A newcomer to the wine-bar-cum-diner genre in Canberra, Vincent paints on a pleasantly familiar canvas. The space is minimalist in style, with neutral tones, warm Edison pendant lighting, and bar-style seating to rival The Chaser’s election desk.
A concise wine and food offer – presented on a Scrabble-tile-like menu à la Andrew McConnell’s Marion wine bar in Melbourne – reinforces the sense of relaxed dining. The wine selection (around half a dozen reds and whites) pulls focus on France and Italy, with good-value pours running from Bordeaux to Barolo. And there’s plenty of wine smarts among the youngish floor crew.
The eats lean toward the accessible, with familiar combinations of flavours and ingredients: beetroot and goat’s cheese, pork belly and cauliflower, lamb with eggplant and feta. Rare wagyu beef with pomme purée is a highlight, while mushroom arancini and a mini lobster burger round out the snacking options.
Vincent’s still a work in progress, but a welcome one at that.
Vincent, 48 Macquarie St, Barton, ACT (02) 6273 7773, vincentrestaurant.com.au
