Manouche Wine Bar

Simple, good-value French food, a good (and not entirely French) wine list, friendly regulars and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

If you want a quiet drink or a quick supper in the area and you want to hear what your friends are saying to you (or want them to hear what you're saying to them, even) then this is what you're looking for.

Lunch deals are also very good: much nicer than the traditional sandwich and not much in it, price-wise.

You'll become a regular once you've found it - everyone I've ever taken has done...
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

For a basement wine bar, it s very spacious, doesn't seem to get stuffy and airless like many other places.

French orientated but not too frenchy. Wide range of wines and affordable food.

Good cheap, "quick menu" at lunch time. Friendly people on both side of the bar, though a VERY mixed crowd of regulars.

If you like it LOUD, isn't for you.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 18, 2006

I'm puzzled by the previous reviewer saying it is smoke-free - it's not very full and well-ventilated, therefore not smoky, but is not actually a non-smoking establishment, fortunately.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Manouche's basement location is a bonus if you're wanting to get off the street and down into a reasonably snug, intimate, smokefree environment, good for conversation and creating your own little world with friends or a date, without all the hassles of crowded pubs or bars. My first visit was also for a first date with someone I'd met off the web, and it was fine: the house red and white were your standard £3 and very drinkable, the chairs were comfortable, the noise levels low, the barman and owner welcoming. The friendly young woman behind the bar could have done with some training on how to use the till and needs to work on her English, but otherwise Manouche was just the place I've been looking for in Fitzrovia - I can easily see myself going there again.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 04, 2006

Relatively new wine bar run by the former barman at La Tartine in Covent Garden - offers very similar traditional French brasserie food, at very reasonable prices; £3-5 for starters, £6-9 main courses. I had one of the best omelettes I've had in years the other day, and the wine selection is also very reasonable.

We always enjoy coming here, although the room itself sometimes feels a bit stark.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 03, 2006