LOCATIONAt the high end of Queen Street in Brisbane city.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIABar Barossa’s superb array of wines and equally appetising food in a well-to-do setting has sprung up causing intrigue and wonder in Brisbane. One cannot help but admire the towering glass cabinets of exquisite wines; timber shelves piled mountain-high with glass bottles of Australia’s (and beyond) finest. Offering more than 250 wines, with over 35 different varieties by the glass – including flutes of French champagne – this boutique establishment delivers a fine dining experience while still maintaining an inimitably warm and personal space. The enticing all-day grazing menu certainly has a lot to say with fresh local ingredients mixed with Barossa favourites – from a tasty selection of small goods like dill pickles, Barossa olives, beetroot dip and premium lavish-style Barossa bark to the more indulgent seared scallops and freshly shucked Coffin bay oysters.
You know you’re within wisps of wine heaven when large bunches of colourful bauble grapes cascade from the ceiling and an epic panoramic painting of Barossa's picturesque Seppelts Fields Road seemingly runs for miles across a far wall. The wine bar’s focus is on variety, quality, decent prices and supporting upcoming winemakers from the rolling hills of the Barossa, while also offering a fine dining experience. The a la carte entices with homemade pasta tossed with scallops, prawns and a salmon saffron cream. The hearty mains include grilled Atlantic salmon with steamed fresh seasonal greens, roasted free-range Barossa chicken breast bathed in a coriander and coconut broth or the tempting confit duck leg which dances in chef Maggie’s famous quince paste and Shiraz jus. If you enjoy the elegant things in life, I think you may have found your match!
Katharine Chapman, August 2009