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The Deanery

places|vic|melbourne|the%20deanery
An award-winning wine list, slick modern décor and a place to park your favourite bottle of prized plonk – what more could a wine lover ask for? Maybe a delicious Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired menu? Done.

Editorial


Tucked away at the end of Bligh Place, just off Flinders Lane right near Robot is a curious little hole in the wall. This is one of those Melbourne gems that is so hidden you need to hear about it from a friend to even know it exists. Step into industrial-designed, magazine-worthy décor with polished concrete and cutting edge sculpture on the walls, and the Deanery has got you under its spell. White leather seats and a vaguely Japanese-inspired minimalism surround you, creating an elegant wining and dining ambience. The wine bar on ground level has understated, low banquette style seating with a über-modern lighting display created by balsa-wood shades that give off dramatic effects.

And happily for us wine snobs, being a 'wine reserve', wine is what The Deanery does best. So accommodating of the quaffing class are they, that they also offer a security-controlled wine storage service in their vast climate-controlled cellar. This takes BYO to a whole new level because now you can consume your own vino in the bar, and also collect or deposit your favourite bottles at any time during opening hours.

As you can imagine, the wine list is impressive and well chosen, and happily there's a large selection by the glass so you don't have to commit to a bottle. I started off with some French sparkling Agrapart 'Terroirs' Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru ($25), and then stuck with quality Australian drops for the rest of the evening. The wait staff are all super wine-savvy and will also help you match your meal to your wine, or vice versa, depending on your priorities.

Check the website for regular news and events; keen wine lovers don't want to miss out on the Cellar Raids that are held on the last Wednesday of every month. That's when the owner/sommelier Anthony Jones raids the climate-controlled cellar and pulls out some choice drops for all to enjoy.

Meri Harli, May 2010

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paul
April 06, 2007


Entertained clients there several times now, and never let down. Food is fantastic. Wine list; the best. Service cannot be faulted. Great little restaurant. A little different.

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