Macleay St Bistro: A Potts Point Institution Worth Knowing

Macleay St Bistro has been a go-to in the Potts Point neighbourhood for years.

Trent and Jason have been fans for some time, so they finally took us wives along to see what it was all about. At the time, we weren't thinking about turning the experience into a TWU editorial. We were simply there for dinner, wine and good company. Looking back, it was an evening worth sharing.

The food was generous, the atmosphere was relaxed and the wine made the evening even better. There was also one detail we particularly loved. BYO Nights. Macleay St Bistro is BYO Monday to Saturday for $14 per bottle. On Sundays, BYO is free and yes, that includes Saturday evenings.

For wine lovers, that's a pretty good reason to know this Potts Point institution.

Good Food, Great Wine and a Table Full of Conversation

We started the evening with a selection of dishes to share. The beef tartare was rich and savoury, while the pâté brought plenty of classic comfort to the table. Alongside it was my favourite German Riesling, the 2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese. It was a beautiful match for the food.

I have a small stash of Joh. Jos. Prüm German Riesling tucked away in the cellar. It's something I love sharing with people, especially those who haven't discovered just how good German Riesling can be.

This bottle was a great example of why I keep going back to it. The wine had developed beautifully, while still retaining its freshness and energy. It had sweetness, acidity and plenty of complexity without feeling heavy. Paired with the tartare and pâté, it was a fantastic match.

This is exactly why I love BYO restaurants. You can bring something from your own cellar and make it part of the experience. At Macleay St Bistro, the Joh. Jos. Prüm wasn't simply another bottle on the table.

Moving Into the Mains, and the Gaja Stole the Show

As we moved into the mains, we reached for another bottle from our cellar. This time, it was a 2009 Gaja Barbaresco. The wine was showing beautifully, with ripe red fruit, spice and savoury notes coming through. There was also a lovely earthiness developing in the glass, alongside fine, structured tannins.

It paired so well with the beef, those savoury characters really came to life. The richness of the meat softened the tannins, while the wine's acidity kept everything fresh.

The baked dish brought even more richness to the table. It was a great match for the wine's structure and depth. As the evening continued, the Gaja kept opening up in the glass. Honestly, the Gaja stole the show.

This is what wine is all about, sharing good bottles of wine. You appreciate a wine differently when you're enjoying it with good food and good company. You talk about it, compare notes, pour another glass and watch how everyone responds.

Plan Your Visit

Macleay St Bistro
📍71A Macleay Street in Potts Point, Sydney

Our highlights

  • Macleay St Bistro Organic Grass Fed Eye Fillet Steak Tartare w Mini Baguette
  • Chicken Liver Parfait w Confiture de Figues & Red Onion Confit
  • Twice Baked French Onion Soufflé w Truffle Butter & Petit Baguette
  • Organic Grass Fed Chateaubriand w Béarnaise Sauce, Chunky Potatoes & Green Beans for Two

Wine

  • 2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese
  • 2009 Gaja Barbaresco

🍷 The Wined Up Tip

Bring your own bottle! BYO is $14 per bottle Monday to Saturday, including Saturday evening. Sunday BYO is free. If you've got something special tucked away in the cellar, this is a great excuse to open it with friends over dinner.

Marisa
Marisa
Articles: 24