Wolfe and Molone A Stunning Wine Bar in Bentleigh
Wolfe and Molone is a new wine bar in Bentleigh that will blow you away. It's no ordinary wine bar. The World Loves Melbourne was invited to experience some of the menu and the innovative wine list.
A quick search on Google and Yelp delivers 0 results for a wine bar in Bentleigh, in Melbourne’s southeast, but thanks to Tanya Hanouch and her sister Monique that has changed!
Wolfe & Molone officially opened in January 2017, in the heart of the bustling Centre Road precinct. The name of the bar comes from the sons of 19th century landowner Mary Chomley, of Prahran, where the Hanouch sisters grew up, and where their parents owned the local milk bar back in the 1980’s. Tanya spoke to me about those days in the 1980s with affection, where the family was around food.
I love a wine bar that's chic but also warm and welcoming. The ambience and decor is all class but the Wolf and Molone experience also feels like a hug from your mum.
Innovative cocktails include this Spritzer with Col Fondo Prosecco which brings the exciting nuances of a dry top notch Italian Prosecco to the table!
With a Lebanese father and Greek Cypriot mother, food and wine were inevitably huge influences, and both sisters have worked extensively in hospitality, within their parents’ numerous food businesses over the years, as well as in bars and restaurants around Melbourne. These experiences were formative, and The World Loves Melbourne picked up straight away that Wolfe and Molone is a foodie haven. (I dig these beer taps by the way, and the savvy beer selection).
Nested Smoked burrata with tapenade and pesto was a triumph. The sort of food I want to be eating with great wine or cocktails. The food menu is short but sweet, with a focus on ethical and sustainable foods from celebrated local Victorian producers and includes cheeses, charcuterie, and a small selection of larger dishes.
Wolfe & Molone has been 5 years in the making, a dream that has finally become bricks and mortar after Tanya could no longer ignore a calling back to hospitality despite a hugely successful career in IT spanning 18 years. We love this being corporates ourselves!
‘Food and wine evokes conversation and brings people together’ says Tanya. “This is what I love, and what I’m most passionate about. Together, Monique and I want to create a place for the afternooners, who will come in to have a glass of wine on the weekend, and end up staying for dinner, and for those people who will call their loved ones as they are coming off the train on a weeknight to say 'hey let’s have a cheeky one before we head home’ “.
“We really want to provide the locals with a place where they become part of our family and we can’t wait to share lots of great food and wine experiences with them.”
House made bread and butter was a beautiful touch.
An avid wine collector since the age of 20, Tanya has built up an extensive and eclectic array of new and different styles of wine, and has always loved to challenge and surprise people’s palates. She sees Wolfe & Molone as a place where locals can “explore all the wonders that wine has to offer”.
The wine list ncludes labels from Australia, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Hungary, and many will be available by the glass, as well as by the bottle for customers to pick up on the way home. Further down the track, regular wine producer events are planned.
There is a small but spectacular cocktail list, including Tanya’s specialty, the Espresso Martini. Monique is in charge of the craft beer selection, and she’s keen to showcase and support local boutique brewers. We had an amazing Spritzer and a Vermouth (and bottle) cocktail at lunch; the surprises kept on coming.
Pumpkin brioche and pastrami is another stunning dish, along with side of potatoes.
Adult croquettes are a must order! Mac & Cheese croquettes with crunchy blue cheese dip was next level. For mac and cheese lovers, and indeed blue cheese lovers, this is a stunning dish. Crunchy croquette on the outside an doozy mac and cheese inside. Rustic overdrive is achieved with the blue cheese dip which is a strong blue cheese offering (not watered down). Spectacular.
Tanya paired the croquettes with the perfect Spanish Rose.
Lamb cutlets with haloumi and peppered figs is the best lamb cutlet dish I've ever had. the cutlets are cooked sous vide by the French chef and are irresistable.
Wall of wine tells a story. Each wine is there for a reason and prized.
Hanging cured meats a welcome sight. And a fortified below to complete a memorable lunch with paired wines.
Highly recommended.
Wolfe & Molone is located at 282 Centre Road, Bentleigh.
For all enquiries contact Tanya Hanouch This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.