121BC

9 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Just a great place for a few wines and food. Great short but comprehensive list of Italian wines, and happily explained about by the staff to us. Short great selection of food. The bresaola and watermelon was fabulous.

Apr 25, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

What a hidden gem! Well, maybe not so much anymore. We had been here last year as part of Good Food Month activities. The first time was part of the Italian progressive dinner (highly recommended) and the second time as part of one of the wine and food pairing nights (also highly recommended). This was our first time visiting independent of an event. We went on a Friday evening at 6:30pm, so I was a bit wary that we wouldn't get a table.

Luckily, they have someone greeting people at the door and seating them as they come in. We scored the end of the long skinny table for the 4 of us.

While they do have wines by the glass on the blackboard, since there were 4 of us, we ventured into the wine shop to pick out a few bottles of wine. The lovely man who helped us was very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive the whole evening. He helped us in making our wine selections and had good recommendations for what to order.

Their food menu (small plates meant for sharing) changes often due to the seasonal produce. We ended up making our way through the entire menu, with a couple repeats. My favourite was the buffalo mozzarella with the zucchini. At the end of our meal, we shared desserts and capped it off with after dinner drinks.

In total, we spent a little over $100 per person, but considering that we had had 3 bottles of wine, after dinner drinks, and left feeling full and satisfied, it was good value for money. I will definitely be back for some more good food and wine.

Mar 29, 2012 

8.6 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

This restaurant serves top quality produce put together perfectly to suit the wines on offer. The restaurant's decor has dark colours which make it cosy.

Nov 15, 2011 

8.2 Recommended

Quality  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Wow what a find, was going to Belviour St and not wanting the usual pubs googled wine wbars in the area and hey presto found this little diamond. Enjoyed it very much first class all around could have been sitting in Melb somewhere (thanks Clover), had olives, sausage and cabbage, chicken wings and cheese plate all were yum but wings and sausage outstanding.

Service attentive and knowedgeable. I like the restrictive wine list and menu, simple things done very, very well. I will return at first excuse, which is always my highest recommendation.

Nov 13, 2011 

7.2 Recommended

Quality  6      Drinks  10      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Of course, perfect if you like italian wine, which I do. But I was driving so couldn't truly indulge. It was a little hard to find this restaurant, not quite where the address says it is (its a hole in the wall style afair). Very small space, and an even smaller kitchen I'm thinking. Cosy, and good for an intimate girls night catch up I had with three mates this Wednesday night. Small share plate style. Not overly generous servings. But at least when I kept running out of bread for my cheese, the waiter kept asking if I wanted more.

Again, dark and moody...seems to be a theme with me and restaurants right now! Not sure I'd rush back for dinner. A drink and a snack after work, perhaps, or before going somewhere else. Did enjoy though (especially the many double entendres from the wait staff though!).

Aug 26, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

This place was excellent. My wife and I dropped in for a Wednesday dinner and found a table right away. I have been told that on busy nights the small seating number and no bookings can be an issue.

I loved the fact that they had loads of wines to choose from in their bottle shop and only put 15 bucks on the price to drink it in the bar. Much better value than most restaurants.

The food was simple and delicious Italian and more interesting than pizza and pasta. I highly recommend 121bc.

Aug 23, 2011 

8.4 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

Really quirky, fun place. Enjoyed everything we ordered, tried some very different wines, tapas serves could perhaps be larger. Service was great, these guys really know their wine list, will be back soon.

Aug 08, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  8      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Came here with a friend after hearing so much about it. Totally surpassed my expectations. Not knowing too much about wines and little to no Italian. I asked the bar staff for recommendations all night and every glass was better than the next. Whilst it was a little pricey for $10-$14 for 100mL of wine, it was good value.

We had the Ribs, Pigs Ear, Olives, and Cannellini Bruschetta. Whilst the portions were small, it meant you can try a little bit of everything. As my friend said, its a bit like Italian Yum Cha.

Overall had a good night out. Probably would have never found it without the help of my friend.

Jun 09, 2011 

9.6 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I had read about 121BC in Gourmet Traveller recently and decided to give it a try. It was beautiful. From the second we walked in the door there was a great vibe in everything from staff through to other patrons, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The wine list is divided into Italian regions, whites and reds and if you have no idea where to start, ask any of the staff, they have a fantastic knowledge and were more than happy to assist. We enjoyed everything we drank. Wines are served in 100 ml glasses, rather than the standard 120 ml - but to 121BC's credit, as you can sample better quality at more reasonable prices (starting at $5.50 through to $13.50 p/glass tonight). Quality overrides quantity.


As for food - it was just as lovely. A small selection of exceptionally well priced, simple (in the most complex sense of the word!), well-thought, top quality produce put together perfectly to suit the wines on offer. We began with a Salumi platter, which was great and also shared the grilled mortadella with onions and corn with mozzarella and mint (a mushed mix of fresh corn kernals, buffalo mozzarella and fresh mint)...everything was fantastic.

I couldn't recommend it more...whether it's for a light drink before dinner or a long lingering night of good food and wine. Just remember to visit the attached wine shop to grab a bottle to take with you on your way home. - If you want, you can also choose a bottle from the wine shop and bring it into the bar with a corkage of $15 p/bottle. There are some wonderful choices in the shop and a knowledgeable attendant to match!

May 14, 2011 

7.6 Recommended

Quality  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

A great little bar that came in to being as a tribute to the success of Vini. A small, noisy, long space that feels quite rich. Brightly enough lit but with dark colours to make it cosy.

All Italian wines which are not my favourite but nice to try something different. We paid $6 and $10 per glass. The $6 rose was actually quite good.

The wait staff were great and constantly juggling people waiting get in. Hectic! They missed bringing our final dish and the waitress was horrified when she found out. That saved the situation.

Foodwise the menus changes according to what's in season. We had marrow and mushroom crostini (a big tick), grilled mortadella with grilled onions (very good and wouldn't have considered grilling previously), polenta with Gorgonzola (very, very excellent) and figs with radicchio, ricotta and pomegranate. $65 for 4 glasses of wine and 4 small dishes of good quality.

We would like the cheese platter we ordered as we still felt hungry but weren't entirely unhappy. Fairly reasonable value we though with wine being $32 and food $33 for both of us. A nice place to go for a pre-dinner drink and a small bite or a light meal.

Apr 07, 2011