Italian in style, this little bar in Fitzroy is a magnet for serious vino buffs. Buy a bottle, pop the cork and graze on oysters, fromaggi or antipasti.
In a wine shop or 'enoteca' in Italy, you can pop in, purchase your wine and have a glass or two with a snack while you relax and chat with the staff. This Italian practice is what Gertrude Street Enoteca is all about.
The walls here are lined with wooden shelves that house a selection of local and imported wines sourced from all around the world. If you add $10 to a bottle's retail price, you can take a seat and pop the cork straight away.
Gertrude Street Enoteca is a gorgeous, buzzing joint in which to spend the whole evening. You can have a prosecco (served in a tall glass) at the bar, or alternatively take a seat at a small table for something a bit more private. When the lights are dimmed, the entire space takes on sepia tones and all movement is closely followed by shadows.
On Friday nights, freshly shucked oysters await on ice. On all other nights, you can opt for the classic platters of antipasti or fromaggi. All cured meats are sliced by specialised order, and so are the soft, blue and crumbly cheeses.
To finish off, all kinds of digestifs line the bar's wall. However if chocolate is your main vice, try the bar's Italian hot chocolate: it's famous for its dark cocoa and thick, rich flavours.
Erin O'Brien
