Bar Superette’s fromage and charcuterie plates to share with a side of bread give plenty of bang for your buck. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
When describing Bar Superette to my Canberra friends, I tell them it’s Bar Rochford at the beach. And there’s plenty to compare between the two venues: both are cosy wine bars with stellar lists, great bar snacks and a record collection run by young hospo professionals at the top of their game.
But Bar Superette is no carbon copy; this intimate establishment in Market Street is forging a unique path in Merimbula.
Whether you perch at the bar, grab a table or pull up a chair outside to watch the world go by, don’t miss the opportunity to peruse Superette’s impressive collection of wines. As well as choosing your tipple by the glass, you can also purchase bottles off the shelf and have them in-store, or to take home.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff can talk you through your options. After choosing the first bottle ourselves, my friends and I were more than happy to take recommendations and during the relaxed, boozy afternoon session we were never steered wrongly with the bar staff’s selections.
Grab a bottle off the shelf or from the fridge, or choose from the cocktail list or by-the-glass offerings. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The menu is flexible enough to incorporate snacks and sharing plates or a more comprehensive meal. We first ordered one fromage and one charcuterie plate to share among our group with a side of bread. When they came out, I was a little apprehensive about the size, but the small plates were loaded with treats and gave plenty of bang for our buck. The saucisson and ‘nduja salami were particularly good.
Onto our second bottle (a skinsy orange wine) and still feeling a little snacky, we checked out the other plates on offer. For a mid-afternoon session we didn’t need the larger plates (although the steak frites looked very good), so we stuck to the smaller dishes, which were easier to share.
Yes, I will be returning for the steak frites. Photo: Bar Superette/Instagram.
A whipped-ricotta and peaches dish was a lovely accompaniment to the wine: summery and fresh. I found the confit lamb ribs a touch too salty and not quite as tender as I’d hoped, but the accompanying sauces helped to balance things out.
However, the asparagus with sauce gribiche and white anchovies was one of the most delicious dishes I’ve had in a long time. The standout pairing of fresh, seasonal produce had an expertly balanced sauce of egg, dill and pickles topped with sweet, salty fish. It was very hard to share.
We finished off with a bowl of frites and a light red wine before wandering back across the bridge for a lazy evening.
Bar Superette is a proper grown-up bar. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Bar Superette is something that Merimbula has been missing: a proper grown-up, independent bar, unattached from an RSL, bowls club or hotel with pokies. If you just want a drink, it’s great. If you want to stay for a nice meal, it’s great. If you want to snack away a Saturday afternoon with your mates over a few bottles of wine, it’s great.
If I’d been in town for longer, I would have gone back every night – and I might just move there forever.
Bar Superette is at 16/20 Market Street, Merimbula, NSW.
It is open from midday until 9 pm seven days a week.
Book a table and follow the venue on Instagram.
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