From the guys that brought us The Experimental Cocktail Club, Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels provides savvy urbanites with a Parisian bolt-hole in Seven Dials. Expect a world-class selection of wine and plenty of frogs’ legs.
The Venue
Tucked away in Neal’s Yard, the two-story venue is comprised of a delicatessen and wine bar-cum-eatery. If you can find the place, it’s magic. Rather than an exclusive bar in the centre of town, Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels feels more like a pied-à-terre. It’s all about the patterned textiles, and a Herringbone tweed upholstered chair particularly catches the eye. If you can nab a two seater sofa, this is date heaven.
Showcasing top wines is the name of the game here.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
The Experimental Cocktail Club Group are a tight-knit family, all with a passion for the hospitality industry. We were greeted warmly, with super-intuitive waiters offering service that was attentive without ever being overbearing. The music was an eclectic mix of old and new, which fits with the clientele. I think Compagnie Des Vins is a place that is best described as a 'living room' rather than a 'lounge' due to its lightness: with French windows and mirrors aplenty.
With lots of comfy seating, you'll really feel like you're at home with your feet up.
The Food and Drinks
With a new breed of uber-refined wine bars rapidly popping up around London, city dwellers are getting a fast-track education in what to order, in what order and what with. The house wine starts at a reasonable £5 a glass if you but dare to travel towards the end of the menu we’re talking nearer to £20 for the Barolo.
The food menu is refined, trendy and rustic without being frou frou. Opt for the buttermilk-fried frogs’ legs and Croque Madame with truffled ham and quail egg for a French culinary experience (and a tasty one at that). The menu is meat and cheese orientated, as you'd expect from a French-inspired establishment, and their daily special of Burrata (a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream) failed to disappoint.
Authentic food and drinks make for a wonderful experience at this Covent Garden gem.
Summary
If you struggle to say the name now, try pronouncing it after a few glasses of wine. Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels is yet another game changer from The ECC Group. A plush interior, knowledge-rich staff and a menu brimming with bonnes bouches, it doesn’t rely on just one element to make it a success. A calm cabin from which to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s well on its way to becoming a Covent Garden institution.
