This was an unusual visit, with two distinct aims for my visit into London, although both targets were under the same roof, combining to provide more than a few hours of pleasure and entertainment. Vinopolis is the acclaimed wine tour and tasting attraction where visitors can select their wines to taste from a veritable wine journey around the globe, a fascinating and informative tour and tasting with appeal to the enthusiastic amateur through to the experienced wine drinker. Within our group of four we covered the entire range of expertise, with golfing companion Derrick and his wife Sue bringing with them knowledge, enthusiasm and cases of experience.
The second aim was to enjoy the delights of the restaurant found under the extensive Vinopolis roof, a fascinating and highly attractive restaurant with a wealth of marvellous dishes and even more wines by the glass and by the bottle. I had looked them up on the internet alongside the wine tour and observed the name of Claudio Pulze, a man with a wealth of experience in London restaurants and someone I met many years ago when I visited Gordon Ramsay at Aubergine in Park Walk, the stepping stone used by Gordon to build his global reputation. The name and experience of Claudio Pulze was sufficient to attract our visit, and what a pleasure it turned out to be!
We hungry and thirsty visitors to this popular venue actually began our experience in the restaurant, with a 1.30pm table for four. Surrounded by ornate brickwork and fine wine son display this was a light, bright and fresh approach to dining, exuding charm, style and a menu that had us all struggling to narrow our choices.
Derrick continued to look lovingly towards the wine bottle around us so we allowed him to be the decision maker, along with support from our waiter/sommelier who was a delightful young man from Poland who simply loved his job, and it showed. Derrick selected a Sauvignon Blanc Chevreny, Salvard 2003, and a light and fruity chilled wine which drew admiration from all three drinking this particular wine, a fine choice.
The red chosen with Polish support and no small degree of encouragement from my golfing companion, was a light red, created for lunchtime sipping, a Valpolicella Classico, Allegrini 2003. All four finished this favourite, one I have taken note off with a view to saving some for the summer in the garden.
Only Derrick and I had starters, and I had one of the most fascinating soups ever, my first taste of Creamed Jerusalem Artichoke. Wonderful, it was tasted by all, that
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Alan McColm is QFOL's Restaurant Critic and Travel reviewer. Alan is working all over the country ... more
