Harden's says
The second outpost of a wine-focused bar and restaurant opens in an old journo drinking den off Fleet Street. Set in the vaults of St Bride’s Church the wine bar and shop will boast a 200-seater bar, private dining room and a menu of wine-friendly small plates. The original opened in Battersea in last year.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“An amazing choice of wines” is served by “lovely staff, who are passionate and knowledgeable about the list” at these “proper wine bars”, whose liquid offering is “complemented by a very good food menu” of “well-made” dishes (small plates, plus cheese and charcuterie). The Battersea original is still the branch attracting most feedback, although the chain is spreading eastwards, and its operation in the crypt of St Bride’s Church and newer Liverpool Street branch are “very competent”: next stop is an opening in Canary Wharf.
Summary
“An amazing choice of wines” is served by “lovely staff, who are passionate and knowledgeable about the list” at these “proper wine bars”, whose liquid offering is “complemented by a very good food menu” of “well-made” dishes (small plates, plus cheese and charcuterie). The Battersea original is still the branch attracting most feedback, although the chain is spreading eastwards, and its operation in the crypt of St Bride’s Church and newer Liverpool Street branch are “very competent”: next stop is an opening in Canary Wharf.
Summary
“Unpretentious, relaxed and with a wide choice of wines and small plates” – with the latter “nicely judged to complement wines” – plus “enthusiastic and knowledgeable service” win particular praise for the Battersea original of this small group, and also its EC4 spin-off “hidden away and almost under the crypt of St Bride’s Church”. Last year, a further outlet also opened in Islington (no reports yet), and in 2018 a new City branch opened near Liverpool Street. Top Tip: “Monday nights is the time to go as wine is sold at retail price”.
Summary
A “great selection of interesting small-batch wines” is served by the glass, bottle or case at this popular yearling – an offshoot of a Battersea wine bar in the lovely crypt of St Bride’s, Fleet Street (with a new Islington branch, which opened in summer 2017). “The simple food and platters complement the vino nicely”. Top Tip – “go on a Monday, and you can drink at retail prices”.
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Restaurant details
Opening hours
Mon: 4.30pm - 11pm, Tue-Thu: 12pm - 11pm, Fri-Sat: 11am - midnight, Sun: 12pm - 10pm
Last orders: 11 pm, Thu-Sat midnight
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