Overview
Fancy a good glass of wine after a day at the beach? Coogee locals Tom Hardwick and Michelle Morales certainly do, and their new venue lets you do just that. Taking cues from the bustling wine bars of Europe, Coogee Wine Room hopes to be the new post-beach go-to for the eastern suburbs. It's opening along Coogee Bay Road today — Tuesday, September 17 — just one block up from the ocean.
As to be expected, the team is taking its wine game very seriously. The 400-strong list has been created by Hardwick and Venue Manager Brooke Adey, whose resume includes time spent at Bea, Chiswick and Yellow. On the 30-page list are a whopping 28 drops by the glass, along with limited vintages and hard-to-find drops. Over 50 different varieties are represented here, too.
In the kitchen, Head Chef Sandro Di Marino (A Tavola) is plating up a succinct, Mediterranean-style menu. For smaller dishes, expect smoked hummus with flatbread, Spanish anchovies and pork cheek sliders to be served alongside the requisite cheese and charcuterie. Larger plates include ricotta ravioli, chargrilled octopus with lentils and lamb rump with spring greens.
Steven Woodburn
Local design studio Tom Mark Henry is behind the fit-out, which spans two storeys and — as goes the trend — maintains an industrial vibe. Expect exposed brick walls, concrete floors and a black steel staircase, along with warm timber tones, wraparound banquettes and marble finishes. Downstairs, you'll find the causal front bar — perfect for post-beach wines — while the slightly larger upstairs dining room is primed for long lunches.
While it doesn't seem like swimming weather just yet, it won't be long till you'll be traipsing up from the beach for a post-swim rosé or three here. In the meantime, you can escape the rain by heading indoors for plenty of cheese and warming meats.
Coogee Wine Room is now open at 222 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee. It's open from Monday–Wednesday 3pm–11pm and Thursday–Sunday midday–11pm.
Images: Steven Woodburn