Between its flame-powered fine diners, plant-based cafes, authentic ramen joints and American-inspired burger slingers, there’s plenty to eat on Racecourse Road. And while you’d be more than welcome to linger a while at any of these places, only a few could be classified as a true-blue local – the kind of place where the community descends with regularity to socialise, as much as sip. This hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, Ascot local Kelly Hynes has taken it upon herself to give the neighbourhood the charming haunt it’s needed for a long time.

Kelly opened Vlume – a tapas and wine bar nestled in a converted Queenslander at the leafy northern end of Racecourse Road – in late December, removing traces of the venue’s previous life as a Thai restaurant and implementing a homely vibe. “We just wanted that really good community place, where you could walk down and have a glass of wine on a whim,” explains Kelly. “It’s meant to feel like our house, with a lounge and a veranda. We just really loved the building because it was an old Queenslander, it wasn’t like a commercial space. It’s meant to be very welcoming and comfortable.”

Vlume’s defining feature is its alfresco dining space out front – a sun-dappled deck area that’s perfect for afternoon aperitivos and evening eats. Inside is just as nice, though, with a cushioned banquette, a strip of high-tops and large circular tables (perfect for bigger groups of up to eight) offering more elbow room for feasting.

peaking of which, Vlume’s tapas-style menu is geared towards share-style dining.”The menu is a little Mediterranean influenced,” explains Kelly, who is working with Suncoast Fresh to source a large portion of Vlume’s produce. “It’s very seasonal, so we change it weekly but there are a few favourites on there.” In the kitchen, head chef Daniel Mcdonagh is whipping up a fluid array of eats, ranging from small nibbles to substantial plates. The offering is neatly split between cold dishes (think Huon Valley salmon pastrami with cultured cream, tuna tacos with shoyu ponzo and burrata with peaches, hazelnut oil and prosciutto) and hot plates (bug rolls with slipper lobster and bloody Mary aioli, Angus brisket burnt ends doused in chipotle barbecue sauce and Magra lamb cutlets with carrot muhammara and chimichurri). From the oven, Dan is also firing up a four-strong range of tarte flambee  – Flemish-style pizzas made on yeast-free flatbreads that are easily divvied up by a crew.

The Mediterranean theme extends to Vlume’s wine list, which features a tight-yet-balanced mix of European styles, from Spanish albarino and Italian chianti to French champagne – plus some high-roller drops from Penfolds (“If you want to come and drink it, I’ll get it on,” says Kelly) A golden ale from Fick Brewing and Aether Brewing’s IPA can be found on tap, while a cocktail list leans more towards classics.

Vlume is now open to the public. Head to the Stumble Guide for more info.