Commis

Overview

Visiting Commis' website grants you a window into the Collingwood wine bar's ethos — cheeky, playful, exceedingly fun. There's a little ditty about drinks, the reassurance that it's as suitable for a date as it is for dinner with in-laws. It's spot on. Started by the same people behind Melbourne institution Gerald's, Commis has class — even if it doesn't take itself too seriously.

As with all the best eateries, Commis' menu is ever changing. It's a loose iteration of modern Australian, with ingredients procured from local producers like Day's Walk Farm and Two Hands Fish. You can expect baked scallops, fried brussel sprouts, panisse chips topped with leek salt, venison ossobuco garnished with parsley root and gremolata.

Or you can try the staff meal – leftovers from the day's trade that are then fashioned into staff meals that customers can order too.

The wine list can be sorted by mood rather than type, depending on which side of the menu you flip over. Feel like a Wednesday night wine, easy on the palate and the pocket? You may opt for a Jumping Juice chenin blanc from Margaret River or a grillo from Sicily. Feel like Tom Hanks i.e. wines that everybody likes? You may have a nebbiolo from Italy's Piedmont region or a vermentino from South Australia's Clare Valley.