Hospitality is at the core of this beloved Aldinga wine bar – but a new food offering has people flocking, writes Jessica Galletly.
It’s the dish I ordered most frequently in 2025.
Dainty cubes of raw bluefin tuna glisten on the plate, tumbled with tartare friends caperberries, cornichons, shallots and pickled mustard seeds. The tuna, tender and beginning to cure in its dressing, is nestled alongside a cloud-like, aerated tonnato sauce. It’s relaxed, it’s fresh, it’s clever – and it’s delicious. It’s no wonder the dish has become a signature at Fall From Grace, the Aldinga wine bar-meets-European bistro led by hospitality duo Jimmy Toone (formerly The Salopian Inn) and partner Jo Leale.
The pair, who’d been running popular pop-ups Secret Pizza Club and Secret Pasta Club in recent years, took over the reins to the business in July. Originally run by Gill Gordon-Smith and, later, Margot Muir, the wine bar has long been a beacon for those “in the know” — now, it has the food to match.
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The 1850s property has been freshened up a little, with orders taken at the bar and share-style plates served across an intimate 25-seat dining room and sprawling courtyard. Its soul remains. This is a casual space, where people are just as welcome to drop in for a drink as they are to spend hours grazing with friends. As Jimmy says, “We’re on our guests’ time and go at their pace – not the other way around”.
For those feeling peckish, the tuna tartare is a must. Perhaps alongside some seared housemade sourdough, served with well-salted butter and a tin of Oritz anchovies. Oh, and the ever-changing plate of pickles — think sweet discs of soy pickled daikon, curry powder-spiked carrots and the teeny, sweet biquinho peppers. It’s soulful, seasonal eating best enjoyed with an aromatic white (the Inama soave is a current personal favourite, but Jo will happily guide you).
Other snacky plates might include fried cubes of feta in crisp kataifi pastry, sitting atop blobs of smokey red pepper aioli and finished with hot honey made with Jo’s mum’s garden chillis. Larger dishes will usually include a pasta, handmade by Jo. This time, it’s the curly campanelle in a lemony rendition of ‘alla nerano’, which heroes the humble zucchini. My palate wants a touch more salt to follow those feta cubes, but a generous grating of parmigiano reggiano helps to season things. You might also find sliced seared steak, sitting in an umami-rich puddle of black bean sauce, or red mullet with buttery braised leek.
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There’s no strict formula. The pair have cooked and travelled in various parts of the world, from France to Japan, which influences the menu at different times. An Asian-inspired crispy rice salad is delightful; the chewy grains moreish and packed with flavour thanks to a sweet-sticky-salty dressing and aromatic herbs. It’s usually accompanied with pork belly, Jimmy says, but today it’s chorizo — which, despite echoing a different part of the world, somehow works entirely.
Jimmy — and Jo’s — cooking strikes that balance between exciting and approachable; interesting and just plain “yum”. It’s food you want to eat — repeatedly. Take that tuna, which I first encountered when the pair was doing a residency at LOC Bottle Bar in the city earlier this year. Thankfully, it’s found its home here.
Secret Pizza Club fans can still get their fix on Friday nights, when it’s pizza only. Secret Pasta Clubs will also reemerge — keep an eye on their social page for dates — and book quickly. The duo also plans to host themed dinners, such as Japanese nights complete with sake.
Sweets aren’t a focus, though you’ll likely find a just-sweet-enough tiramisu-inspired financier (a French almond-based cake). Otherwise, a selection of fortifieds is there for the taking.
Locals have welcomed Fall From Grace 2.0 with open arms. Situated in Aldinga’s bustling Temperance precinct, with neighbours including Maxwell Grocery, Kick Back Brewing and the recently opened Under The Sun Wine just a stone’s throw away, it’ll no doubt cement itself as a Fleurieu favourite — along with that tuna tartare.
Chef: Jimmy Toone
Cuisine: European vibes
Drinks: Considered local and international wines
Cost: Plates $8-$30ish
Must try: Tuna tartare
Hot take: Tasty plates to graze with wine
Open: Monday 12pm-6pm, Thurs-Sun 12pm-9pm (‘til late Fri-Sat)
206 Port Road, Aldinga
fallfromgrace.com.au
