North Sydney is in dire need of good wine bars and an unexpected saviour has come in the form of a bottle shop that turned a corner of its floor space into a mini restaurant and bar.
I’m not entirely sure which of its three names I ought to use, however. The store is North Sydney Cellars but the street sign says Drink Better Wine and the bar inside is called The Oasi. Regardless, it’s located on the bottom of an office building on Miller Street, the ambiance here is … well, let’s call it functional. The inside area is filled with tables and has a bright, café feel while the outside section has slightly more of a bar atmosphere to it at night. However, there’s a good buzz thanks to the customers (most of whom are office workers although there seems to be a few locals), the service is friendly and most importantly the selection of wine is outstanding.
I’m here with a North Shore native who insists on calling herself Our Lady of the North and we’ve just come from having cocktails at the Union Hotel. It’s past 9pm on a Friday and North Sydney is beginning to empty, but there’s still a lively crowd at Drink Better Wine.
We grab two glasses of the 2006 Clos Clare Grenache, which turns out to be the best wine I’ve had in a bar for a long time. The aroma is sweet and full while the flavour is fruity with berry overtones. I make a note to myself to come back at some point and buy a bottle.
We also grab a cheese plate with Manchego (a Spanish cheese made from sheep milk), Roquefort and Brie, all of which is served with dried grapes and apple slices. All three of our cheeses are gorgeous and I especially recommend the Manchego, which has a gentle, creamy flavour. Those after heartier fare can also order meals such as pasta, a mushroom risotto, various paninis and a twice-baked Gruyere soufflé.
Unable to stop at just one glass, I finish off with a glass of the 2006 Massena “Howling Dog” Durif, which has a strong, bold spicy taste and leaves a velvety smooth feel in the mouth. If you like shiraz then I suggest giving this a shot.
If you’re after a seductively atmospheric bar then this isn’t it – but if you feel like some great wine then you can’t go wrong here. Furthermore, you can also order wine in 60ml tasting cups (ranging in price from $4 to $45) if you don’t want to commit to a whole glass or, heaven forbid, a bottle.
Drink Better Wine, 189 Miller Street (corner of Berry Street and opposite Historic Rag and Famish Pub), North Sydney. Phone 9954 0090 or see the Drink Better Wine website. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Sundays and Mondays closed from 4pm.
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate Drink Better Wine / Oasi?
Nicole says
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 5:08 pmDrink Better Wine is a greatly appreciated addition to North Sydney / Crows Nest area – we have lived in the area for the past 10 years and are well and truly over all of the Thai and Indian places in Crows Nest… why are there not other varieties of restaurant open in the area?? Thank goodness for Drink Better Wine – we had read a review in the SMH and glad to say that it lived up to expectations. We enjoyed the Mezze platter for 4, decided to share some mains (Rissotto, Salmon platter) and add a dessert or two (a bargain at $3 for a slice of orange/chocolate cake!) – We give a big thumbs up to the restaurant, the service is efficient and friendly, sharing meals is encouraged rather than being frowned upon and the clincher is that you don’t pay for restaurant prices for the wine, they charge no mark up for the bottles, just pick it up off the shelf and pass onto the staff to serve!! We enjoyed two bottles, yes two bottles for $38 total!! Will absolutely be back soon!
Ross says
Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 7:57 amWe have been to Drink Better Wine several times now with mixed results. There is an excellent wine selection (as you would expect from a cellar) and the food is very good. The big issue I have is with the service. Our latest foray to this wine bar ended abruptly when we were told we had to move indoors because they wanted the outdoor seats for somebody else. We had just got started on our 3rd bottle and had been there for a considerable period at an unreserved table and to have this occur was unforgivable. Discussions with the manager proved unfruitful and extremely disappointing in their lack of any sort of good customer relations. Good wine, good food but bad service. We will not be going back and I would not recommend it to anyone.
John says
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 3:57 pmI second that… rudest service ever. there’s no reason to go to places like this
Patricia says
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 5:31 pmI love eating at this place. I am usually on my own & have always received the best of service. The food & wine is second to none. I wouldn’t eat anywhere else in North Sydney :)