Noble Rot Wine Bar & Restaurant
THERE’S A WHIFF OF THE RETRO about the premise of a wine bar that Noble Rot (how about that for a moniker straight from Withnail?) does little to repudiate. Located on Lamb’s Conduit Street, its simple décor and ambient lighting combine to produce a cosy, bistro-like atmosphere. Assuming you’d like to take things forward, it’s the ideal venue for a third or fourth date. It’s also a great spot in which to catch up with an old chum you haven’t seen for a while. So far, so pleasing – if not, at this stage, all that exceptional.
What is exceptional is the wine list, which must be the most impressive of any establishment of the kind in London. That’s hardly surprising. Noble Rot is the title of the ultra-hip house magazine that, three times a year, brings together a diverse stable of top chefs, influential critics and ineffably cool celebrities to write about their shared appreciation for fine food and top-notch booze. You should definitely consider adding a subscription to the Christmas stockings of the gourmets and oenophiles of your acquaintance. On the ground, all that passion and expertise is reflected on a 26-page list of wines so comprehensive I’d defy anybody not to find something to please the palate. If you’re staying for dinner (and why wouldn’t you?), look to a French-English menu that’s reasonably priced but extremely tempting.
See also: The Guinea Grill, Otto’s, The Quality Chop House
