Bar Lucia

Overview

Adding to the wave of exciting new venues that seem to just keep popping up in Potts Point, this lavish hideaway on Kellett Street comes from accomplished hospitality group Milpa Collective. The team behind crowed-pleasers like Carbon, Calita and Circular Quay's Londres 126 has ventured out into new territory with this latest addition, a Spanish-focused and female-led wine bar and tapas restaurant named Bar Lucia.

"It will be the next 'pop in for a glass of wine' hot spot, the perfect date location, dinner with friends, long ladies lunch or 'settle in the for the evening' cosy wine bar," Milpa Collective co-founders Pablo Galindo and Liber Osorio say.

With the aim of maintaining a sense of Spanish flair within the venue, the fitout includes Madrid-inspired architecture. There is also an atmosphere of elegance with gorgeous oil paintings adorning the walls, paired with moody lighting and a stunning chandelier centrepiece — perfect for a romantic date night.

Complimenting the dining room is an indoor courtyard boasting a glass roof and atrium-style design, making it a crowd-pleasing, weather-proof spot for your next get-together.

Head Sommelier Kasia Sobiesiak boasts a wealth of knowledge as a wine educator and a Master's in environmental engineering. As a result, she's curated a considered wine program with a large selection to pick from.

Spnoesiak and the Bar Lucia team have made it their mission to focus on women within the industry. The wine offering features over 50 drops, from the reliable classics to newer, innovative winemakers if you're looking to explore something a little different. The equally varied by-the-glass list features vino almost exclusively made by women and has a strong local focus.

"Promoting female winemakers and supporting local wine regions is a priority for me," Sobiesiak says. "I like to foster a balance between fine, modern classics and artisan and low-intervention leads."

Head Chef Alberto Palacios has created a menu inspired by the tapas bars of Spain executed with top local Australian produce and is designed to pair with whatever wine your heart desires.

For a starter, opt for the roasted sea scallops with saffron butter ($9 each) or the jamon serrano croqueta ($8 each). For a sweet addition, you can opt for the figs marinated in sherry with aged goat cheese and basil montadito ($8 each). When it's time to dig into a heftier meal, take your pick from the Catalan-style cannelloni ($25), the sauteed wild mushrooms with aged manchego ($15) or the "El Vermut" — potato chips with sardines, mussels, anchovies and salsa Spinader ($16).

You can then finish things off with something a little sweet in the form of a vanilla custard doughnut ($6 each).

Images: Kitti Gould