Cru

The verdict

Nestled in at the far north end of Glenferrie Road in Kew is the neighbourhood’s go-to wine bar, Cru.​​ The 28-seat wine bar operates as a family-friendly cafe during the day while transforming into an intimate and low-lit space at night.

The breakfast menu pays homage to Corsica and its surrounding Mediterranean islands, so you can expect Italian and French flair in dishes such as the baked eggs and meatballs with herb ricotta and tomato sugo as well as staples including eggs benny Florentine royale; an English muffin loaded with double ham, spinach, poached eggs and a generous serve of chive bearnaise.

The Stop 80 is undoubtedly a local favourite being named after the tram stop out the front, featuring a never-fail combo of crispy bacon, fried eggs, tasty cheese, spinach and tomato relish encased in a buttery brioche bun. There are even cocktails featured on the breakfast menu, including a bloody mary and an espresso martini.

By late arvo Cru’s daytime antics transition into all you could want in a wine bar—moody lighting, mellow tunes and a wide selection of hearty wines to match well-thought-out dishes. You can expect share-style plates such as crunchy leek and gorgonzola croquettes and a rich beef tartare with a mustard emulsion through to more substantial dishes including a blue swimmer crab spaghetti coated in a lobster bisque, chilli and capers as well as a French classic—steak frites with 200 gm grilled porterhouse, fries and chive bearnaise sauce. 

Cru’s wine menu is expansive yet carefully curated, with over 300 wines, you’ll be spoilt for choice with rosé from Sardegna in Italy to a 2017 white Rose Kentish from Corsica in France. The venue also has a bottle shop license, making for an ideal pit stop to get your hands on some vino to-go. 

Image credit: CRU (supplied)