Shadow Wine Bar

Walk off the gritty streets of Northbridge and into the clean industrial space of Shadow Wine Bar and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re somewhere else entirely.
The clean black and white design with walls filled with wine or softened with curtains it has a surprisingly intimate feel. That is only added to with extremely friendly staff, one who was holding a knife at the time which felt like walking in at home.
For lunch we opted for small plates between to as we were having a progressive eating day. They really are small; in some cases one piece is one bite. We saw some big plates go by that looked hearty in a fine dining sort of way.
While the prices would be high for some, each bite of food was packed with flavour and had me licking the plate. No really. The honey over the haluomi (which I’m told is made on site) was being mopped up by my finger.
I’d recommend that, the sticky pork and the crispy potatoes.
Wine is their thing and there’s a big selection. Staff were so friendly I felt really comfortable and smiley. The music was very cool too, which is something I don’t usually notice.

After looking inside Shadow Bar while walking past one day I was very keen to visit for dinner. At last a special occasion arrived, we booked, and we were in. Only a little bit excited!
Located within an old bank building the space is really something special: huge metal double doors lead you into a grand dining room with what must be the loftiest ceilings in Perth. This soaring space creates a very grand feeling, and coupled with the moody lighting, cool tunes and spacious booths it just oozes sexy sophistication. It feels old European but with the hot energy of New York.
The food boasts similar influences. The small plates are indeed very small — a bite only. This was disappointing because what we ordered was delicious: a rich braised pulled pork on a crisp and a delicate yellow fin tuna carpaccio with avocado. I just wanted those beautiful flavors to go on.
The plates were also relatively modest in size, but the flavours were huge. I could smell my crab spaghettini as it arrived and it was probably the best version I’ve ever had. Lots of crab, a good splash of tomato, capers and lemon with a sensible dash of chili. I could have eaten a portion twice the size. Similarly, the duck confit was all crispy skin and juicy flesh that melted in your mouth. The French rose our lovely waitress recommended was the perfect accompaniment. The menu changes regularly.
We thought the food was fantastic and the atmosphere stunning. It is expensive and the servings small but I would return in a heart beat.

One of our favourite openings of 2015!
Having heard so many good things about this place from reviews on Unilocal and other review sites, friends and family and others who actually worked here, Susan and I thought it was high time to see what all the fuss is about.
After finally finding the establishment, we were promptly led to our table. We wet our lips with a carafe of Maris Picpoul, a suggestion from our waiter that turned out to be a master stroke.
We started with a beef carpaccio dish whose flavours danced on our tongues. The sardine and tuna servings were simply put, mind blowing. For our mains we chose the Confit Duck and Spaghettini. All dishes were presented well, the duck melted in your mouth and the spaghettini had a fair portion of crab meat and the chilliness was on point.
For desert we chose a recommendation of a Pear Tarte Tatin which didn’t look amazing but really finishing off the dining experience well with great flavours. Definitely somewhere we recommend and will return in future.

Girls night out at the Shadow Bar went great. We ordered some small plates to share: mixed olives, halloumi with black sesame honey, buffalo mozzarella & tomato bruschetta and grilled chorizo. All the small plates were amazing and so fresh! The small plates came out in different times, which was great as we enjoyed having conversations with some nibbles in between. Once we ordered our mains, they came out so quick! The mains were also great and very tasty: pan fried gnocchi, veil schnitzel, crab spaghettini & clam/​mussel brodetto. Loved the atmosphere and the setting of the wine bar. We had table reservation for 7.30pm and end up leaving the table very close to 11pm. The staff were lovely and they didn’t rush us to clear the table. We also enjoyed Stoneflower Chardonnay from Margaret River. Shadow bar is perfect for date night or night out with friends. Highly recommended.

Like all good nights, a drink was the best way to start. We each happily downed a glass of the Pimms and ginger beer ($ 10.00) which was tangy, just slightly dry and a really great way to whet our whistles. It definitely set the scene as we relaxed in the low lights, bopped to the slightly random music (it jumps from country to hiphop to jazz after each passing track) and enjoyed the beautiful aesthetic.
From the cicchetti section of the menu came out the steak tartare on crostini ($ 6.00 each) and potato crisp topped with crab and lemon aioli ($ 7.00 each). I really love steak tartare so I was particularly excited to try this — the meat was fresh and melt in your mouth. I would have loved a little more punch from capers and zing, but it was an energising first bite.
What really broke the mould for us all was the crab crisp… A-​MAZ-​ING. There was something so right about the paper thin crisp that was salted and satisfyingly crunchy, topped with a generous mound of succulent crab and an aioli that has a really beautiful taste, it was fresh, zingy and almost felt a little reminiscent of Eastern flavours. I absolutely loved it and would be happy spending way too much money on way too many of these.
I did feel that the bites though tasty were a touch too expensive, but in the end, I think the flavours and quality produce justified the cost in my mind.
Our final starter was the pan fried haloumi with pink grapefruit, watercress and balsamic ($ 19.00). They make their own haloumi here (tick) which definitely appealed to the cheese addict within me. While not all of the group liked the use of watercress, it’s a green I’m quite partial to — and I thought the balance of the slight pepperiness of the leaves worked well with the acidic grapefruit and salty cheese.
It was another great dish and a good example of how a little restraint and simplicity can go a long way. The chefs here at Shadow Bar understand how to make the produce shine, which I think is sometime to be celebrated.
When the mains hit the table and we all shared around some bites, it was unanimous that dish of Shark Bay crab spaghettini with caper, lemon, tomato and chilli ($ 33.00) was the standout winner. Fine, al dente strands of pasta sat wound in a bowl with the lightest touch of spice. I though the crab shone in each bite with it’s delicate sweetness that was lifted by the saltiness of the capers.
The veal schnitzel with mustard and greens ($ 32.00) was a generous size and came out golden brown. When the pan-​fried gnocchi with zucchini, goats curd and asparagus ($ 28.00) hit the table I was surprised by how small the serving was. That being said, the gnocchi was spot on. A little crisp on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside. I love zucchini flowers so it was nice to see them used in a different capacity outside of fried with cheese inside.
My spiced pumpkin, black lentils, coriander and coconut yoghurt ($ 24.00) was a dish I really adored. I’m such a big fan of all things lentils, and I thought the combination of those al dente lentils (not even in the slightest bit mushy) with the soft, sweet pumpkin and the creaminess of the yoghurt was fantastic. There was some added textural elements in the form of pumpkin seeds and toasted coconut as well which added to the overall complexity. I think I need to try and recreate this at home, it was something pretty tasty!

