Carlton Wine Room

There’ll always be something different and exciting to swirl in your glass at Carlton Wine Room.

There are half-serve options if you’ve been eyeing off desserts.

172-174 Faraday St, Carlton

[phone]

thecarltonwineroom.com.au

There’ll always be something different and exciting to swirl in your glass at Carlton Wine Room.

Like funky orange wine made from ancient falanghina grapes near Naples or an organic nebbiolo from Italy’s Lombardy region.

Co-owner Travis Howe has no shortage of homegrown hits from the Yarra Valley or Mornington to suggest.

Stracciatella, mushroom, rosemary, focaccia.

His approachable wine list is a drawcard, but so is the parade of home-style cooking by chef John-Paul Twomey.

There’s an irresistibly crisp potato focaccia square for dunking into oozy stracciatella, while the two-bite anchovy toast is downright delicious.

Larger plates are great for sharing but there are half-serve options if you’ve been eyeing off dessert.

Whether you’re cosied in a plush booth upstairs or at the chatty downstairs bar, Carlton Wine Room serves luxe food and drinks without a hint of wine snobbery.

Must-eat dish: Stracciatella, mushrooms, rosemary, potato focaccia

Cuisine: Contemporary

Chef: John-Paul Twomey

Price: $$

Bookings: Yes

BYO: Mondays only

Open: Lunch & dinner Thu-Mon 12-11pm; dinner Tues-Wed 4-11pm

Instagram: @thecarltonwineroom