Vivat Bacchus

I took my wife and in-laws to Vivat Bacchus, hoping to impress my father-in-law! I need not have worried. The food was superb, a Spanish tasting platter with delicious hams, fat scallops and excellent springbuck. The way the sommelier treated us in the cellar made us feel very special. Her recommendations was spot on; a German riesling and a South African shiraz, both more-ish. We had a splendid evening, and I am glad I have a friend who almost 'forced' me to go - I will return!
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Craig D
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 30, 2006

As a wine-lover I was really looking forward to visiting Vivat Bacchus... the decor and surrounding bottles did not dissappoint. The famed visit to the cellar to choose the wine was unfortunately marred by the dismissiveness of the somelier. As someone who has studied wine I don't expect to feel put down in discussions about the choice of wine for the meal... and indeed good service to someone unknowledgeable about the subject shouldn't leave this impression, but sadly this was the case.

The rest of the service was very attentive and friendly however, and the food, especially the spring-bok, was excellent so perhaps this was just a bad night for the wine staff...
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Saturday, June 24, 2006

I'm sure it's a nice enough place, but when I tried to book a lunch table for 8 people they insisted that we pre-order our food. This was an impossibility as 5 of my party were travelling and impossible to get hold of.

So, we missed out and so did they.

Very disappointing and inflexible service.
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Lisa
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, March 27, 2006

I chose Vivat Bacchus to take my team of 6 from work for a late Thursday lunch to celebrate Christmas.

After reading the reviews below and requesting the menu to be emailed, I secured the booking. I was taking a bit of a gamble booking a restaurant for a special occasion that myself and my colleagues had never heard of!

We were invited into the cellar and recommended a few different bottles - I agree with the reader below that it is refreshing to see the owner so passionate about wine and good service with no pretention whatsoever! We decided on a south african merlot and ended up staying on it until the 4th bottle.

Our starters arrived and were digested just as quickly - the scallops and venison carpaccio come highly recommended.

Our mains were amazing - very filling but we still had room to fit in some cheese! My roast salmon traunch with olive and anchovy tapenade and spinach was out of this world and 3 of my colleagues had the beef stew with dumplings and were equally impressed.

So after lunch we were invited into the much anticipated cheese room. And it didn't disappoint one bit! It was truly the icing on the cake to a great afternoon.

After 3 hours, we left completely satisfied - the food, wine and service was impeccable.

For 5 people to have 3 courses and coffee, and for 1 person to have a large cheese plate, plus 4 bottles of wine the bill came to £380 - not bad!

Perhaps only one point for improvement.... when I booked 3 weeks in advance, I asked if it was too late to arrive for lunch after 2.30 - to which the response was 'the kitchen is open until 4pm so yes that's fine'. When I phoned 2 days prior to confirm, I was told that we would absolutely have to arrive before 2.30 as the kitchen was closing then! In the end we made it at 2.35 and despite the greeting of 'you're late', we had chosen off the menu in advance and ordered quickly.

Highly recommended!
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Helen Kelly
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, December 09, 2005