Social Wine & Tapas

There are many many opinion pieces on whether the whole no reservations scene works in London and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer. It works both ways and can be a bit like the two second rule in a car park, sometimes it's totally in your favour and other times you're left seething in anger.

But it seemed the former a couple of weeks ago when Jason Atherton's newest London opening Social Wine & Tapas opened up its books and we snapped up a late Saturday lunch. Bar, restaurant and wine shop all in one, there's a pretty laidback feel here which was great for a mother-daughter catch up and perfect for sharing. We sat on one of the corner tables in the upstairs Tapas Bar; there's more seating downstairs but it was pretty quiet, and also nine stools at the open kitchen to pique your curiosity. All dark woods, gold features (including walls) and green tiles, this is a far cry from the bright and airy Pollen Street Social.

There are over 100 wines to choose from, and several by the 125ml glass thanks to the Coravin wine system. We opted for a bottle of the Costiere de Nimes but if you were feeling particularly flash, there's a Jeroboam of Chateau Latour for a snip at £6,500. 

Food kicked off with the szechuan fried chiperones - tiny bites of squid in a spicy togarashi batter with squid ink aioli to dip them into. Decently salty and garlicky, the small mound quickly disappeared to be replaced by a glorious heirloom tomato salad with truffled burrata. This was my 'died and gone to heaven' dish of the day (nothing to do with my burrata obsession, of course) as the sweet red and yellow fruits mixed with the tart bite of the gazpacho vinagrette and the earthy yet creamy cheese. I would have ordered this again and again had my mum not been the sensible party at the table.

And then on to the jamon and cheese selection because who can choose just one? Meat wise, you get a slice or two of the Iberico bellota, Teruel Lomo, Chorizo Magno, Salchichon, Teruel Serrano and Cecina and then a glorious nose of the five cheeses: a creamy Bosworth Ash goat's cheese, a gooey Sharpham, a tangy Cornish Yarg, reeking Stinking Bishop and a sharp Beauvale. As I'm the kind of person who could exist on this fare alone, I was pretty content, although I would have liked a few more crackers and more of the quince jam but I am a bit of a loader.

Staff were friendly, greeting us by name at the door and attentive until it came to pay the bill. The only disappointing thing was seeing a kitchen porter take several trips across the restaurant to stock up supplies and carry out rubbish, but let's hope that was just a one off.

Evidently, it's another great string to Atherton's bow. I'm now three into his outposts and each are charming. Check out what I made of Pollen Street Social and Social Eating House.

& other places: Bar Music Hall, The Dragon Bar, Shampers, Brindisa

Bar Music Hall
Bar Music Hall on Curtain Road describes itself as the 'ultimate venue in East London where you can eat, drink, party and entertain all under one roof, whatever the occasion!' I once came here with some friends who were playing a gig (it has a designated stage area) and hadn't been back since - there's just something about that I tend to avoid. Inside, the area is sprawling and was pretty busy on a Friday night hosting 'The Three Belles' - a 40s/swing act that I was pretty uninterested in - but business was brisk and service was surprisingly quick. I had a couple of promotional cocktails (one elderflower based, another tea-based) and enjoyed them but I still don't think I'll be rushing back.

The Dragon Bar
I first discovered this place as part of a boozy Christmas work do a couple of years ago. Standing proudly on Shoreditch High Street (and Rivington Street), The Dragon (apparently no website) combines dark drapes and a gothic feel (upstairs) with more of a typical dive (downstairs). The DJ works his magic on the end of the concrete bar whilst the friendly bar staff wiggle about and patiently await your indecision. I've been twice in a week (seems to be bit of a pattern, doesn't it?) and there's been a totally different vibe each time - a buzzy, young late-Friday-night crowd compared to a more chilled, older out-for-a-bottle-of-wine gathering. The music's great and the prices aren't too high, and whilst probably not a go-to venue, it's worth diving in for one (or three) if you're in the area.

