Another of Donlevy Fitzpatrick's brainchilds, the Melbourne Wine Room was the catalyst for Fitzroy Street's revival.
Like some Roman bath house, the walls and floor are covered in white tiles. This sparse decor, coupled with the metal furniture, creates a sterile feel when it's quiet.
However, the Melbourne Wine Room is rarely without custom. The drawcard here is, undoubtedly, the wine list. This is not some gauche or superficial wine list - there's no $1000 bottles of vintage imported wine on offer. What it does offer is real depth and quality (there's 1990s vintages of Grange Hermitage if you're into that sort of thing). Thirty of the list are available by the glass, and there is also a decent range of half bottles.
For the other end of the scale, there's also a variety of magnums (you start paying money for those) and an excellent selection of fortified wines.
There's an Italian-oriented food menu with both snacks and main meals.
Katy - 23/04/10 I was very disapointed with the staff.
A place like this should be like a boutique clothing store- they greet customers happily and suggest things for them to try on. However, *three* bartenders watched me flipping through the large drink list, clearly unsure of what to get. No cheery welcome/how's it going or suggestions. 1/5
There are currently no specials on offer.
