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Where to Wine and Dine in London

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in Food, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Amira Hashish

If when it comes to eating out the wine list is of equal importance as the menu then this roundup is for you as we wanted to shine a light on the restaurants that prioritise their drinks lists just as much as their food offerings (maybe even more). From the lauded Noble Rot in Bloomsbury to Peckham Cellars and Sager + Wilde’s grown-up era, here are some of our favourite wine-first eateries in London…

Noble Rot

In its own words, this is a “shrine to the vine” with three award-winning restaurants in Bloomsbury, Soho and Mayfair. Our favourite is still the original restaurant in a townhouse on Lamb’s Conduit Street dating back to 1701. Formerly a bootmaker, a surgery and an electrical shop, it was first converted into a wine bar by a descendent of Admiral Nelson in 1974. These days Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew, the duo behind importers Keeling Andrew & Co and Shrine to the Vine wine shop, are at the helm. They continue to put wine at the forefront of their offering but the food packs a punch too. Believe it or not, Noble Rot started its journey as a magazine and continues to publish issues to this day.

Book: noblerot.co.uk

Hide

Spread over three floors, with a statement staircase (you’ll see why it deserves a shout out when you visit) and views over Green Park, Hide is a polished and considered Michelin restaurant from the team behind Hedonism Wines. Acclaimed chef Ollie Dabbous and bar guru Oskar Kinberg joined forces with Hedonism’s founder Evgeny Chichvarkin to create a day to night space that works with small farmers and suppliers from across the UK. A tasting menu with matching wine flights is also available on both floors and it is a sumptuous experience.

Book: hide.co.uk

Peckham Cellars 

Founded in 2019 by three friends and long-time South East London residents – Luke, Ben and Helen – Peckham Cellars is a wine bar and bistro experience that feels local but elevated. An eclectic and expansive collection of wines can be purchased to be enjoyed at home or drunk alongside a seasonally inspired menu of small plates. The core of the list is from France and Spain with a head chef from foodie haven San Sebastian. Each month Pablo Urain Alfonso develops a fresh, seasonal menu from the best of British and European produce to complement the tipples.

Book: peckhamcellars.co.uk 

Authentique – Epicerie & Bar  

An 800+ wine list is never to be sniffed at and the team behind Authentique – Epicerie & Bar have passionately sourced every bottle on it. The brainchild of four French guys who grew up with a penchant for artisan food and drinks, their Tufnell Park space shares their enthusiasm for Francophone Gastronomy with a love of great wine. The menu is rotated every six weeks and many of the winemakers pop up in store for special events.

Book: authentique-epicerie.com

Sager + Wilde

Its dark, moody, cosy bar on Hackney Road cemented Sager + Wilde as a go-to haunt for excellent wines and a cheese toastie. However, the Paradise Row outpost takes it into more of a grown-up realm with a bonafide restaurant to boot. The wine still plays a key role in proceedings and we are pleased to report the signature naturally lit vibes are in full swing. Love your work guys.

Book: sagerandwilde.com

Bar Douro 

Tucked underneath a railway arch in Flat Iron Square or in a blue and white clad restaurant on Finsbury Avenue Square, Bar Douro gives authentic Portuguese food and wine a home in London. The azulejo tiles which adorn the dining rooms transport us to the coast and the largest selection of Portuguese wines in the UK are a divine accompaniment to the sharing plates.

Book: bardouro.co.uk

Weino Bib 

The UK’s only natural wine shop focusing on sustainable packaging, all of Weino Bib’s wines are farmed sustainably and made by people with minimal intervention. So when you are perched on the bar tucking into delicious dishes, you know you are making a conscious environmental effort too. The blackboard at the Dalston taproom displays some of the latest bottles and you can ask any of the knowledgeable team for advice on what to pair with your meal.

Book: weinobib.co.uk

Renegade 

Renegade is a London based urban winery that breaks all the rules. Making around 12-14 wines a year, from classical styles with a twist to wines that are entirely unique, they produce around 40-60,000 bottles annually. Their Walthamstow wine bar also turns into a restaurant Wednesday to Saturday with Sunday now open for roasts.

Book: renegadelondonwine.com

The Remedy

Mediterranean inspired small plates are paired with an ever-changing wine list in this cosy Fitzrovia gem. Italy, France and Spain take centre stage on a monthly rotation in a convivial atmosphere. The wine list is the result of endless research for new and exciting wines from all over the world with a focus on small producers with a low intervention approach alongside those with a more traditional touch. Enjoy tasting by the glass with more than 200 references or splash out on the cellar list for old vintages and rare wines. 