Shampers
Oh Shampers, where do I start? My dad used to frequent (and still does) this wine bar when he was an ad-man before I was even a twinkle in an anybody's eye. Just off Carnarby Street, this bar is full of interesting characters, always busy and I never leave disappointed. The recommendations from stalwarts Simon and Rothman are stellar, and despite never knowing that Lebanon produced wine, we knew it'd be a good choice (Chateua Ksara 3eme Millenaire). I love that I'm 'continuing' somewhat of a family tradition and love that I'm always remembered as being 'the daughter'.

Brindisa
Following our Shampers escapades, we fancied some food and, having tried out the Borough branch, knew that the Soho site would be a winner. The menus differ by location so we had some new things to try - the seared scallops with cauliflower puree, truffle oil and crispy pancetta were particularly good, and the ox cheeks with red wine sauce and golden beetroot were so tender, I may even be a convert. With a mojito each and plenty of bread we stayed until we were the last diners - I think I'd eat tapas every day if I could.

Queen of Hoxton
The Queen is another multi-purpose venue, describing itself as a bar, club and art gallery - the 'ultimate youth club for adults of the east side'. Split over several floors, the basement houses the club, the ground floor the bar and gallery - all concrete floors, school desks and chairs and a ping pong table - whilst the rooftop (up five or six flights of stairs) is a wide open space with a hot kitchen and a bar serving rooftop-only cocktails. In the winter, they rigged up a giant wigwam to stave off the weather and now, it's a perfect open destination for when the sun decides to shine. At weekends they hold a Rooftop Film Club and they're announcing pop-up food events over the summer. I drank a 'Don't Go to Dalston' (from the downstairs bar) and mintless raspberry mojitos (they'd run out), after really fancying a Bloody Mary (but no tomato juice). Not too bad a place, I'd be keen to see what happens on boozy summer evenings but whilst fun, it's nothing too special just yet.

Sunday on the South Bank

Sunday was one of the best days I've had in a long while. The morning was spent lazing in the garden, soaking up the best weather of the year so far, before heading out mid-afternoon to brave the South Bank.

We headed to the Aquarium - one of those touristy things us Londoners just don't do, and judging by the queues, for good reason. But us Brits are made for standing in line fairly politely and it wasn't long until we were in, marvelling at and anthropomorphising all the species (so many fish holding hands and jellyfish questioning their existential lives).

We emerged into the still baking hot early evening in search of food. Heading along the South Bank, past the various pop ups (from a Wahaca bar to The National Theatre's Propstore) and buskers, we happily ended up at Brindisa, on the edge of Borough Market. A tapas bar opposite one of my favourite pubs (The Southwark Tavern), Brindisa was bustling with diners inside and out. We had a short wait so grabbed a bottle of wine at the bar and browsed the menu, before being taken to out our sunny table and given complimentary iberico ham. We opted for a few dishes (naturally) including: esclavida (toast with salted sardines, roasted aubergine, red pepper, onion and tomatoes), gambas al ajillo (chilli garlic prawns), deep fried monte enebro (handmade goats cheese with orange blossom honey and crispy beetroot) and the pan fried seabass (with mashed potatoes, garlic and pepper refrito). Brilliant food coupled with brilliant service, it's easy to see how Brindisa has grown from one location to four plus a shop in the market and an online store.

From there, we headed back along with the river and nipped in to the Oxo Tower Bar for a mojito. Not the cheapest of venues but the incredible view from the balcony bar on the eighth floor is perfect for watching the sun set. And then, we found ourselves snaking through the BFI to The Drawing Room... 'Tucked behind an inconspicuous bookcase, you'll find a secret entrance to the recently opened cocktail bar. Not quite Narnia, you won't find fur coats or fictitious fawns, but it could be a room taken straight from the country manor that famous wardrobe was found in. The bar is filled with handpicked and just as precious curiosities and curios.'

We drank red wine and blueberry caiprinhas and played Trivial Pursuit to varying degrees of success. Cosy, comfy and tucked away in the back of one of London's most brilliant venues, The Drawing Room was a great place to discover. We tried to stop off for one at Gordon's on the way home but they'd just closed (Sunday after all, Bank Holiday or no) so called it a night - a very successful, exploratory night.