Tipped

A life-changing experience

October 29, 2008

The first time I came in was to get a nice bottle of wine as a Birthday prezzie for a friend of mine who is quite up on her wines, unlike me. It was a Saturday lunchtime, fairly busy, but it wasn't long before we were getting some really high-quality personal attention, the atmosphere and decor managing to make the place seem like one of those visitors' shops you get when you visit a vineyard. The walls are lined with racks of wine, and strategically placed around the room on wooden casks or some such, are the special offers or featured wines, all selected from smaller vineyards around the world, many of which you won’t have heard of before, and all very well labelled up with such excellent descriptions that you get a really good idea of what the wine is like. The prices range from scary to affordable but the staff are so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful with their suggestions, totally de-mystifying the whole process. It turned a task I began with trepidation into a very enjoyable experience. In the next room there was a small seated area where we were invited to sample the ones that had made our short-list. This has since been developed into a cafe-style area where you can sample some of the more unusual varieties that they offer by the glass at very reasonable prices (£2.50-£5.50 a glass) accompanied by some delicious nibbles like cheeses from Neal’s Yard, Spanish meat platters, vegetarian mezze and other carefully selected organic treats that beautifully compliment the wines at about a fiver a go. We left with a few more bottles than we'd originally intended, but so much the richer for the experience that I've never regretted it for a second, and it's become one of my favourite places to start an evening or bring friends who are new to the area and just chill. It's that this is essentially a wine shop - not a restaurant - and the emphasis is on wine, the knowledge and enjoyment thereof and everything else is there to enhance that noble aim.

Tags: wine, snacks, organic

Wines Galore...

September 24, 2007

I love this little wine shop/deli/restaurant.
At the front is a large wine shop, showcasing a selection of unusual offbeat wines from all corners of the world. No Gallos or Penfolds here. The deli sells a variety of mezze, breads and cakes to take away, or you can mooch next door and grab one of the well worn wooden tables and get stuck in. You can choose any of the wines from the shop next door and for a small corkage fee drink it in the restaurant next door. The food doesn’t extend beyond simple quiches, mezze or cheese platters – but really the focus here is the wine, and a bit of food to go with it. During the day they serve great coffee and cakes and at night, the room is lit by candles and becomes more atmospheric. Staff are very friendly and service is relaxed. Green & Blues also offer a selection of wine tasting courses throughout the year.
A great local night out if you love your wine.

Tags: wine, deli, brasserie