Spencer & Co

The story goes like this. Passionate owner Carmel Pietromartire leaves her corporate high flying life to pursue her love for food and wine. The result? Spencer & Co Wine Bar Provedore - a wonderfully cosy haven for cheese and wine lovers.

Almost 2 years on from our first visit, we’re happy to report that Spencer & Co is still as inviting as ever.

Located in leafy Rathdowne Village, the venue is a slick European bistro and wine bar that is perfect for imbibing in food matched with wine. This chique fitout does not come at the expense of warmth, as Spencer & Co exudes a welcoming and casual atmosphere perfect for people of all walks of life to gather.

The venue specialises in exceptional produce, cheese and wine flights, cheese platters and antipasti boards, but not as you know it, with items carefully and painstakingly sourced by Carmel from a selection of trusted local and international suppliers from various parts of France. We loved tasting our way through the menu, with each course perfectly matched with wine.

To start, beautiful woodland mushroom adorned with crisp gratin and Persian feta whetted our appetites. The Baked brie was similarly delicious and oozed decadently – perfect to mop up with their house made sourdough.

For mains, the Catalan style barramundi was cooked to perfection and served with a hearty cannellini beans and harissa sauce.

For meat lovers the 350g Cape Grim bavette steak is a must have. Served with salsa verde and potato, the dish is full of flavour and features perfectly cooked flank steak.

Whatever you do, do not leave without trying the seasonal cheese and charcuterie selection. One of the best that Melbourne has to offer, the current selection includes exceptional local cheeses from Victoria as well as international guests including a stunning La Tur (Goat, Sheep & Cow’s Milk) from Lombardy, a pungent, very rich and deliciously creamy Pont l’Eveque from Normandy as well as a rich Sheep’s Milk Truffle Pecorino from Muggelano Valley.

Location: 639 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

Phone: (03) 9077 1323

Link: http://spencercowinebar.com.au/