City Wine Shop

Blink and you might miss this smart city bistro in Melbourne's parliamentary and theatre precinct. Grab a seat outside to watch the show, or indoors at the bar or big communal table. It's a wine shop with box bins and bottles to take away, with corkage or by the glass. A chalkboard has specials and a wine menu with small dishes to mix and match. You might snack on polenta chips with sour cream, fast food that's good to eat with Macedon fizz that's had six years on lees. Or perhaps pair a salad of tender duck with beans, cucumber and radicchio, with a stellar German pinot noir. Super-keen uniformed staff might suggest a crisp riesling from the Clare Valley to go with plump Tasmanian oysters or Gembrook chardonnay with juicy grilled john dory fillets on caponata. Finish with cheese - maybe Pyengana Tasmanian cheddar paired with syrah from the northern Rhone.