The Contented Vine

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
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
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
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
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
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 28, 2007

A good place for Sunday lunch
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simon richards
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 11, 2007

We had a leaving do for 15 people here and it was excellent. We had private use of the terraced garden, the service was goods and the food of a very high standard as well as plentiful. Such an unusual idea to have a BBQ cooked especially for you, it made it a very special lunch. We will definitely be returning!
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Helen Jones
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 17, 2006

Had a bad experience here. Service was bad, bar staff were loud and popping into the shop across the road to pick up crisps which they would eat at the bar in front of the customers. Food was a let down also, especially the escaloppe of veal which had half of the breadcrumbs removed as it was so badly burned, had no broad beans to go with it as stated on the menu but a vegetable curry (!) and the parsley mash had just potato, no butter, no milk, no parsley, just potato. Will not be going back here, would have eaten better in a pub at a quarter of the price!
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Karen
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Friday, May 19, 2006

I orgainsed my departmental Christmas Party at this venue on Friday 16th December for 17 people and we had full use of the restaurant.

The food was sensational and dishes were brought out timely without feeling too rushed so plenty of time to savour the gorgeous wine.

We loved it and have already booked for next year.
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SED
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 19, 2005

I cannot recommend this place highly enough. We held my mother's wake there in their function room, and the service was fantastic, the food lovely, and the staff very helpful, particularly the manager, who was very efficient and helpful in her suggestions about wine and food to be served.

We have been back there many times, and it has become a family favourite for all ages.
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Juliet Gibbes
Friday, October 14, 2005