Shadow Play by Peppers has revealed it’s brand new wine bar and restaurant, just a few months after opening its doors in Melbourne.
Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar features the same dark, sophisticated feel as Shadow Play by Peppers, while the menu shines a spotlight exclusively on Victorian food and beverages.
Head chef Ritesh Patil said it wasn’t difficult to create a strictly Victorian menu.
“Not only does Victoria produce the best seafood, meats, cheeses and local produce in Australia but we have some great local producers here who deserve to step out of the shadows of being just a supplier and be seen as co-creators of our menu of excellence,” he said.
Menu highlights include locally cured Daylesford salumi and cheese supplied by Marie at Emerald Deli at South Melbourne markets.
Patil’s food philosophy is all about simplicity, so expect to see just four or five ingredients in each dish.
“It is much more powerful to have each ingredient speak for itself,” he said.
“I don’t over-complicate my dishes because this just drowns each ingredient’s contribution to a dish.”
The beverage menu is led by resident sommelier Yu Kurosawa who has continued the Victorian theme throughout the drink selection.
“Our menu features wine from each of Victoria’s 21 wine regions with an almost equal gender balance between male and female winemakers,” she said.
“In fact, our entire drinks menu is locally sourced including water and soft drinks from Daylesford, orange juice from Caulfield and soda and mixers from Kyneton.”
Spirits including gin, vodka, whisky, rum, vermouth and liqueurs are also produced in Victoria.
Tastings and events
The venue is also encouraging guests to discover the stories behind its wine list with its monthly wine program, created by sommelier and wine educator Dan Sims.
Each month will focus on a different Victorian wine region and the free evening event will be presented by the winemakers themselves.
Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar can also be utilised for events and features an intimate cellar space ideal for private dinners.
