The Vintry is a popular wine bar and gastropub in the City. Forming part of the distinguished Fuller's group, you'll find it tucked away in Abchurch Yard just off Cannon Street, easily reachable from Monument station and carrying a fine selection of over 170 wines. Naturally, we popped down after work one night to sample a couple.
The Ambience & Clientele
The crowd at The Vintry is largely decided by its location in the heart of the City and proves very popular with workers and bankers looking for a post work tipple, but it also has plenty to offer those heading there from farther afield.
The Vintry is divided between main bar and dining area, catering for hungry patrons looking for palate-pleasing fare and those looking to unwind with a drink alike. The dining area is laid out with wine glasses and place settings and decorated with a plush, refined interior; allowing diners to enjoy a pleasant meal without being surrounded by groups of standing drinkers propping up the bar. At the same time the drinking contingent are taken care of as there's plenty of space and a polished wooden bar stocked full of great wines and ales to select between. Maintaining a division between dining and drinking is something that lets down many a gastropub, but The Vintry keeps the balance and allows for a relaxed experience regardless of your reasons for visiting.
A vivacious after-work crowd work their way to the bottom of a pint at The Vintry
The Food & Drink
There is an extensive range of wines available at The Vintry and most are well priced between £18 and £40 per bottle, with many also available by the glass. We opted for a very reasonably priced bottle of Merlot (£18.50) which was both crisp and refreshing.
To eat, we bypassed the seafood choices of scallops and langoustines, and ordered the Hampshire beef burger, with caramelised onion and the Salmon fillet served in a potato broth with tempura lemon.
The service throughout our visit was excellent, and despite being well-popluated by a vivacious after-work crowd, staff were very helpful and the chefs did a sterling job of ensuring food arrived promptly. Once we tucked in, the burger was tasty and the zesty lemon tempura complemented the salmon perfectly. The food definitely hit the spot, so we decided not to opt for a dessert and couldn't even be tempted by the chocolate torte teamed with crème fraiche; that will have to wait until next time!
Indulgent burgers are safely washed down with a litany of great wines.
Summary
Overall, the food at The Vintry was good, the service was attentive and the thorough choice on offer suited palates of all persuasions. The Vintry manages to create a lively atmosphere without tipping the balance into loud or intrusive, which in turn allows for a relaxed and friendly experience throughout; ideal for recovering from the stresses of work in the City.
