Ascot Vale has welcomed a new wine bar accompanied by a delicious menu with some excellent grazing options.
If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy the summer weather with your mates on the weekend then The Fancy Parrot hits the spot. The decor is super fun and creates a quirky vibe where you can easily enjoy a beverage or three.
The craft beer & wine list is extensive and includes gluten free beers! Almost everything on the menu is locally sourced. There’s also a few excellent cocktails with a local twist. I personally loved the Polly Parton – a new twist on the classic Charlie Chaplin.
Alistair Smith is the founder of The Fancy Parrot. Alistair is not a first-time hospitality entrepreneur. Hudons’s Road Wine and Beer was his first foray into hospitality, a venture which he has since exited.
The Fancy Parrot opened in mid-2019. The name was inspired by his wife and daughter when they were drawing on a fence. His wife Michelle drew a parrot with a top hat and they realised it would make a great brand.
Alistair’s goal is to support local and show the quality of the small and independent suppliers that makes Melbourne so great. Supporting local small business is a passion of his.
For the month of January, $1 from every drink sold is going to the Victorian bushfire wildlife emergency fund.
New and exciting menu additions are on the way that will surely get us to go back include;
Something for everyone is the idea; accessible and affordable. $8 pints/wines & $7 spirits during happy hour. There are some great food options in the high teens to low $20’s range.
A few of the dishes we tried;
“Fancy” mixed mushrooms w/ fresh herbs & crispy pan-fried polenta (V, GF, DF) | 15
Hero dish of the menu – simple, and yet the perfect combination of flavours. Sauce (orange?) pairs with the garlic and salt beautifully. Polenta – although not my cup of tea it textures the plate and adds diversity to the palate.
House-made Arancini | 16
Presented in a way that would make Nona proud – deep friend so it’s golden brown and filled with all the comfort food necessities; rice, spinach, mushrooms and cheese. Chilli mayo gives it an exciting kick.
Tempura Tiger Prawns w/ wasabi mayo | 24
Again, what seems like a simple dish but is executed perfectly – the tempura is salted and peppered for flavour and crispy as you want. The wasabi mayo gives just enough of fusion without being heavy on the wasabi. A light and enjoyable snack that pairs fabulously with the drinks.
There are more sub $10 items coming onto the menu soon. A regularly updated cheese menu means we’ll be back soon to visit again.
Highly recommended.
*****
