The Public Wine Down menu is available from 3pm every Friday and consists of a specially designed menu, cocktails and a DJ. As we had recently visited Public to experience their Saturday brunch menu (read our review here) we were very much looking forward to what Friday night had to offer.
On arrival we were greeted by the glorious view out of enormous floor to ceiling windows overlooking the busy corporate world of Franklin Street. Perusing the menu we excitingly giggle at all the delicious sounding dishes. One thing I (Amanda) have noticed about Public is that their menus are very well designed using all the favourite elements in a simple but tantalising way.
As we loved everything we read on the menu, we couldn’t decide what to order and instead left it in Public’s capable hands to select our meals and drinks for us.
First out, a couple of glasses of bubbles to fizz away our work day blues. Followed closely by an Espresso Martini and Aperol Spritz (pictured). Modern day classic cocktails that we both enjoyed.
I mean, who doesn’t enjoy an awakening espresso martini using good quality coffee beans and a refreshing aperol spritz that is easy to drink and goes with everything!
Our first dish was the ‘Burrata’ with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and served with a side of chargrilled bread. Burrata is an Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It is softer and creamier than a regular mozzarella cheese and a joy to eat with its perfect companion of tomato, basil and bread.
The tomatoes were especially fresh, sweet and perfectly firm and the bread chargrilled to bring wonderful smokey flavours to all this freshness. A simple but well executed start to the night.
Next ‘Duck Leg Croquettes’ with panko crumbs and a cherry mayonnaise for dipping. These disc shaped croquettes were full of duck meat and not the super creamy croquette version I am used to.
The creaminess came from the cherry mayonnaise dipping sauce which I wouldn’t have known was cherry flavoured but worked as well as the marriage of turkey and cranberry!
To help line our stomachs in preparation for the cocktails that were to come, we are served the ‘House Made Gnocchi’ with mushrooms, truffle oil, grana padano and herbs.
The gnocchi were a lot larger than your standard and were lightly fried to give a slight crispy outer that almost created a caramelised feel from the truffle oil and melted grana padano (cheese).
Fresh herbs lifted the flavour profile again completing this dish superbly. Final verdict: I need to return and eat this again!
To cut through the rich and filling gnocchi, we were served chargrilled broccoli with yoghurt, currants and pistachio. A perfect vegetarian side dish that took broccoli from ordinary to exciting with the chargrill infusing smokey flavours throughout. Coated nicely in the thick yoghurt, with sweet chewy currants and crunchy pistachio it was a well rounded tasty dish.
It was such a shame we were full by this stage otherwise we would have loved to have continued on but it just means we have another excuse to return. We had a great night at the Public Wine Down from the attentive service, stylish surroundings, delicious food, fun cocktails and cool beats from the DJ, it really is an awesome place to grab a group of friends and spend the evening bringing in the weekend together. TGIF!
Amanda xx
:: Feature image credit: Public ::
