LOCATION
Bouzy Rouge Hotel - 470 Bridge Road Richmond (just along from Burnley Street).
DETAILS
The confident style, unique interiors and strong food focus of Bouzy Rouge really show what owners Jose and Sandra D’Oliviera are all about. They have had 5 multi award winning pubs over 23 years and sophistication is apparent in everything they touch – they really open people's eyes to the possibilities of drinking and dining in beautiful surrounds.
At their latest ‘Hotel of the Year’ - Bouzy Rouge, they have worked their own unique magic into a glamorous style filled property where people love to gather. It has all the fashion sense of Europe, developing and evolving over time through Sandra’s clever eye and skilful hand and Jose’s enduring presence and charm. They have embraced pieces from the Marais region of France, known for it’s flavours of Morocco, Venice, Southern Asia and the Middle East.
From the main dining room and bar to the fully covered courtyard and private dining spaces, textures abound. There’s zebra fabric by Ralph Lauren, gilded crowns, a massive reconstructed Venetian mirror, deer’s antlers, exotic carved doors, giant clam shells holding peanuts on the bar, Knowl sofas from the middle ages and traditional shoes from Rajistan.
PRIVATE DINING
Upstairs there’s also a cleverly set, private dining room with another smart bar and beautifully styled sitting room, for when the need for privacy arises – or for groups of up to 100.
CUISINE
Chefs Domenic Marzano and James Smyth run the kitchen with Dom’s home smoked small-goods featuring across the Mediterranean influenced menu. Powerful flavours are to the fore with Euro tapas style plates and their signature roasted ‘share fare’ platters the real stars of the show. The cheeses are from as far and wide as Portugal, Spain and Nottinghamshire and Jose’s stunning wines that match the menu also deserve a mention – they really sum up what this Richmond eatery is all about - sourcing from the best, no matter where that search takes them.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Bouzy Rouge sounds like a good joke name for a pub, but it’s a French red wine. Truly. Bouzy is a little place in the Champagne area of France, and in good years they make a half-way decent red. The Richmond pub, which used to be the Dover Castle, is more than half-way decent and is much more like a restaurant with an adjoining bar than vice versa. It’s the fifth pub for Jose and Sandra de Oliveira; this one is easy going, smart and sexy all at once. There’s a good front bar that leads into a carpeted dining room, its walls painted in a satiny coffee colours. Someone had lots of fun with the decor – there are big cooking pots suspended from one wall and an assortment of chandeliers from the ceiling. The tables have white cloths covered with paper, and there are upholstered chairs and banquettes to rest on.
The food owes much to Spain and Portugal. Many of the entrees are like tapas: white anchovies on witlof leaves, fried whitebait, red peppers with goat cheese. Others, like the brilliant mussels in a tomato-chilli broth, are substantial. Main courses range from salads – try the duck confit with rocket, oranges, walnuts and couscous – to more conventional steak. Prices are very reasonable. The drinks list includes a good range of beer, as well as a broad selection of Australian, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian wines, and a generous selection by the glass. Try the Pedro Ximenes after dessert – it’s a gorgeously rich Spanish sherry, and might even make a good name for a pub. Check out the upstairs cocktail bar and lounge for a drink.
Rita Erlich, January 2008