Luxury, five-star boutique hotel, the Andaz London Liverpool Street has expanded its bar and restaurant offering with the launch of the 1901 Wine Lounge. This new East London space features an eclectic and adventurous selection of wines available by the glass and bottle from a host of established vineyards and lesser known producers
Locally sourced cheese boards, from neighbouring cheesemongers Androuet at Old Spitalfields Market also feature on the food menu as well as charcuterie boards. A selection of wines by the glass have been matched with individual artisan cheeses, such as creamy, soft brie paired with an elegantly smooth Vin De Pays De Mediterranée from the Rhône Valley of France.
So liking wine a lot, and not averse to a bit of cheese too, we rolled up to taste.
The Lounge has a pretty impressive list of over 160 wines and says it’s focussed on making excellent vintages accessible to all, with a selection of 18 wines available by the glass. There are also more exclusive offerings from unchartered regions, such as the Spanish’Sacred Shores’ of Ribeira Sacra and Alto Adige in Northern Italy.
Interestingly the menu also includes a strong Austrian line-up of grape varieties, including Grüner Veltliner, a white grape from the region of Wagram. Another Austrian wine, Rote Kuvee, had a blend of both Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt red grape varieties grown on the renowned Eisenberg vineyards, along with a small amount of international companions such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to give this wine the final edge. A great example of a small production winery featured on the list is the vintage Sangiovese, an Italian red from Casale Chianti, a 16th century Florentine villa and vineyard in Tuscany.
Small plates and sharing platters will feature on an ever-changing food menu, with each dish created to pair with the Lounge’s wine list. Devised by Head Chef Sam Dunleavy, this season’s offering includes Slow Cooked Beef Bourguignon Croquettes, Cured Loch Fyne Salmon with Crispy Salmon Crackling and Dedham Vale Venison Sliders. We tried all of these, liked them all except perhaps the salmon as the crispy skin got caught in our throats.
The space is gorgeous, really warranting the old cliche ‘hidden gem’ as the remarkable mosaic floor was only revealed when they took up a ratty old carpet and now surrounds the central island counter designed for individual and group wine tastings
1901 Wine Lounge Manager, Adam Varga, believes that the new venture will allow guests to explore and experiment with wine: “By ensuring wine is accessible and allowing our customers to make informed decisions about what to drink, we hope to give guests an enjoyable and illuminating experience.â€Â
Opening Times
Monday: 8am – 10pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: 8am – 11pm
Thursday & Friday: 8am – 12pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Food will be served until 11pm, Monday-Friday.
Andaz London Liverpool Street
40 Liverpool St
London
EC2M 7QN