London's Best Wine Bars: Champagne Cult, City Of London

Jenny Mackenzie
By Jenny Mackenzie Last edited 131 months ago

Last Updated 29 November 2013

London's Best Wine Bars: Champagne Cult, City Of London

champagne

Continuing our tour of London’s best wine bars.

Background
Alongside London’s glossy, big budget, high profile, champagne bars, this is a welcome find — a fairly central ‘champagne and cigar’ spot, with a louche, front room vibe.

In the Champagne region in northern France, away from the glamorous, famous houses, there are numerous small, family growers producing a wide range of styles, where fizz geeks, Parisians and tourists sit in producers’ tiny tasting rooms, sampling and buying cases. Champagne Cult captures this off-the-beaten track, indie spirit.

Owners
According to the charming staff, multi-talented Miranda Meek’s background includes the military and interior design. A hands-on owner, who did the fit-out herself, she also makes the bread on the menu.

Top wine pick
A succinct, well-chosen range of Champagne. P Louis Martin is great quality and good value at £10.50 a glass, £45 a bottle. Champagne cocktails are £11. An interesting range of spirits such as Laphroaig Quarter Cask, £4.50 a glass. Sake and still wines, soft drinks and beers too.

Food
Snacks and antipasti are £2.50 to £7. The boss’s bread is £3 with humus. Chorizo in cider £3. Sweet and spicy mixed nuts £2.50. Red bell peppers with feta cheese £3.

Who to take
An alternative to the pub for City boys and girls. An imaginative, budget-priced choice for a lunch meeting. Post-dinner smoke on the heated terrace. Tourists to Spitalfields Market. Liverpool Street station commuters.

The USP
An intimate, chilled, drinking den with understated character in a central location. Cigar lovers can enjoy a small, well chosen range from £6.50 for Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas.

Any downsides?
So relaxed, with low lighting and jazz burbling through the speakers, you could easily miss your train.

Champagne Cult, 21 Widegate Street, off Liverpool Street, London E1 7HP. Twitter, Facebook.

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