Going to a wine bar and not having any wine might seem like a silly thing to do but allow me to plead my case. This wine bar, The Wine Library on the Woollahra end of Oxford Street reportedly has some very good morsels to eat on offer. These delicious sounding bites also come at some very reasonable prices too – and Woollahra is not an area known for value particularly in boutique shopping or property prices! I was also on the verge of a cold so I say no to a glass of wine which I know is kind of like going to a steak house and not ordering steak but sometimes a girl just wants to eat. My buddy The Second Wife reports being very pleased with the wines that she had. And this post is a combination of two visits, the first with the fabulous The Second Wife and the second with the lovely Petrina from Donna Hay.
And where is the kitchen? Well it is right behind the bar! The open kitchen where food is prepared is a tiny area and the chefs tells the other customer about how different it is cooking out here whereas in a kitchen they never see much action. Case in point, a tipsy customer comes up to the chef and complains about the toilet door loudly and then lurches back to her seat. The chef look bemused by it all.
“Hmm chicken baguette with fennel pollen mayonnaise” I say drooling. The Second Wife, who it must be said is the perfect partner in crime ( we can get up to so much food mischief!) readily agrees to both the lobster roll and the chicken baguette, a serve of sweet potato chips and a witlof salad.
Chicken baguette with celery and fennel pollen mayonnaise $10
We start with the chicken baguette which has been cut in half for us. It is generously filled with tender chicken and mayonnaise and the bread is a white sourdough baguette. I end up eating the filling out of this as the bread is quite thick.
Lobster roll $15
The lobster roll is next. It is filled with tiny morsels of real lobster meat. It’s not bad but I think I prefer the chicken roll more as the lobster morsels are very small and appear to be more of the leg meat than the larger tail meat. Unusually, there isn’t the fennel pollen mayonnaise on this, it tastes like regular mayonnaise here. We check the menu and indeed, this one is supposed to have the fennel pollen mayo but the other one does. In between visits the price has gone up a few dollars from $12 to $15.
Sweet potato chips $5
The sweet potato chips are well salted and paper thin and crispy and very good and moreish!
Witlof salad $9
The witlof salad, not a salad leaf I usually go for with the bitterness has this bitterness tempered by each leaf having a sprinkling of candied walnuts, salad cream and gorgonzola which makes it a great foil for the crunchy witlof.
Paprika salted almonds $4
Petrina and I are tempted by the crispy roasted paprika salted almonds which has that telltale slight sweetness to the paprika that goes well with the salted almonds, skins also crispy and about to pop off.
Vitello Tonnato $15
I do love vitello tonnato which is cold poached veal slices topped with a tuna mayonnaise and this isn’t bad although perhaps not my favourite dish here as I like the veal sliced quite thinly especially around the edges. There is also olive oil and baby capers on top.
Grilled Halloumi and lemon $8
The squeaky halloumi, like all the hot foods, are prepared behind the bar. We watch as a chef places the slices of salty halloumi on the sandwich press type grill and grills it until golden, then drizzles it with olive oil and places a fat wedge of lemon against it. The saltiness and lemon is good and best eaten while freshly cooked and hot as it loses its lovely gooeyness and squeak when it cools.
Lamb and ricotta gozleme $10
Using real gozleme dough, I didn’t mind this although I prefer beef mince to lamb mince. The lamb mince is strong in cumin and we don’t really get much effect from the ricotta.
Rita’s Eggplant Parmigiana $15
Petrina and I had to order this as it looked so delicious with the boiled over cheese and tomato. We are both trying to eat healthily and whilst I offer up a feeble “Well it is a vegetable” we both have to admit that there’s a whole lot of cheese on it too (which is possibly why we were drawn to it!). In the bowl are layers of soft eggplant, rich tomato sauce and cheese. OK it’s not healthy but it’s the kind of bowl you might snuggle up in bed with on a cold night. Thanks to Rita, whoever you may be!
Afghan biscuit $2.50
We’re perched on the high stools at the front and feel the need for more comfort so we adjourn to the back room. The Second Wife has a glass of bubbles from the extensive wine menu and we order dessert. As we were walking down the back I saw a display of Afghan biscuits, one of my favourite types of biscuits from New Zealand so I order one of those. It’s practically a steal for $2.50! We take a bite and it’s lovely and crumbly with that fantastic mysterious crunch that actually comes from ground up cornflakes. The icing is a bit different from the Afghans that I’ve tried which use a simple icing sugar and cocoa icing. This one is topped with a chocolate buttercream and two walnuts.
