Vin Cellar

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA

Vin Cellar may have veteran Melbourne chef John Lepp installed in the kitchen but the focus here remains firmly on the wine. Vin is not only a restaurant but also a wine bar and wine store, where you can purchase any of the vintages that line the walls to take away or, for an extra $5 corkage, enjoy them in the restaurant. Dining in is a deeply inviting notion with the warm candlelight, open fireplace and deep couches of the wine cellar at your disposal, although you may be in danger of losing members of your party to the temptations of the racks.

The menu offers the best of European flavours with the occasional Asian accent here and there. While beer is available on tap, the food is really geared towards the oenophile, with wine suggestions listed beneath each dish. Perhaps start with fresh oysters and a crisp young Manzanilla, or a classic fish soup with Asian aromatic herbs and vegetables teamed with an Alsace Riesling. Progress to maltose roasted duck breast with a flight of Pinot Noir (one new world, one old world) or seared kangaroo fillet with a meaty Shiraz, then finish with dessert and the sticky or fortified wine of your choice. Vin also offers a fixed price express lunch from Thursday through to Sunday. Dont be surprised if you cant resist the urge to remain here with a bottle at the ready, settled into one of those couches for the remainder of the afternoon.

Angela Costanzo