Book: theremedylondon.com

The 10 Cases 

Covent Garden’s Bistrot à Vin serves a frequently changing menu of modern Franco-European food and a wide selection of wines, by the glass and bottle. The clue is in the name with only 10 cases of any wine being ordered to keep things fresh and interesting. A casual option comes in the form of Cave à Vin, reserved for walk-ins, with wine, cheese and charcuterie on tap. You can order from the bistrot menu too.

Book: 10cases.co.uk

Primeur

This very local secret in Islington found its home in a former car garage and feels all the more enticing for its unexpected setting. The blackboard menu changes every day and is updated on its Instagram page. Low-intervention wines, all of which come by the glass, carafe or bottle, are paired with the dishes to make for a laid-back but well-curated experience.

Book: primeurn5.co.uk

Vinoteca 

Vinoteca has become such a staple amongst London’s wine and dine scene that there are now several branches around the capital from Chiswick to Borough. Small producers are always championed on the wine list and the menu is modern British with a European twist. Whether you are in the mood for a snack or a full-blown dinner Vinoteca has you covered.

Book: vinoteca.co.uk

Wine Rooms 

With ‘Rooms’ in Kensington and Hammersmith’s Brackenbury, these sociable environments recognise that great wine is worthy of great food. You can sample a selection with a pre-paid card or order by the bottle. British cheeses or Spanish meats are on offer for nibbles or indulge in the main menu to make more of an evening of it. 

Book: winerooms.london

Vagabond 

What started as a little shop in Fulham in 2010 branched into an Urban Winery at Battersea Power Station, nine wine bars in London and two outside, each with more than 100 wines by the glass. As the wine offerings grew so did the food options and Vagabond now serves up food menus across its branches.

Book: vagabondwines.co.uk

Auckland’s Most Delicious Restaurants

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in Food, Latest, Lifestyle, Travel.

By Amira Hashish

As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland has garnered a reputation for delicious food that champions the country’s fresh produce. From a Lebanese tasting menu to yummy yakitori and European inspired dishes, the multi-cultural cuisine is a feast in every sense. Here we choose some of our favourite spots for unearthing the best of Auckland’s restaurant scene…

Ada 

Under the arches of a nunnery turned hotel (aptly named The Convent), Ada is the kind of buzzy, light-filled restaurant you dream of when planning a long, leisurely lunch. Beautifully designed to make the most of the high ceilings and architectural details, this is a hearty slice of Spanish-Mission in Auckland’s quiet Grey Lynn neighbourhood. The focus is on Italian food with pasta hand-rolled on the dining tables during service. For a taste of some of the most delicious offerings book in for Sunday lunch. Kick off proceedings with a glass of Prosecco before enjoying a five-course shared feast. If you fancy making a night of it, check into one of the thoughtfully styled boutique rooms in what could easily scoop the title of chicest small hotel in Auckland.

Book: adarestaurant.co.nz, theconventhotel.co.nz

Gemmayze Street

In the centre of Auckland’s hip K’ Road lies the Twenties built St Kevin’s Arcade. The original Art Deco facades are now home to shops, restaurants and bars which make for a thriving gathering spot in the evenings. The must-visit is Gemmayze Street, the Lebanese-inspired restaurant owned and operated by chef Samir Allen whose family have lived in New Zealand for over 130 years. Despite living across the other side of the world they have kept their Middle Eastern culture alive through this vibrant eatery with the most delectable menu of food, wine and cocktails. We would recommend sampling a bit of everything with the $90 per person Jeeb (Arabic for “to bring”) menu. From the signature hummus to the falafel and Arnabeet roasted cauliflower, you will not go home hungry. 

Book: gemmayzestreet.co.nz 

kingi

In the mood for seafood? Make a beeline for kingi which celebrates sustainably caught seafood fresh from New Zealand’s oceans, dunes, river mouths and reefs. On the ground floor of the heritage Masonic House, underneath the strikingly designed Hotel Britomart, the restaurant is open all day but we would recommend dinner for wood fired dishes and a well curated wine menu. The most popular dish comes in the form of Buttermilk Blue Cod Wings, with blue cod caught by a third-generation family of fishers in the Chatham Island. 

Book: kingibritomart.com

Amano 

Part of a collection of acclaimed restaurants under New Zealand’s Savor group, Amano is a big, bustling and warmly designed ode to Italian cuisine. Produce is seasonal, sustainable and local from the country’s growers and farmers. Opposite Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and spanning Britomart’s historic Altrans and Quay buildings, the bakery and restaurant is a staple for anyone seeking wholesome food and a great vibe. Be sure to book in advance as tables get snapped up quickly.