Hard to fault Shadow Bar. It feels luxurious yet the fit out is fairly simple. Great service, top wine list, and decent menu choices. The food is quality and way above average, as such, the price point is too. Great for a date, groups, business. They have nailed the noise level, it’s perfect. Highly recommended

Really enjoyed my first visit to Shadow, on first appearance of the subdued but sophisticated look I wondered if I would be allowed in with my jeans, flannel and sneakers — but luckily the mood itself was very relaxed we were even shown to a booth since we got there early! Speaking of relaxed at one point I noticed one of the waitress singing along to the shaft theme — instant bonus points in my book :)
Since I had a cold the white wines were lost on me I never truly got the flavour, I had much better luck on the reds I found a bold one and an organic which I know from experiences usually pack more punch; all in all some interesting things to try; plus they still have a full bar of wine and spirits if you’d rather.
On the food side we stuck to three or four small plates and a main each; I enjoyed everything enough to plan to get back in the near future.

Walking in I was surprised by the ambiance of this place. While big, they have made it feel intimate. Sitting down for dinner, I looked over the menu and there were so many things I wanted.
In the end I settled for
oysters bloody mary (Note: This is not a shooter but was very nice)
cheese puff with honey — OMG a must try
Pototo crisp with crab — nice mix of crispy chip with soft crab
Veal Schnitzel — Wow 3 schnitzels on the plate — I am in heaven. The crumb was delicious.
Asparagus as a side — charred in sections yet soft and yummy.
I love that when you order by the glass, they bring it to the table and give you an opportunity to taste first.
The dessert menu looked good but I was too full.
Interestingly enough they were playing music from various Quentin Tarantino fillms which we turned into a game of name that film! Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction and Reservior Dogs were all there.
Great venue with great food & wine. Will be back.

LOVE!
Was happy to have been called in to work on a Saturday that made me miss my scheduled appointment and end up, later on, at Shadow instead. Two of us experienced our very first visit and we will be heading back, for sure. Terrific, almost seamless service, despite it coming from at least five of the different staff on that evening. The young Irish girl was a riot and just so likeable. The Spanish fellow was drop dead gorgeous but he also knew his stuff — that is never a bad thing. We shared a couple of plates (gnocchi, veal carpaccio and a portion of Manchego cheese) and they were all good, with the veal being the stand out. Gnocchi flavours just didn’t merge as well as hoped. Loss of one star for that and the relatively small selection of wines by the glass available (although that small selection is really varied). Super sexy fit out, dim enough lights to flatter and lovely clean bathrooms. It does get noisy as the place fills. Be advised.

Very cool vibe and amazing food! Service was very friendly and knowledgable, and the handmade pasta is delicious. Will be back again!

Very cool place. Although it’s a bit stealth, the front is large and dark but strangely somehow camouflaged. You enter at the front through gorgeous giant beaten steel doors that could feel like you’re crossing the threshold of some game of thrones scene. But once you get inside and your eyes adjust to the low lighting you get a snap impression it’s a bit fancy and modern… You will want to wear your nice threads here or you risk feeling a little poor and grubby.
The Wine list is outstanding and somewhat expensive. Best thing though is that there is a 375ml option! Like you find everywhere in Europe but very rarely in the Southern Hemisphere. Awesome.

Had an amazing night for my wife’s 40^th! Their service was sensational, very attentive. The venue is exceptional, I love it and certainly will be back again!
The desert menu, serious wow factor, loved it!
And my two Negroni’s were a great way to ease me into the evening.
OK, that said, only been open three weeks and the team there are still working on the mains. The sizes need to be a little bigger for the price. This is a serious «make or break» for any Perth restaurant. Increase the size of the meals and you’ll get more bums on seats without a doubt.
The two side dishes were also a little small and a little too much on the dressing, very salty and needs some work but I’m really confident that by the time of our next visit this will all be sorted out.
We had a chat to the staff and manager and their response was awesome, you guys have won me over without a doubt!
Can’t wait to come back again soon!

White tablecloths, stark industrial fit out, great food and great service. We went straight to mains as we’d had a snack and glass of wine a bit earlier. They didn’t disappoint. The seafood with calasparra rice was perfectly cooked and felt like Spain on a plate. The creamed mushroom tagilatelle was good and the steak perfectly charred. Everything was delicious but serving sizes are «fine dining» (you need to order am entrees or dessert for a full meal).
Washed it all down with a bottle of Cote de Provence rosé, delightful. I would return, it’s pricey but everything was beautifully presented, service was good (a few teething problems but nothing unforgivable) and our meals were delicious.