Sip on a Veronica - the cocktail, that is. Take your palate to the Middle East with tapas accompanied by Moroccan-infused drinks.
The Commoner is one of Melbourne's newest wine bars, set just back from Brunswick Street's busy strip in Fitzroy. Clean, bright and understated, the decor has hints of the Middle East with glinting, woven cushion covers and modern artworks in opulent tones.
Co-owner Jo Corrigan has a rich history in hospitality from her previous experience at London gastropub The Brackenbury. She brings to The Commoner a wine list featuring around 20 varieties from Australia and New Zealand, as well as France, Italy and Hungary, such as the Royal Tokaji sweet wine and La Riva Dei Frati Prosecco.
Regular spirits and bottled beers such as Coopers and Little Creatures Pale Ale can be soaked up with 'small food' - a range of tapas-style dishes. Reflecting the bar's Moroccan influence are such dishes as soft boiled egg with celery salt and aioli; marinated feta; stuffed olives; and boquerones (white anchovies) on crostini with roasted red peppers and aioli.
The pick of the menu are the produce-driven seasonal cocktails, such as the Veronica (Vimto, a grenadine-style Arabic cordial, blended with Campari); the Moscow Mule, featuring house-brewed ginger beer, vodka, lime and mint; or the refreshing Mamma Loves Apples, with apple presse, lime, mint and vodka.
Maya Linden
