Vinoteca

Buzzing little place. Really good food - simply put together and well cooked.

Short menu (which I like) and lots of interesting wines by the glass.

Good steak. Will try to go back soon as. But book ahead - it's always fully booked.
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Coops
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 05, 2008

Enough being said how good this place is. The only problem is that you don't know if you can get a table there in the evening. If you are lucky enough to be in the area before 6:00, then go and get a table, order a glass of wine and wait for the kitchen to open. If it is after 7:00, you ring up and ask them to put your name on the waiting list. They will tell you how long the waiting may be. You turn up a little early and wait with a glass of wine. In this way, we manage to eat there at least once a week but forget about Friday evening.
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R&R EC1
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 11, 2008

Exceptionally good, freshly baked, still warm bread, which disappeared very quickly. The starter - smoked eel, quails eggs and jersey royal was I think the best that I have ever had - soft boiled eggs and a perfectly judged dressing. The pigeon and fois gras terrine also went down well. Mains were disappointing Bavette of beef being rather chewy and guinea fowl, so so. However spent a lovely afternoon, punctuated rather later with some good cheeses. Lovely relaxed place to enjoy a few glasses (or more) of wine. Will definately go back, though I may just stick to those georgeous starters.
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ECR - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 22, 2008

ON SATURDAY, thirsty friends and I visited Farringdon's Vinoteca, an efficiently multi-tasking venue: wine bar, restaurant and merchant. We initially perched on stools against a shallow oak shelf until the waitress, taking pity, offered us the only spare table. This was a charming gesture considering we were only stopping for a glass on their busiest evening.

Beneath labouring fans, a straightforward Bourgogne Rouge arrived curiously chilled whilst a blissfully ample Manzanilla did not. A request for water automatically produced a jug brimming with acqua of the commune.

Despite concerns over wine temperature, this venue is clearly a caringly devised, modern classic. In two and a bit years of trading it has become established as a relatively reasonably priced, variously stocked 'embassy' of the wine trade. Having said this, it will not please every guest. Echoing St. John opposite, it is deliberately coarse edged, lacking cosyness. Perhaps, therefore this is more of a stopping point then a destination
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Douglas Blyde
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The wine here is the big seller, but don't miss out on the food. Have visited several times recently (I work nearby), and they serve good portions on properly cooked food that's both seasonal and innovative. Not had a duff wine or meal here.

As somone else on here said, if you want to pay huge markups for bad wine and frozen food you can go elsewhere. Come here and get value for monet that actually tastes good!

Unpretentious, great service, I love this place.

Andy
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Andy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 11, 2008

Food was gorgeous, wine was brilliant, waiting staff very accomodating. Atmosphere (though the place is cramped) was 'buzzing' too.
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Beff - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 11, 2008

Just ate there today - dropped in on way back from Borough Market - and we were very pleasantly surprised by the food. Would recommend going for Saturday lunch - the place was half empty.
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Tim
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, October 27, 2007

It can be hard to get a table - small, constantly busy and no booking rule - but this is easily one of the best food and drink places in London. Great wine list, great atmosphere, well priced, great service and tasty food. What's not to love? Apart for the wait for the tables... Best approached as a place to drop in to rather than destination as that way you won't be too disappointed if you're still standing after an hour. But it's worth it.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 22, 2007

This is without doubt the best bar in London. I have been going since it opened and I have never come across more attentive staff or better food for the price.

They have always tried to accomodate me even when I turn up on Friday lunchtimes with no bookings.

It is popular, so if you are not prepared to wait, don't go. Go to a crappy bar with huge mark ups on nasty wines and get a table. I will go back time and again.
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Claire
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 21, 2007

Vinoteca is an unfortunate victim of it's own success ... Prepare to wait and wait and wait !
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Mr hungry
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Friday, September 07, 2007