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Carlton Wine Room

Inner-city oasis for top drops, masterfully matched.

The wine room is in a 19th-century building.
1 / 9The wine room is in a 19th-century building.Supplied
Anchovy and ricotta on toast.
2 / 9Anchovy and ricotta on toast.James Braund.
Scallop tostadas.
3 / 9Scallop tostadas.Simon Schluter
Outside the historic building.
4 / 9Outside the historic building.Supplied
Stracciatella and potato focaccia.
5 / 9Stracciatella and potato focaccia.Simon Schluter
Mussel ‘salad’.
6 / 9Mussel ‘salad’.Kristoffer Paulsen
A bright new interior.
7 / 9A bright new interior.Kristoffer Paulsen
Potato focaccia, stracciatella and  zucchini.
8 / 9Potato focaccia, stracciatella and zucchini.Kristoffer Paulsen
Duck and pork croquettes.
9 / 9Duck and pork croquettes.Simon Schluter

Good Food hat15/20

European$$

No matter how far from home you are you’ll feel part of the neighbourhood here, plonked in the middle of all the off-Lygon action.

Prefer to navigate the helpfully coded wine list at the bar? Sidle up and let charming staff steer. A bright Beaujolais gamay is expertly paired with pan-fried flathead; the fish marooned in prawn bisque with minuscule-yet-meaty prawns. A tin of creamy kingfish rillettes capped with salmon roe exists to be slathered on snap-thin toasted rye.

Broccoli salad is like a flavour pinata, the intensity of pickled radicchio, yuzu and sesame seeds soothed by soft, creamy eggplant. Grilled wagyu rump cap benefits from a smattering of melty marrow cubes and a side of grilled cos. Olive oil cake brings it all home, tucked under a lemon cream duvet.

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5fhha