Treacle and walnut cheesecake $9
I love cheesecake so I was making puppy eyes at The Second Wife hoping that she would go for this too and she did-isn’t she the perfect partner in crime? The treacle is quite mild, not very treacley here and resembles more a golden syrup and the cheesecake is rich, smooth and creamy with a nutty buttery base.
The Second Wife and I heed the time, it’s almost 6pm on a Friday here and we’re both tired from our working week and it is getting very crowded and noisy here. We make our way through the crowd and spy some rather eager patrons standing out the front wanting to be let in.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you ever go to a wine bar and not drink or a steak house and not order steak?
The Wine Library
18 Oxford Street Woollahra NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9328 1600
Open Mon-Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 9am-6pm
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50 Comments | Add your own
the chicken baguette is very tempting and today on my blog a tribute to donw under land !!!Pierre
I would usually have a glass ( or 2) but if I were getting a cold probably not. Sounds like an ok place, with very reasonable prices. Never had an Afghan biscuit and they sound good so I’m going to keep an eye out for them in future
I’d come here for some gozleme and cheesecake.
I love witlof! never thought it as bitter though…
Another great example of when you are a great cook, you don’t need a fancy kitchen to churn out delicious fare like this!
Is that another queue? So much of that in Sydney? I’ve been wanting to get to that wine bar for a while, I’m sure their wine is great. Good to know the food is ok too. I think the eggplant parmigiana will be on my list if I’m in need of sustenance.
I could definitely not order wine at a wine bar when they have delicious food on offer, but i must order steak at a steakhouse! If its the restaurants specialty, I must get!
wow! look at the rita’s eggplant parmigiana! i agree that there’s lots of cheese in there.
i think i’ve tried having chicken dish at a steak house before, it was still good.
Lorraine, the vino would have helped killed some of the germs!! And made you feel better! Me in a wine bar with no glass in hand – unthinkable! But have been to steak houses and ordered seafood etc often on offer!!
Fennel pollen mayo – one lives and learns! And I agree with the look of the Vitello Tonnato, which happens to be on my ‘house menu’! Too pink for veal too? (oops!)
PS: Mr NQN and all your Finnish bloggers are holding their fingers crossed for Estonia to get into the “Eurovision’ final, aren’t they? I already have mine contorted for Finland – it would be SO nice to exchange 12 points again! Music – which music?
I don’t know where to start, Lorraine. Fennel pollen in a chicken sandwich sounds awesome. The gooey blackened cheese on the eggplant should be gross but it looks so great and satisfying and finally that gozleme is intriguing and I am unfamiliar with it.. boy does that look like a great sandwich… will check out a recipe next… thanks for the great review!
I want Rita’s Eggplant Parmignian! Oh, and that cheesecake…..
I don’t go to wine bars because I no longer drink. But, oh my, why go to a steakhouse and not eat steak? The beauty of the photos of that baguette is that I can PRETEND it is soft, because those rolls sure do look good! We are big fans of homemade baguette at our house.That stuff is even great with butter and marmalade!
buttercream on afghans – that’s just not right
It’s an interesting setup! I wonder how it goes when they’re really busy, it must be tricky for the chef.
I always like to choose just whatever I feel like at the time, not necesarily what everyone else thinks I should order, same with my drinks.
Wow, those dishes look FANTASTIC! And such reasonable prices for food at a nice wine bar. The lobster roll sounds particularly marvelous.
I have been sick in bed all week, but after seeing Rita’s lovely Parmigiana, I think I’m actually starting to get hungry again. What wonderful, curative powers food has!
Would definitely have a steak at a steakhouse – but I can be swayed if they had a non-steak signature dish.
All that food looks AMAZING! Even though I have just had breakfast my mouth is watering…
I often go places and not eat the signature cuisine. My husband and his friends often order the seafood platter when we go out – me being allergic to most fish (and all shellfish) usually orders the fish and ships. Or the salad.
Chips, that should be…
I’ve yet to go but I’m in love with Buzo so I’m sure I’ll love this place.
I love the presentation of the witlof salad and Rita’s eggplant parmigiana looks heavenly!
I’d much rather eat than drink, cold or no cold. We have a library bar in downtown LA, too, but I’ve never visited, due to the reasons I stated above.
I’m glad the food didn’t disappoint, and the sweet potato chips look amazing!
Just had a look at your site map to direct friends – is this place next to ‘Claude’s’ or in the place the latter ‘marvel’ used to be or what? OK – I have not lived in the E Burbs awhile!
Oh it is always busy!!!!!!
Sent from owners daughter
Oh it is always busy!!!
From owners daughter
Yes, I can order fish in a steakhouse too. Coming from a city where great steaks are readily available at a reasonable price, I quite like to order something different when I am travelling!
