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Paranormal Wines

Hidden gem in a high-ceilinged bottle shop.

The exterior.
1 / 6The exterior. Ashley St George
White anchovy and cucumber soldiers.
2 / 6White anchovy and cucumber soldiers.Supplied
Whipped cod roe.
3 / 6Whipped cod roe. Supplied
Pork terrine with pickles, mustard and bread.
4 / 6Pork terrine with pickles, mustard and bread. Supplied
Welsh rarebit.
5 / 6Welsh rarebit.Supplied
Tarama with tomatoes and chilli.
6 / 6Tarama with tomatoes and chilli.Ashley St George
14.5/20

Contemporary$$

This natural wine bar and shop might seem more at home in an inner city locale rather than one of Canberra’s oldest suburbs, but it draws in drinkers across a spectrum, from conservative tasters to lovers of lo-fi funk.

Reese Inkpen’s smart share plates, meanwhile, are a drawcard unto themselves. Recently returned from a stint in London, the chef sends out panisse (the fried chickpea-flour soldiers) tweaked each week with different toppings, such as mortadella and tapenade, and potatoes fried in rice flour with house mayonnaise are a revelation.

Larger plates include a mightily flavoured pork and ’nduja crepinette with lentils, and a wonderfully crisp salad championing celeriac, apple and walnut. Given you can open any bottle from the retail shelves with a small fee, Paranormal is also home to one of the best wine lists in town.

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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/goodfood/nsw-good-food-guide/paranormal-wines-20240206-p5f2tg.html