack or two to go with their drink. It’s a high quality selection of pickles, olives, and charcuterie at the top, moving on to snacks, and larger plates. The menu is quite compact, and if you had a group of six and a big appetite, you could conceivably try it all.
Snacks include things like crispy confit duck cigars with orange zest, olive dust, and aioli; a sublime éclair filled with duck liver parfait and cranberry jam; and assorted cheeses, presented tableside to choose from on a vintage cheese cart.
Larger dishes include things like mac and cheese with parmesan crumble and optional lobster; steak tartare with egg yolk and potato crisps; and a fall off the bone tender 48 hour slow braised beef short rib marinated in Asian spices with mushroom sauce and mash potato. Special mention goes to the medium cut chips, fluffy, crispy, and some of the best chips you’ll find in town.
To drink, there’s house and classic cocktails, and an extensive selection of quality wine, spirits, and local beers. Try the house sour, Spitfire. It’s a blend of cognac, crème de peach, lemon, vanilla, egg white, white wine, and demerara, served over ice.
Castlerose
67 Palmerston Crescent
South Melbourne
Victoria 3205
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9982 9369
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Wed – Sat: 4:00pm to 11:00pm