Two of the finest things in life will always call for The Sybarite to do a review: wine and cheese. The perfect combination that can absolutely never go wrong. Would you agree?
(Un)fortunately at The Sybarite we are avid lovers of this magnificent combination and we are always on the search for the latest openings and undiscovered gems that involve these two passions of ours.
So when we were invited to an intimate wine bar located in the vibrant area of King’s Cross, just minutes away from the beautifully buzzing St Pancras Station, we jumped at the chance. A small hole-in-the-wall from the outside, but surprisingly big when you step inside, it was wine and cheese night for The Sybarite team!
Following the roots of its sister-site in the Cotswolds, The Cellar King’s Cross is a cozy restaurant for those looking to switch off their minds after a busy day and enjoy delicious food in an informal atmosphere. A great coffee shop during the day and a lovely wine bar in the evening.
We were seated in the best spot of the restaurant, facing the window of the packed Pentonville Rd, an ideal spot for people watching, with bottles upon bottles and cute frames stacked up on the walls and around the counter. The restaurant was unfortunately rather empty, which given the time and location, was not the vibe we were expecting or looking for from a wine bar.
We kicked off our evening with two glasses of what they call (and what apparently the place is known for) “Skin Wine”, a cloudy sparkling wine, and some popcorn while we were looking at the menu. Their food menu is limited, they focus on curds, cures and snacks. However, they offer a wide range of different wines, almost everything available by the glass, carafe and bottle. From delicious Frizzantes right from Veneto, fruity and crisp whites, brighter rosés to classic reds.
We were really looking forward to starting our culinary journey through the different selection of cheese and wine they offer. We had two different sharing boards, one made up of five kinds of cheeses, pickles, olives and a variety of meats, followed up by a second board consisting of quality homemade bread and focaccia to accompany the antipasti. Every single piece on the wooden board was delicious, specially the brie mixed with the chutney, heavenly.
Food was lovely, each cheese had a different and tasty touch, succulent charcuterie and a very tender and warm bread. However, in full honesty, wine and cheese is always a good combination and it is hard to go wrong. What we expect in a wine and cheese bar is a story surrounding the origins, flavours and pairing combinations of the wines and cheeses, just to make an already great experience just that little bit special.. A wine bar that prides itself on British produce, we hoped, would really try to educate its clientele on the lovely produce they offer.
The Cellar was a cozy little find and while it wasn’t entirely what we were expecting, we enjoyed their charcuterie and cheese boards which we selected to go with their wines. If you find yourself wandering around King’s Cross, it's an easy little drop in for an uncomplicated wine and cheese moment!