Hi Lorraine…i’m not likely to go to a wine bar and not order a wine…same for steak!!! all looking good at this bar…seriously so as it’s lunchtime!!!
Oh my, the eggplant parmagiana looks divine!
OMG, the life of a Movie Star!!!
Oh, and LOTS of Merlot, Please….
I love it . I love it….anyhow, Here’s what I would order: Rita’s Eggplant Parmigiana & the Treacle and walnut cheesecake….Yes, This is the LIFE!
All that food looked fantastic. I’m a sucker for haloumi at the moment. Salty goodness!
Honestly you must have just read my mind…I drove past this place not long ago and was thinking “Mmmm I wonder what it’s like…must go past sometime” thanks for doing that for me (twice)
otherwise I’m disappointed…
Now I’ll have to check it out for sure! Love tasty, reasonably priced nibbles with a nice drink or two!
I’ve learnt to never order pasta at a seafood restaurant or seafood at a steakhouse…just go with the flow and order what they do best
It looks absolutely incredible but hideously expensive.
Lorraine you can totally be forgiven for not having any vino there- the food is truly delicious.
I’m known to sneak out to wine library for a long lunch if the office day has been arduous, and the tracle and walnut cheesecake is divine.
I am a fan of the chips and the chook baguette, but my absolute fave is the truffle quesadilla! It makes deadlines disappear!
I like the look of the witlof salad – I like the bitter flavour of witlof. And those almonds look lovely, and halloumi – how I love you!
I don’t drink wine often so I’d quite happily go to this place just for the food (it’s amazing what they guys can do with a sandwich press)!
How very yummy -the eggplant parmigiana looks delicious! I’m quite like you, I reckon forgoing the wine gives me more room in my tummy for food hehe
I drive past here every day twice but havent been in – so big thanks for the review…I like what I see & read!!
In a wine bar – I couldnt not have a cheeky glass of red but my non drinking parter quite happily order mineral water (he comes in handy as the designated driver!).
LOL at the Eurovision comment above – I have watched for years and am still amazed that Germany actually won (I am half German) . They generally v embarassing entries – then again that is the fun of Eurovision…roll on May!! TSCCHHGERMANY 12 points!!
Yes, I’ll often go to a bar and not drink any alcohol, or to a German restaurant and order the fish, lol. I love the description of haloumi cheese being ‘sqeaky’
I must have those sweet potato chips asap!
All the time I go to a place specifically for their specialty and end up getting something else because it appeals to me at the time!
I’ve certainly gone to lot’s of places that had alcohol & not indulged especially as I don’t drink.
I like the chicken sandwich and the lobster.The witlof salad looks lovely.
Looks like a nice place. I often go to wine bars and don’t have wine.
Another fabulous meal. I so need a partner in crime who is willing to order double the dishes and share everything! Oooh that eggplant parm looks amazing! Of course I go into wine bars just for the food and would go into a steak house & order whatever looks best!
Yum, that all looks good. I’m a bit sick of Spanish food already.
Ooh, that cheesecakes looked delicious!! I have been to a wine bar and not ordered wine, but it was only a once-off.
That treacle and walnut cheesecake makes me cry! I had a zucchini and tuna salad for lunch. LAME.
Did you get to taste some wines there too? All of the food looks fantastic!
This is one of the places in Sydney I miss the most! Thanks for reminding me how much I loved it- last time we went we had a mean toastie for breakfast. And a glass of pink wine with your back to the sun at the end of the bar is pretty darn civilised. Promise.
Wowsa look at the food! The desserts & rita’s dish in particular. I always seem to avoid what I ‘should’ order at famous places
Heidi xo
Oh I love a good chicken baguette. I used to eat the ones at Deli France all the time and was so upset when they all closed. Freshly cooked haloumi is the best also!
Mmmmm cheesecake, sweet potato chips, haloumi cheese some of my favourite things, I’ve just had dinner but it’s making me hungry again.
I went here a few months ago and had some delicious wine and a gruyere and caramelised onion sandwich, which was soo yum but I’m a bit disappointed the prices have gone up
haha I guess they wanted to be more like the rest of Woollahra. I still enjoyed it though 
Going to a wine bar and not drinking wine would feel like some kind of torture to me
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[...] Not Quite Nigella reviews The Wine Library (18 Oxford Street, Woollahra) and their Chicken baguette with celery and fennel pollen mayonnaise, Lobster roll, Sweet potato chips, Witlof salad, Paprika salted almonds, Vitello tonnato, Grilled halloumi and lemon, Lamb and ricotta gozleme, Rita’s eggplant parmigiana, Afghan biscuit and Treacle and walnut cheesecake. [...]
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