The Cork and Bottle is an institution in Central London, thirty eight years ago a passionate Don Hewittson drove to the South East of France and packed his car full of his beloved Beaujolais. He drove back to London, where he opened a Wine Bar and The Cork and Bottle was born. Today you can still enjoy the same Raised Ham and Cheese Pie – they have sold over 600,000 portions to date – and enjoy a crisp relaxing glass of white, or a warm soothing glass of red.
Sit down, relax and read!
A trip to the toilets will elucidate the 1960’s with newspaper cuttings from those first Beaujolais runs adorn the wall’s – no rude graffiti here, just one mans enduring passion for wine. The staff are always friendly and enthusiastic, the salads are fresh and crisp with just the correct amount of dressing and overall the food is amazing. They recently won Fodders Best Wine Bar Food in London award and it’s easy to see why.
If you go after 7pm to this cavernous subterranean eatery, you could be joined by complete strangers at your table of two empty chairs. But that is part of the unashamed charm of The Cork and Bottle, it is nothing about pretence and all about excellent wine, great food and chatting to new people.
Engaging
I got engaged in London 14 years ago, and after the proposal in the rain in Trafalgar Square we went to buy a glass of wine in our favourite restaurant. When we shared our news quite a few glasses of bubbly were shared in the warm welcoming wine bar. It was five years after that we went again and it was the unchanging solace in London. The food was still amazing as ever, the wine was mesmerising and the staff – different from the last time, but enthused to be working in such an iconic place in London.
Next time you are in London, go to Leicester Square and book some discounted theatre tickets, and while you are wondering how to kill time to your performance, take a look for Cranbourn Street reaching out from Leicester Square. See the wooden sign on the street and descend into another world and a simpler time. Believe me, you will be a convert from that moment on.
Cork & Bottle Wine Bar, 44-46 Cranbourn St, London. Telephone: 020 7734 7807