Wheelies is hidden away on Rock Bay Avenue and has managed to establish a unique pairing of motorcycle shop and restaurant with a slogan boasting, “Fine vintage custom motorcycles with gourmet sandwiches and ice cold beer.” They recently opened for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, but it was their cocktails, of course, that brought me to their door.
The addition of dinner comes in the form of two items added to the lunch menu and on this night chicken wings and a shepherd’s pie were on offer.
At an hour more appropriate to cocktails than dinner I visited this out of the way venue looking for libations and something shareable.
I am not exaggerating when I say Wheelies offers a limited menu, there are only four cocktails, a Bourbon Sour, Rumbler (spiced rum and Phillips Orange Cream Soda), a Chipotle Caesar and a more dessert style drink with Baileys.
Ordering the Sour and the Rumbler were good choices and reminded me of quality over quantity. The Sour was refreshing and the hint of maple played well against the lime. Both drinks came in jam jars so they were small and unfortunately, this worked against ordering the Rumbler as a double. There was not enough Phillips soda to balance out the spiced rum but I think a single would be a perfect mix of flavours.
Wheelies’ owners, continuing their unique pairing of retail and food, have recently collaborated on the Saint Frank venture that combines restaurant, bar, arcade and barbering. It’s akin to starting up mini malls – get more things done in one trip. How environmentally friendly!