Riserva
Pull up at the bar for a bowl of spaghetti vongole and a bottle of northern Italian pinot.
Overview
When restaurateurs Frank Ciorciari and Gian Chiaravalle opened up a European-flavoured wine bar in Malvern East the intention was to keep things casual. But Ciorciari's background of working in catering at Formula's One's McLaren team was always going to bring an influence of the high life, and the local wine bar is better known as a classy place to go for drinks and snacks, rather than a casual tipple. Though, both are welcome.
Here you'll find Italian influences across the menu, from the spaghetti vongole served with local clams, chilli and garlic, or the hand-made pappardelle with duck and porcini mushroom ragu, to the desserts — tiramisu, pannacotta and cannoli. But there's also a French accent in items like the slow-braised lamb cigar, pomme frites and baguette with herb garlic butter.
It's the same Italo-French influence across the wine list too, though you'll spot a couple of bottles from Germany, Austria, Spain and California, with a few local producers thrown in for good measure. As the bar is also a bottle shop, take a bottle home with you when you're ready to leave.
