Noble Rot, London

Once upon a time, the Princess and the Prince Charming lived happily forever after. That did not happen to me, ended rather tragically but one thing that it lead me into is the world of wine or some may called it alcoholism. So much so, when I asked the mighty world of Twitter for the best wine bar in London, Noble Rot was one that got mentioned the most along with couple of other names. I remembered talking to someone at Handford Wines before Christmas, they were saying how good the wine lists was. Anywhere with a good wine list will most definitely attracts me.

Lamb's Conduit Street is a fascinating street, a historic street with all different quirky shops. Sitting on this street is a new wine bar from the chaps of the wine magazine Noble Rot. It feels like it's been there forever, which it has since 1973 before a change of ownership in the late 2015.

Lopez de Heredia, "Tondonia" Tinto Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2003

The menu reads simplicity, at the helm of the kitchen is Paul Weaver who previously worked at the Michelin starred The Sportsman and St John Bread & Wine. With consultant assistance from the man himself, Stephen Harris of The Sportsman. The wine list is even more impressive and is organised by a mix of geography and grapes variety. If you know your wine well, you can spot few bargain bottles below the retail price.

A start with a sip of Lopez de Heredia Rioja 2003, full of juicy ripe fruit flavour. Along with the wine was a cheese plate (Reblochon, Sant Andrea, Beauvale), I got too excited looking at the cheese that I forgot about the photo. Before I know it, the cheese was already demolished.

Duck Ham

I do realised that I started with a dessert first, well cheese for me is more of an appetitser. There's no right or wrong order for food, eat what you love and drink what you appreciate. The duck ham has no relation to the animal piggy, it is thinly sliced smoked duck breast. The oiliness cut through the second bottle of wine, a Shiraz that is very different palate to the initial bottle of Rioja. (I cannot seem to find the Shiraz on the wine list afterward, forgive me again no photo).

Comté Tart, Pink Chicory & Pickled Walnuts

Confit Duck Leg, Puy Lentils & Aioli

Tonight, I found a new love in the form of a Comté tart. Comté is one of my favourite cheese. This is like a savoury custard tart. That intensive cheese flavour and slight gooey melt in the mouth texture, no amount of words can describe it to the point that I have ignored the duck. The salad that went with duck had a slight bitterness but a tang with the dressing making it refreshing to eat. Whilst the duck was good, meat falling off the bone paired with a hearty puy lentils. The dish was simply over shadowed by the brilliant Comté tart. 

Noble Rot is indeed very good, fantastic food and exceptional selected wine list. It met up all the hyped that I heard and excelled in my expectation. Quality food with a bistro fare and quality wine with price tag that does not break the bank. What is not to love about it? With delicious food comes great wine, more importantly is the company that you attended with. With an amazing company, it made this meal even more brilliantly. A word of advice: drink on caution! 

Score: 4/5

http://noblerot.co.uk/wine-bar