Sonny
Bench space is a hot commodity at Sonny, a 20-seat wine bar in a corridor-like room on the edge of the CBD.
You’ll find most of that space on the communal timber table that bifurcates the room: one side lined with diners; the other with staff pouring lo-fi wines, prepping prosciutto in the meat slicer, or handing out plates of steaming house-made pasta. Elsewhere, a couple of small tables offer extra room for enlivened guests and might have a cluster of Little Potter plates topped with oysters or beef tartare.
A dedicated bench has also been squeezed in for the record player, which connects to locally made Pitt & Giblin speakers and spins the soundtrack for the night, featuring records from Aretha Franklin and Prince to Khruangbin.
This is the combo that makes it easy to settle into Matt Breen’s (Ogee, ex-Templo) Sonny for the night – if you can get a seat. Once you do, Breen and the rest of the team will take you through the wine list: a rotating selection of around 10 by the glass and dozens more by the bottle. And, if you can’t decide, you can opt for one of the mystery glasses – likely low intervention, most certainly delicious. The list changes often and is always chalked up on a blackboard on the wall.
As is the food menu, which features elevated bar snacks and comforting house-made pasta. Most of the dishes are prepared in the simple open kitchen that extends towards the end of the space. Start with small plates like Tasmanian oysters with onion mignonette, cucumber and anchovies on toast, or local honey and gouda cheese on toasted brioche. For mains, expect silky, house-made pasta bursting with umami. And for dessert, it might be a classic cannoli or tiramisu served in a spoon. It’s not unwise to order one of everything and make the most of your hard-won spot.
As the night unravels, you might even make friends as you squeeze past the stools to get to the bathroom. The space’s communal feel means that other guests are often up for a chat, or a dance, depending on the tunes.
Contact Details
Phone: No phone
Website: sonny.com.au
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