DEBBIE and Mark Davis were visiting the Border to celebrate a one-year-old's birthday and went home with a wine bar.
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Having inspected the premises of the former Border Wine Room and Adore On Dean, the couple were smitten with the space.
With a background in hospitality and the wholesale wine trade between them, it was the perfect fit for their Level One Wine Bar.
"The concept was to make a place for food and wine lovers to enjoy," Mark said.
Having established Australian Wine Agencies in 2001, Mark said they represented 20 wineries Australia-wide - including Cofield Wines - and imported wines too.
Head chef Les Austen said his modern Australian cuisine would reflect seasonal produce.
He said he planned to change the menu about every eight weeks.
"The advantage I've got is that I can create a dish and Mark will have a wine to match it," he said.
A chef for 18 years, Austen got his start on Lindeman Island.
For the past three years he has joined the team that brings together the Good Food and Wine Show.
In Albury Emmanuel Hutton is the sous chef.
Level One Wine Bar will host wine dinners and cooking classes in the near future.
It already offers wine tastings on Friday afternoons.
MEET MORE HOMEGROWN CHEFS:
What is your favourite dish?
Scotch fillet medium-rare with a good jus.
What is your favourite season?
Winter.
What are the staples in your pantry?
Krio Krush brand of spices.
What is your earliest cooking memory?
My mum could burn Weet-bix, so I was motivated to learn to cook!
Which ingredients do you grow yourself?
We've got a great veggie garden at home in Shepparton.
Name six people you'd invite to a dinner party.
Connie Austen, Paul Bocuse, Marco Pierre White, Darren Locke, Shane Warne and Debbie Davis.
What is a favourite foodie ritual?
Making dinner with my kids, 13, 7, 5 and 3. Last Wednesday we made ravioli.
What are you bingeing on TV? If anything.
Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Ravioli
What are you drinking at the moment?
Roaring 40s Pinot Noir from Tasmania.
Details:
Level One Wine Bar,
492 Dean Street, Albury
Phone: 0412 826 906
Open Thursday to Sunday, 12pm until late.
