Ruzia's Wine
When a venue is named after someone's grandmother, it's a telltale sign that the space is likely to be imbued with a lot of heart and soul.
Overview
Hidden in plain sight along busy Balaclava Road is Ruzia's, a suburban wine bar that locals are proud to call their own. The open, warm and informal space lends itself to convivial dining, chitchat amongst neighbouring diners and with staff, and to settling in for a simple yet deeply satisfying meal of salty snacks, Eastern European delights, and plenty of generously poured drinks.
When a venue is named after someone's grandmother, it's a telltale sign that the space will likely be imbued with a lot of heart and soul. As is the case at Ruzia's, named for the owner's grandmother, where memories of a childhood spent eating from her fridge, sitting in on long card games, and being nourished by her generous cooking pervade the space, bringing a sense of nostalgia and comfort to those lucky enough to score a seat.
Along with his wife Lucy, Presser designed the wine bar, set behind its modest, intriguing frontage, to be a welcoming space for quick pop-ins and regular returns. "Ruzia's has always been about creating a place people want to return to. The focus is on simple, generous food, good wine, a relaxed atmosphere and making people feel genuinely welcome, whether they're dropping in briefly or staying longer than planned."
With an open bar behind which Presser prepares the snacks and share plates, the intimate dining room has become known to locals as 'Ravi's kitchen', such is the informal nature of the space, with a few bar seats and tiny tables, a communal table seating 14 people, an inviting courtyard, and a handful of seats out the front.
The menu highlights Eastern European flavours and ingredients, mostly prepared simply with a condiment or two, and of course, features several of Ruzia's signature dishes. It's the kind of place that mandates plenty of snacking over deep conversation and a Polish beer or two. Try cucumbers with horseradish and capers, smoked mackerel spread with heirloom radish, Polish sausage with mustard and pickles, and trout and potato croquettes with paprika aioli.
Move to the vodka offering next, while savouring Grandma's chicken meatballs, sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi with dill sour cream, and pastrami-spiced ocean trout with herb oil. Of course, no visit to Ruzia's is complete without trying Ruzia's Plate. As if picked straight from his grandmother's fridge, Ravi carefully curates a generous plate of small goods, pickled or cured fish, marinated vegetables, cheeses and bread. The kind of food that speaks to the joy of simplicity.
"We wanted Ruzia's to feel like being welcomed into someone's home. It's relaxed and familiar, with food meant to be shared and an atmosphere that encourages people to settle in and take their time," says Presser.
Images: Supplied.
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