Book: savor.co.nz/amano 

Daphnes 

We have a soft spot for the Ponsonby district when it comes to dining, drinking or shopping. Awash with independently owned spots, it is a fabulous place to meander the day away. Despite being spoiled for choice with great restaurants in the area, we were especially taken by Daphnes. Run by husband and wife team Clare and Joost van den Berg, this place was inspired by their travels to Greece and Europe in 2018. The modern taverna captures the Mediterranean spirit with an impressive interior designed by Clare. Dim lighting and dark rich tones of wooden furniture alongside rich burgundy and navy upholstery make for quite the setting. The small but perfectly formed menu lives up to the surroundings with highlights including sourdough flatbreads, brussel sprouts and Agria potatoes. 

Book: daphnes.co.nz 

Barulho

What started as a humble tapas bar has evolved into a solid Spanish restaurant in the Parnell area. Signature dishes such as paella, empanadas and patatas bravas are accompanied by some more experimental options. The cocktail list is strong too with the Caipirinha proving to be a hit. It is also worth popping into the neighbouring Faradays concept store for a truly luxurious fashion and interiors experience. 

Book: barulhoparnell.com

Omni

Centering on yakitori cooked over binchotan (low-smoke white charcoal), Omni is a small and considered offering in Mount Eden. For the best value, we recommend the “feed me” option, which is priced at $65 and lets you try over half the menu. Just make sure the crunchy prawn toast wings its way to you. Low-intervention wines from small scale producers make excellent pairings.

Book: atomni.co.nz

Exciting UK Restaurant Openings

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Events, Food, Latest.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

The thrill of revisiting old haunts for ‘the usual’ or discovering new places to wine and dine is still tangible after months of seemingly unending captivity. For me, it’s the snippets of conversations collected like appetisers as you weave through busy tables, the fragrance from the kitchen as a waiter guides you towards your table. It’s the sumptuous seats and the low, romantic lighting, the anticipation of each course and the decadence of physical (and cerebral) fullness.

In celebration of the simple pleasure of dining anywhere other than your own dining table, here is a round-up of some of the most exciting new restaurants on the UK’s booming scene. 

Panton Yokocho

New from the Japan Centre Group is the second in its Yokocho chain, located on Panton Street, a bustling nook in London’s West End. Its name translates to the English ‘alleyway’ and references Japan’s famously narrow streets furnished with lively izakayas. Yokocho serves traditional Japanese regional ramen cuisine, which originates from Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s islands, to Kyushu in the south.

www.ramenyokocho.com

Mallow

Vegetarian pillar of the vegetarian and vegan restauranteur community, Mildreds, has just opened Mallow, a brand new outpost marking its 25 year anniversary. Installed at the iconic foodie scene, Borough Market, a spokesperson has told visitors to expect an “extension of the market” with a mix of small and large plates of global inspiration, from cauliflower chaat to banana blossom tacos and truffle croquettes.

www.mallowlondon.com

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

This year, Syrian Chef and restauranteur, Imad Alarban opened the doors to his eponymous Kingly Court restaurant to share the tastes and fragrances of Damascus. His journey to success on the London scene begins with his three restaurants, several juice bars and cafes in his home country’s capital which were destroyed within six days in the war. As he travelled across Europe in 2015, he cooked for groups of up to 400 refugees at a time. Arriving in Europe, his charity events have raised thousands for the Choose Love charity in aid of refugees, and the new restaurant will follow suit with donations of £1 from every bill.

www.imadssyriankitchen.co.uk

Eleanore

Moving away from the churn of Carnaby and the restlessness of Soho, Edinburgh’s restaurant scene is positively blossoming. Roberta Hall-McCarron, the owner and chef at The Little Chartroom, a restaurant inspired by Hall-McCarron’s childhood, is set to open the doors to its latest outpost, Eleanore, a restaurant and wine bar for an informal, counter-culture approach to excellent Scottish cuisine.

www.eleanore.uk

Sessions Arts Club

Sessions Arts Club is a hub for lovers of the arts and great food in a beautiful setting in Clerkenwell. The setting is Old Sessions House, fully restored with its Grade II listing intact. The venue’s concept is grounded in the use of the space as a studio, acting as a restaurant under Florence Knight, a bar and a performance space.

www.sessionsartsclub.com

Burnt Orange Brighton

A stone’s throw from the entrancing passages of The Lanes, Razak Helalat’s latest venture, Burnt Orange, is the place to wrap up your day trip to the UK’s most popular coastal town. Helalat is the restauranteur behind The Salt Room and The Coal Shed, two hugely popular settings for refined and formal dining experiences. With Burnt Orange, guests can enjoy Helalat’s more casual approach as he mixes the artful food for which he has become known with DJ sets from Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim.

www.burnt-orange.co.uk