The Contented Vine

Had one of the oddest and disconcerting dining experiences at the Contented Vine. Booked a table for dinner on a Saturday evening in the afternoon by actually walking in to the restaurant and so watched the booking being entered in the diary. Restaurant was reasonably full when we arrived. Two waiting staff were on duty – with one diminutive girl seemingly running around covering most tables. However we were greeted and dealt with by the other staff member. It is really hard not to be offensive, but the waitress, who I think may actually be part of the management team, could not seem to understand that we had booked a table. After a drink at the bar we asked if our table was ready, as the restaurant was now full, and we were guided to a table that had not been cleaned, and she gave it one wave with a tea towel and invited us to sit down. She struggled to understand our order, disappeared for long periods, and eventually abandoned us altogether at which point the other waitress came to our rescue. The restaurant was full, and I guess many were locals who are just used to this situation, but it certainly took the gloss off the evening. As for the food it was fairly good but not exceptional. There were things that were just silly – the green salad was completely bland, with no dressing offered, you had to ask for lemon to go with fish, and the chips were poor. It’s clearly a popular local brasserie, but I would be peering through the window to see who was on duty before I entered again – I shouldn’t have to do that.
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Simon Hall
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Saturday, May 01, 2010

I had Sunday lunch there yesterday.the family occasion could not have been happpier.However,the roast beef,promised pink if not rare,was like the boiled bottom of my shoe.
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- View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, November 09, 2009

I have just had the worst dining experience of my life at the Contented Vine. We had a new waitress who messed up the food order. Several dishes were not ordered and never arrived even when asked for a second time. The mains arrived before some of the starters. When we asked that we be allowed to have our starters first, the owner arrived at our table, main courses in hand and stated that he didn't want to let them get cold so asked that we eat them now. We took the mains, and despite the fact we were meant to "eat them now before they got cold" all but one of the mains was stone cold and the rare steaks were not rare. We were then informed the plate warmer was broken and that we would not be able to have a rare steak that was not warm through - a point I would dispute. None of this would have been overly an issue if it was not for the attitude of the staff. We were told that due to a new member of staff making mistakes we would have to accept it and eat our dinner as it came. We were also told that the plate warmer was out of action and that we would have to make do with that as well. I accept that some days things do not always go to plan but I would expect somebody working in the service industry to make a little more effort in smoothing things out. A free bottle of wine between us frankly did not go the distance, we wanted our orders in the correct order and at an edible temperature.
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Jennifer
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, October 17, 2009

In the brasserie/restaurant, the food is delicious and not pretentious. The chef clearly uses extemely good quality produce. Presentation and value for money are also high on the agenda – it’s just all so tasty.

The Contented Vine is the perfect restaurant and wine bar for company drinks, a company function, dinner with friends/family or a romantic meal for two.

There are new menus which are really refreshing and mouth watering. The use of their large cellar room and gallery are prefect for large groups either for canapes, drinks or a seated affair. I held my 30th here and everyone told me how fantastic the canapes were. The evening could not have gone any better it was a real success.

The use of the smoking garden was invaluable to some of my guests and I have just booked a BBQ here next month for 20 people and I am sure we will have a great time in the sunshine getting through alot of great wines and dishes on their special BBQ menu.

I understand that the Sunday Roast menu and Weekend Bunch menus are great too. As yet I have yet to try these - maybe soon!

The quiteness of this Pimlico street (Sussex Street) adds to the personal service that you receive and on most visits the service is pretty sharp but not intrusive - just attentive and exellent.

My last word of fair praise has to go to the wine list. This new wine list exhibits a range of quality and value that is very hard to find in London anywhere and will appeal to the connoisseur and novice alike. Amazing!

The whole experience at The Contented Vine in Pimlico is fantastic and one of my favourite restaurants in London.
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Neil Batchelor
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Contented Vine combines the convivial atmosphere of a neighborhood pub with the open, breezy ambiance of a continental bistro. An excellent and diverse wine list is complimented by a menu of upscale classics and British favourites, with delicate crab cakes, meaty burgers and comforting bangers and mash. Friendly, efficient staff, and congenial management who will often be found sharing a drink with the patrons during the quiet evening hours. Tasteful and clean decor. The outdoor tables are perfect for the coming summer months and the quiet street gives an unrushed feel with no traffic noise. One nice touch is that the kitchen is visible through a large window to the left of the bar, so that you can watch as your food is being prepared.

I have been to the Vine several times over the past year, and have always had a pleasurable experience. My cousin and I recently brought my mother, who was visiting from Nova Scotia, here for a Sunday lunch and she said that the calamari was the best she'd ever had. I will definitely be back!
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Matt Boardman - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 07, 2008

For tourists wanting to savour a flavour of real London, there could be no better place than the Contented Vine. Tucked away in Pimlico, it' a short stroll through the peaceful streets of Pimlico from Victoria or Sloane Square. The Contented Vine has not only been our local wine bar for the last 7 years, but it could easily claim to be 'the' local wine bar and restaurant in London. It's warm ambience is truly individual, no gastro pub here. The menu offers delicious bistro food. Last night, I could not make up my mind between my current 2 favourites: the baked goat's cheese souffle or the calamari, both of which from experience I knew would be scrummy. Then for the main course, rotisserie chicken or confit of guinea fowl, decisions decisions. Plus the wine list is extensive and the bottle of Mercurey lived up to our expectations.
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foodie - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 14, 2008

I've been to the CV many times to eat and drink, and I can't stress how brilliant the bar staff are. The manager is superb, I think her name is Anna, and the other front of house staff are so welcoming. When the food comes it always arrives pleasantly and it always tastes brilliant. I know the chefs have been changing recently but all I can say is at the moment the combination in the kitchens is brilliant. This restaurant is highly recommended.
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John Pumpkin
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 03, 2007

well, I have been eating at the CV for the last 4 years, on a very regular basis not necessarily out of choice but because of a company lunching agreement. So have a pretty good idea about the standard of the restaurant, service and food.

If I was paying with my own money I would never even consider eating there, let alone recommend this place. Gregs down the road is far the better option!!! The front of house staff in general are fabulous but are consistantly let down by the back of house. I know that in catering, staff do change jobs pretty regularly, but in the CV's case they must hold some sort of record.

It is very rare that a same dish served from one week to the next is anything like the same. In my last 4 meals there has been some sort of issue with the food, again not the service as Anna the main waitress is great.

If you are a party of people they will do there uptmost to ensure that you have a good time and are looked after, public in the restaurant seem to get a different service unless you are friends of the owners.

By the way this a genuine review, this place could be great if they had a little bit of consistency to say the least!!!
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Paul Kendrick
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 28, 2007