With Andy Emerson on the floor and Jesse McTavish in the kitchen, Avalon's white-washed Bar Elvina has quickly become a go-to destination for Sydney's northern beaches. Now, just in time for summer, it has a new sibling.

Randy's is not only younger, but smaller (it only seats 26), sliding into the shopfront space where the Elvina crew used to peddle sandwiches at Sandy's.

Emerson, and fellow owners McTavish and Nick Musgrave, wanted to create something they felt Avalon village needed: a wine bar for the community. Its opening trade suggests it has hit that mark, with many locals pit-stopping there throughout the day.

"It's a creative outlet for us, full of fun varietals, nothing mainstream," Emerson says of the wine list. The food sounds pretty good as well, a tight menu of simple dishes elevated by an interesting addition. Steak tartare is pimped with mustard mayo, bresaola with "whipped parmesan" and butter-poached marron tail has a tarragon emulsion.

The interior, from the Caswell Group, mixes pink marble countertops and beachy light shades in a shopfront with a facade that wouldn't look out of place in the inner city. With the holiday beach rentals about to kick in, Randy's might have timed its opening nicely.

Open Thu-Sun 12-10pm.

Shop 2/50 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, randyswine.com.au