The team behind Love, Tilly Devine have been bringing life into Lankelly Place in Potts Point with their warmly-lit wine bar Dear Sainte Éloise. It's a well-oiled machine aglow with patrons and staff bustling around precisely. The sophisticated venue is still inviting and peeks out onto the charming laneway, perfect for an afternoon of snacks, wine and people-watching.
The long, copper bar is the main feature, adorned with racks upon racks upon racks of wine that showcase the bar's huge selection — all up, there's over 350 plus bottles, which have been plucked from all over the world, from Austria to Portugal, South Africa and Georgia, as well as the requisite Australian and New Zealand bottles. The team somehow manages them all with ease and, unless you're an expert, you'll need him to help navigate their extensive wine bible.
While this is a wine bar above all else, the succinct selection of dishes serve well as wine nibbles or a full meal. If you're in for the whole hog, Dear Sainte Éloise's main dining room has sit-down tables — but for us, the front-of-house stools are where it's at. Sit at the bar to watch the restaurant in action or grab a seat at the window for street views. The menu is printed daily and features wine bar staples like fresh oysters and burrata. But it's so much more than that. Think swordfish with caviar beurre blanc or their fan-favourite an anchovy brioche with whipped ricotta and red pepper. For something other than wine, their six-drink cocktail list includes a premium Negroni and a deliciously refreshing Yuzushu Lemon Spritz.
The menu changes regularly but expect the classics with a creative twist, and all things supremely well-balanced – much like Dear Sainte Éloise itself. Simply put, this Potts Point wine bar is knowledgeable without being wanky, sleek without being overdone. Plus, we're all for any place where you can dine at the bar.
Images: Nikki To.