Tucked away off the main drag of Bulli is a cosy courtyard with sun filtering through the greenery. You might have enjoyed a coffee there this morning, but with the sun setting on a Saturday evening, the week wrapping up, it could definitely be time for a glass of the harder stuff. Who knows what the rest of the weekend holds? Luckily, Park Road Wine has you sorted.
An extension of Park Road Garage, the wine bar opened in August this year and has been a welcome addition to the community. Head chef and venue manager, Nathan Clowry has worked alongside bar manager Sam Frey to ensure there’s something for everyone, creating a zest for exploration.
“In Bulli, I think that kind of pub niche is handled at the moment, so we wanted it to be somewhere where people could come down and just relax a little bit more.”
With the heritage exterior, the pair have tried to bring together the old and the new.
“From the get-go, when I saw the space, I wanted it to be about the contrast of what maybe some younger people in hospitality would do in an old venue. So I think it was always about the clash of new and old. We want to have the plates and the cutlery and the wine glasses to be a bit old school, but then we’re trying to do some new things on that, and then that’s the vision we wanted to have for the whole venue,” said Nathan.
That attitude is reflected in the venue itself, with a vibe suited for all different occasions.
“We’ve got a small sort of dining area inside, a nice, romantic spot, candle lit. Then if you’d like, we’ve got the courtyard outside as well, nice and bright, especially through summer, sun beaming, fairy lights up. You just sort of get to choose your own adventure with dining here”, said Sam.
It’s this simultaneous battle and union of the old and new, the romantic and modern that make Park Road Wine the summer spot to be.
From working together at a former staple in the Wollongong dining scene, Babyface, Nathan and Sam were keen to get started in a new venue. The pair have crafted a beautiful menu that focuses on sharing wines with the local community.
“The thing about a place like this where it’s quite small is that you want to start with our wine list small and then build as we go. So we want to see what people are interested in but also what intrigues them and try to push into that as well,” said Nathan.
If you’re ever stuck making a decision, staff are always happy to recommend something.
“My favourite glass that we are pouring at the moment is the Acme Vineyards Pinot Noir, which is really delicious, quite crunchy and smashable,” said Sam.
There are also a variety of cocktails that are worth indulging in.
“We are doing a yuzu margarita. So yuzu is sort of like a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, so it’s just a real punchy marg. We’re doing some spritzes as well. So we’ve got a nice seasonal rotation of stock for a spritz. At the moment it’s a blood orange spritz, and we did a fig and honey one before.”
The focus on flavours extends beyond the drinks menu and straight into the kitchen. Nathan wanted to provide a variety of options for every occasion.
“We are trying to encapsulate the whole, come in, have just a cheese board if you want to or a little snack and then have a large main if you want to.”
With a career background in baking, Nathan has also used this menu to trial a variety of hearty snacks.
“I wanted to do things that go really well with bread and being able to sit there and drag some bread through some dishes. And then we always have a rotating dessert because I can’t stay away from baking at the moment.”
There’s also a huge focus on the homemade that sets the dining experience apart.
“The bread’s made here, the butter’s made here, all the little things… are made here,” said Nathan.
Park Road Wine hones in on the gourmet and leaves you set to indulge on a warm afternoon. Next time you find yourself in the area, be sure to stop in and start choosing your own adventure.
Park Road Wine
233 Princes Hwy, Bulli @parkroadwine
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