Andrew McConnell’s favourite architect (and ex-wife) Pascale Gomes-McNabb turned something of a storage space above Cumulus Inc. into an elegant, dark wine bar complete with red paint-dipped bentwood chairs, exposed bricks, parquet timber floors, steel fixtures and Finnish-style blown glass pendant lamps.

At the snack end of the menu there’s a nod downstairs in the Ortiz anchovy toast, where dried chilli powder and creamy cow’s curd together form a magical play of texture, salty, creamy and crunch.

Some more daring additions include a duck neck sausage with puy lentils, and chicken liver scrolls, but this place is best known for its knock-out duck waffle. The crunchy buckwheat wedge is studded with soft and salty shredded duck, and topped with a floret of creamy foie gras and prune paste. Another menu highlight is the most popular piece of meat in Australia right now: the 600g O’Connor ribeye. It’s all great with a glass of something.

This place is a billed as a wine bar, and sure enough McConnell’s pride and joy is the climate-controlled cellar, which houses a best-example range from the new and old worlds. A generous by-the-glass offering spans boutique, French sparkling, German Riesling, and orange wines – from Australia, Italy and Spain – get a look in.
Tel: 03 96501445