Vinoteca

AlexWoods

Re: Mixed bag! 1st October 2008

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I don't really know if this place has disappointed me or not.

It was Friday night so it was busy. Very busy and very noisy, to the point where holding conversation with any one other than your direct neighbour was quite impossible.
Despite having booked, the table we were seated at was far too small and for every person who walked past behind me I received a knock, bash, or drag from their posterior - quite disconcerting. The staff, who I am assured are usually very charming and knowledgeable, were on the whole bloody rude, impatient and elusive. All this on top of the fact that I was tired, day-dreaming of a nice pint all day, and consequently extremely grumpy, has probably marred my experience.

The wine list is truly impressive, with a huge selection served by the glass. What's more, they appear to be reasonably priced. If you’re looking for something other than wine though, you are REALLY in the wrong place.
The menu impressed me very much (and that's not an easy thing to do). I don't like a menu that is too extensive. Restaurateurs often mistake quantity for variety. A well balanced and varied menu need only boast half a dozen choices at each course, max. And at Vinoteca the menu is varied, well balanced, interesting, and concise! Even the vegetarian in our party was happy (though, frankly…well. Best not start on fussy eaters here.)
I started with a very delicious five-spice rabbit and pork rillette. The fat was a little loose which made for a slightly greasy texture but the flavours were very well balanced – just enough spice to enhance but not over power the meat, sufficiently “gamey”, and served with an raw “military” chutney which was as colourful on the plate as on the palate. (What a damn good line! I shall copy write that.) Fellow diners very much enjoyed a fragrant mushroom soup, a sumptuous looking mackerel fillet, and a very smart looking goats cheese and beetroot salad with, predictably enough, a balsamic vinegar dressing.
(Is anyone else getting bored with goats cheese, beetroot and balsamic vinegar salads? I like it but please can we have something new now?)

My main course was roast partridge with a mushroom and pearl barley… pile and a date sauce. Frankly this was disappointing. The bird was over cooked, dry, and not as flavoursome as one could reasonably expect and by the time it got to my table it was lukewarm at best. An achievement in itself as the service area was, literally, an arms length away. The date sauce was far, far too sweet and rather grainy.
With a handful of game chips and maybe a nice crispy slice of bacon it could have made a meal but as it was I found it rather Spartan. Also, expensive! Fortunately this was a work jolly, but had it been my own hard earned cash I would have been most unhappy.

Another gripe I have about the place is the clientele. A more pretentious and obnoxious bunch of wide boys, snobs and posers I have yet to come across. I suppose this is somewhat to be expected given the location, and it certainly doesn’t appear to be the demographic the place is aimed at. I suppose a door policy isn’t really on. (“I’m sorry sir, but you appear to be a terrible w*nker. Please move along, there’s a good chap.”)

I am going to go again and give it another shot but I feel that it probably will be a far more enjoyable experience on a Thursday night for a glass of wine and some nibbles. May be my over all impression is that it should either be a restaurant OR a wine bar. It has wonderful elements of both but just doesn’t really work for me as a package deal.

I SAID IT DOESN’T REALLY… Oh, forget it.

chrisp at 02/10/08

Great review. I visited early in the evening so perhaps the noise levels (and w*nkers) hadn't yet arrived...

Niamheen at 02/10/08

Fantastic review! I really enjoyed reading this :)

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chrisp

Just avoid the sherry 19th August 2008

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Nipped into Vinoteca last night for an aperitif before my meal at St. John over the road. I ordered a glass of dry Manzanilla, which arrived far too warm. A following glass of Australian Chardonnay was much nicer, and the house bread and olive oil made a decent snack. I will probably revisit and have a more substantial meal at some point in the future, as judging by its popularity Vinoteca is doing something right.

Niamheen at 19/08/08

Chris - you must be working from my list of places I want to go to ;-)

caitlinf at 05/03/09

Hello Chris, glad you enjoyed the Chardonnay, to bad about the manzanilla! Next time let us know, and we will get you a super chilled glass. Hope you won't avoid the sherry, it really is delicious!

Thanks,

Caitlin (Vinoteca Events & Marketing Manager)

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