Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill by the Good Gilbert team is now open
Expect an American grill with an Australian wine bar twist at the latest venue by the Good Gilbert team.
Wilson Shawyer, co-owner of Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill, says it’s been a “monumental” year.
At the start of this month, he and his fellow co-owners – which includes Isabelle Shawyer, Stephen Tzanakis, and Ashley Peek – opened Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill. Most of this team opened Good Burger in January and Asha in August.
“It’s been a lot,” Wilson says as he reminisces on 2024.
“I think the next 12 months are going to be the biggest tell-tale… I think maintaining what GG’s [Good Gilbert] is, what Good Burger is and what Asha is, and what this will become will be our main priority for the next 12 months.
“It’s just honing in on the venues and just making sure that they are still everything we want them to be.”
Stephen says Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill on Henley Beach Road in Torrensville has “ticked all the boxes for us”.
“Physically, it’s a beautiful space. Menu wise, drinks wise, it’s reflective of everything we stand for as a brand,” he says.
You might like
“It’s just exciting to now see people come and enjoy it. It’s super casual, super accessible, but everything about it is just polished.”
Stephen says there’s been an “obvious outcry for something like this in this area” that includes a decent food offering and fun vibe.
A Gilbert’s spread
The menu follows an American grill theme, with a range of snacks, share plates and burgers.
“So there’s a big difference between American barbecue and American grill. We’re going that New York-style steakhouse, but with an Australian wine bar twist,” Stephen says.
“My standouts are something like your Gilbert’s focaccia with pickle dip so people can just chip away… lasagna sticks was an omen to the old lasagna sticks on the Good Gilbert menu that became somewhat infamous.
“We’ve got some big share dishes or you can pick your cut of meat, pick how you want it cooked, pick what sauce you want it with and away you go.”
Stephen says there’s “lots of variety”, as the team has also decided to include six of the best Good Burger burgers.
Subscribe for updates
“Everything that’s walked out of that kitchen has just been next level,” he says.
When asked about the finalised wine list Wilson replies: “there’s no such thing as a finalised wine list”.
“There’s an existing wine list that will modify and evolve,” he says.
“There are about 120 wines in total at the moment.
“We’ve got a good amount of European wines, and I think we’ve picked good expressions from that. Australian wines will always be [on the list]… we started big with that, because it had to be something people can relate to and are comfortable with, and a name brand that they know.”
Inside Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill
All the Good Gilbert venues have a design theme and Gilbert’s Wine Bar & Grill also features artwork sourced by the team.
“I guess because I had worked here and was familiar with the space, you have a bit of an idea of what the flow of it would look like,” Stephen says about the space that used to be a Burgertec – a burger franchise he owns.
“What I found from night one when we had our soft launch – we probably had about 50 per cent capacity – and there was a real nice ambience in the space, and it felt full.
“So as soon as you got two or three tables in here, you’ve got an atmosphere that begins to build and then what I found at night time when every table was full, it didn’t feel like a crowded, packed restaurant.
“You’ve always got enough space, but at the same time, you never feel isolated and alone which I think really cool and is a testament to the space.
“I think this space is just a reflection of where we’re at and how far we’ve come. GG’s is an incredible venue but it’s been done in stages to get to that point. Whereas this is the first one of this scale that we have opened up, and just from day one, it’s just been where we needed it to be.”
Gilbert’s Wine & Grill is located at 172 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville and is open from Monday to Sunday from 12pm until late.
Connect with the business on Instagram for more.