Brunswick Street can be an interesting experience on weekends, locals pouring onto the streets out of noisy pubs, drunk teenagers shovelling kebabs down their throats and nervous punters queuing for late night venues.

 With just a little artful dodging you can take shelter at St Jude’s Cellars, Brunswick Street’s pinnacle of soft lighting and good drinks.  High ceilings and the industrial feel of a converted warehouse tick the sleek and modern boxes while sparse greenery, an eclectic patronage and fully stocked wine racks scattered through the room draw you in.

The venue’s focus is clearly on wine from the imported and old world, to the best of modern Australian. A retail wine offering provides the option to take-away or to dine with your bottle for an extra $15.00. The staff  are knowledgeable and well placed to find the perfect wine to match your dish, mood or occasion without coming across as stuffy or patronising. 

At St Jude’s, local and organic ingredients play hero throughout the menu. Highlights include the Gippsland rib eye for two, served with mustard, salsa verde, fried potatoes and salad and the braised pork jowl plated up with pickled cabbage, poached egg, black pudding, apple and balsamic. 

Start your initiation by dropping in for the ten dollar West Australian sherry and whitebait special, that li’l something to get you through the week without completely crossing the line. 

If you tend to take things too far, interrupt your liquid dinner with a charcuterie platter –  wagyu bresaola, amazing pickle and the most indulgent veal rilette were the highlights on my board.

Once you’re well acquainted, round up your friends for a social round-table, there are events and specials taking place at St Jude’s Cellars all the time. 

On the last Thursday of each month, St Jude’s offers five courses plus wine for $65.00.  A percentage of each ticket is donated to local welfare organisation St Mary’s House of Welcome. Tips earned on the night are also donated.