Bar Blondie is a wine bar and restaurant on Queen's Park's Lonsdale Road, taking inspiration from Southern European food and wine culture, and founded by Milk Beach founder Eliot Milne and sommelier Alex Price.
Are you a real Milk Beach fan? This aesthetically-pleasing Aussie brunch spot is mostly known for its large Soho site but those who have been following the independent eatery’s journey from the beginning will know that it started life in a gorgeous Queen’s Park site, hidden amongst period properties, down a sweet mews.
Now, owner Elliot Milne has decided to shake things up, renovating the space and collaborating with award-winning sommelier Alexandra Price, previously of Crispin and Plates, to create a new concept inspired by Southern European dining with small plates, fresh pasta and, of course, a fantastic wine list. Bar Blondie will look to the produce, recipes and wines of Italy and France, serving up sharing plates with an ingredient-first attitude. Alexandra Price has been working hard on a 160 bin list, which as well as Southern European wine makers will also showcase some of her favourite from around the world, especially those that promote “careful farming practices, expression of terroir and a respect for the land” - as Alexandra has said herself.
It’s not just all about the food and drinks - though, that is a good place to start - Bar Blondie will also be putting on a packed calendar of events from poetry readings to chess nights. Of course, the space needs a cool, new look to go with all these changes and Elliot Milne has enlisted the help of Permit Room’s Macaulay Sinclair to design the space, inspired by mid-century design classics, a muted colour palette and a sense of Americana and the Wild West. Sharing inspiration images and first looks on their Instagram, the space seems to be inspired by old Clint Eastwood films, English ecclectism and plenty of wooden wall panelling. It’s bound to be the kind of place you’ll want to get a snap or two.