Located in the space formerly occupied by Vagabond Wines, Bottles nestles across two intimate floors and has a distinctly continental feel. In beautiful weather it would be easy to feel transported to the heart of Milan, thanks to the tempting displays of cured meats and cheeses and tiny tables for two crammed onto the pavement outside. It’s undeniably trendy yet reassuringly unintimidating, with expansive communal tables providing a pleasant perch for you to soak up the atmosphere and examine the crates lining the walls – each one filled, of course, with an intriguing bottle of wine or two.
Speaking of wine, I’m happy to let you know that in my humble opinion the wine list here isn’t far off spectacular. Bottles showcases over 200 different wines, focusing on all things a little bit unique and exciting – no big brands or famous wineries here! Instead, think small producers, interesting organics and unusual regions, carefully selected with the intention of broadening even the most seasoned drinker’s viticultural horizons. It’s a dream come true for anyone who loves wine and I was absolutely in my element.
Admittedly, the breadth of wines on offer can be a little overwhelming at first glance, but another area where Bottles excels is in the knowledgeable, approachable staff who genuinely can’t wait to share their passion with their guests (my main piece of advice on navigating the wine menu is to let your waiter do the hard work for you!).
Manager Marco was an excellent host, eager to offer his thoughts, and to provide excitable expert guidance through the wine regions of Italy and further afield until we alighted upon an intriguing-sounding Verus Riesling from Slovenia. And, God, it was good. Crisp, fruity, a hint of sharp green apple balanced with softer floral notes… everything a good Riesling should be, and a perfect accompaniment to the burrata which arrived gloriously at the table in a flurry of olive oil and delicious cheesy goodness.
In fact, every dish we sampled was pretty spot on. The SOOD food menu is small but perfectly formed, showcasing a selection of Italian classics from Iberico pork to spaghetti all’amatriciana and beef carpaccio. My personal highlight was the cacio & pepe rice balls: essentially a delectable take on arancini with an oozy pecorino and mozzarella centre, complemented with a crisp outer shell.
