An old rustic feel, a quaint curved bar with matching stools, leather banquettes, tiled floors, and distressed raw concrete walls. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in Florence sipping a class of Sangiovese and eating a bowl of pasta. But you’re actually in Saint Urban, the new local wine bistro in Richmond.

Owner Martin Pirc, and head chef Daniel Schelbert from Melbourne icon of 20 years Punch Lane are the ones opening this new venue, named after the patron saint of wine. How fitting. Head down the alley to the real door (not the front door surprisingly), and be welcomed by friendly service that offers a home away from home atmosphere.

When it comes to the food menu, you can graze or go the whole way. Start with Sheep’s haloumi with peppered wild figs, while king prawns with chilli and lime, or a charcuterie plate served with pickles and condiments. If you’re going with an entrée, main, dessert vibe, order the likes of charred ox tongue, mustard fruit, and horseradish, a larger barramundi fillet with fennel, picked rhubarb, and chorizo, and end with a decedent chocolate pudding with peanut butter ganache, and roast banana ice cream. There is of course a selection of artisanal cheeses if you’re more a savoury person. What bistro would be complete without fromage?

But what about the wine, we hear you ask? There are just under 20 wines by the glass including the NV Jacquesson Curvee 738 from Champagne, France, the Provenance Pinot Gris from Tarringon Victoria, and the Miette By Spinifex Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. The beers list is mainly local with the likes of the Mountain Goat IPA, with one international guest, the Schoefferhofer from Germany. There’s a tight list of classic cocktails like the Negroni, Kir Royal, and the Aperol Spritz for those kinds of evenings.

We’ll meet you down the alley.

Saint Urban
213 Swan Street, Richmond
(03) 8456 0933
official website