Secret Slurps at Nudge Nudge Wink Wink
Our resident sommelier Tony Cox has a nose for sniffing out the best slurps on the street. He shares a few of his favourite drops and must-drink choices from one of the hottest spots in town. Thank us later.
For anyone who hasn’t paid attention, Noosa Junction has seen a plethora of new venues open in the past six or so months. Think Theo’s Social, Muse, Notch, Flo’s Creperie, Scoop and the latest, Atelier.
The title of grooviest outlet would have to go to Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (NNWW), a sexy bar discreetly tucked down the side of Hillsong College (oh the irony!).
Think big city sophistication, bold, colourful wallpaper, a temperature-controlled wine room on full display, banquettes and a cosy outdoor garden straight out of Home Beautiful – all hidden behind a non-descript yellow door and you have the recipe for a night out that could easily see you transported to Melbourne, New York or a multitude of European capitals.
Resident aficionado, Nicco, has put together an inspired selection of beverages from all corners of the globe with an emphasis on smaller, high-quality producers in wines, liqueurs and spirits with the cocktails setting new ground for quality.
Discover a cracking riesling by-the-glass from Gunderloch in Germany’s Rheinhessen region – think peach and stone fruits, pristine aromatics and clean acidity – this is a stunning post-work drink at 4pm. The Domaine Fazi Rosé from Corsica is another worth trying – bone dry, pink grapefruit and a taut saline edge.
In his spare time Nicco has a small-scale Champagne import operation and the Jean-Luc Gimonnet Blanc de blancs are worth investigating with citrus and green apple notes, yeasty autolysis aromas with a briny, nervy edge and caramel notes with a mouth-puckering finish.
Across to spirits and even the house pours are a step or three up from the everyday. Think Buffalo Trace as the house bourbon; Plantation Double Aged Rum from Barbados & Jamaica; Darling Gin from Melbourne; among others which form the base of their mixed drinks and cocktails. From there the spirit selection is inspired and decidedly boutique, with Willett Rye being the base for my late-night choice of an Old Fashioned.
When you add the culinary skills of Brett Tait pushing out a compact but flavoursome selection of dishes you have the perfect un-Noosa Noosa venue.
In the immortal words of Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, ‘Do yourself a favour’ and check out NNWW for yourself.
Grab a refreshing Gunderloch Riesling by-the-glass while you settle in and take in your surrounds – just don’t tell them I sent you!
Say no more.
