Wine & Larder

Brisbane’s discerning epicureans gladly cross the river for this Ashgrove institution—a dark, moody bistro where serious culinary chops meet an encyclopedic cellar. Forget the usual suburban fare. Here, a dynamic head chef pushes a tight, inventive menu to stratospheric heights. Diners obsess over the bold flavor profiles—seared scallops floating in tom kha foam, goat massaman croquettes, and house-made focaccia slathered in an umami-rich whipped kombu butter. Even the sides—impossibly crisp tatties and broccolini dressed in a smoked miso soubise—demand absolute attention. But it’s the glass-in-hand experience that truly anchors the room. Oenophiles champion the expansive by-the-glass program, brilliantly navigated by owner Mark and his deeply knowledgeable crew. Kick things off with a flawless Negroni. Let the staff pour generous tasters of a crisp Clare Valley Riesling or a nuanced Chablis to find your perfect match. Intimate, warmly familiar, and acoustically forgiving even at capacity—a masterclass in relaxed, high-caliber dining.