Gorgeous, charming and sophisticated. And that was just the staff! My friend and I spent a superb evening at The Truscott Cellar, a stylish wine bar located on North London's trendy Haverstock Hill.
The Venue
Located a hair's breadth from Belsize Park tube, The Truscott Cellar can be found a short way up the hill, offering some trendy seclusion.
Entering the bar, you're met with a real yuppie vibe. Dim-lighting suitably complements the leathers, the Bordeaux hues, the greys, dark greens and blacks. Classy, sultry; you know the drill. The groovy music was the cherry on the gateaux.
The layout is perfect too. They've really maximised on the space; a large bar to the left with private booths and tables tastefully arranged, conducive to privacy and refined conviviality. Up the stairs is a mezzanine which is presumably for private events and wine tasting.
Our booth was central, offering the perfect opportunity to meerkat at our fellow winer/diners. It was a slight squeeze for us, even as two smallish women, but nothing distracting. The tables would definitely offer a touch more room to manoeuvre, especially if ordering food.
The Truscott Cellar is one beautiful spot for some wining and dining.
The Food and Drink
Admittedly, I’m sceptical when the waiter lays out the 'must tries'. I’m a wee bit fussy and thus dubious if reality will meet expectation. However, I must impress on you just how delighted I was to have obliged. Outrageously divine is, perhaps, an understatement.
All of our courses were recommended.
We began with a French white and Argentinian red from the extensive wine list. The range spans the globe and ascends from £4 to £19 a glass. Fruity, full-bodied, liquorice and so on…
We proceeded to our starters - gorgeous heritage potato croquettes (£7 per person), deeply filled with a scrumptious array of cheeses, truffle oils and fish. My mouth is watering just remembering! This was accompanied by juicy beef chips with Truscott brown sauce (£7) where pulled beef was generously cased in breadcrumbs.
For mains, we feasted on the deliciously rich beef cheek, smoked mash and crispy shallots (£10). A veritable showstopper. Desert consisted of dreamy chocolate mousse, honeycomb and chocolate soil (£7).
Each course seemed to be crafted with such love and attention that my taste buds seemed to be repeatedly exploding into various states of passion and bliss. Taking your meals in places where you taste not only the ingredients but the wild passion for cooking is something I wish I could experience at every meal.
Breathtaking dishes cooked with flair and passion; outrageously divine is an understatement.
The Atmosphere
There was something distinctly cultured about The Truscott Cellar. A real chic yuppie set seemed to be present on our Friday night - very cool, very private and very stylish. It’s clearly a popular haunt, as the place was buzzing with guests from very early on until much later in the evening. The average age seemed late 20s/early 30s but I wouldn’t at all say this seemed exclusive.
Unobtrusive chatter came from couples spending a romantic eve, friends convening over luscious Malbecs, and stylish fin-de-semaine work drinks.
Staff are attentive and knowledgeable, throwing wry smiles around and knowing exactly the classy atmosphere they want to emulate.
There's a classy and cultured atmosphere to the Truscott Cellar.
Summary
Absolutely loved it. We felt like North London young professionals, unwinding in style. The Truscott Cellar is a wonderful reminder that different social scenes exist across London, outside of the East London social zeitgeist, and they’re all as equally enjoyable as the other. This place would suit an intimate date, a classy friends evening out or a sophisticated post-work catch-up with drinks. The existence of a gorgeous menu where attentive staff help you loosen up in stylish surroundings make you question yourself - What more could I want? (To go back every day, probably).
