Hidden wine paradise!
Just off Shandwick Place hidden in the same building as La P’tite Folie, tucked away in the back, is a large, bright and open space with a spectacular wine bar with Enomatic wine dispensers.
We were given a seat near the impressive bar and perused the menus – food with wine by the glass as well as a more extensive bottled wine list.
The menu can be viewed online here.
We picked a couple of fruity red wines to try: Man Vintners South African pinotage £4. and Las Moras Argentine Malbec. Ms Foodie enjoyed the pinotage but we both agreed that the slightly dearer Malbec at £5.60 was much smoother with a nicer finish.
Bread was provided to the table – fresh and crusty, and always good to see Lockerbie butter served too!
Apéritif Mis-en-Bouche (Tray of Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Cured Meat) £8
Really nice assortment of olives with stones/pips intact but they came away really easily.
Meats tasty and fresh and not greasy/warm like we’ve had on meat platters elsewhere. The cherry Tomatoes were also in a very nice dressing. The only minus was the Pringles, which wasn’t very exciting, more meat or cheese would be better! A few pickled onions and cornichons also provided.
A dozen snails in garlic butter with bread £7.50
A toasty hot plate delivered to the table with more bread also provided. We like snails and these we drenched in lots of garlic butter and delicious. We soaked the remaining bread in the garlic butter.
Another couple of glasses of wine were ordered – the waitress helped us pick some new ones after asking about our tastes. Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG – Canaiolo and Tenuta Bichi Borghesi £5.60 each, again both smooth and went well with the meal. The Chianti was probably the winner this time!
Roast Rib of Beef Sandwich £9.50
Beef accompanied with roasted sweet red peppers and salad. Nippy horseradish sauce and mustard also provided and there was a horseradish taste to the dressing on the salad as well. Thick chunks of beef on tasty bread.
Croque Monsieur £ 7.95
Good croque, with lots of topping. Ms Foodie was happy (!)
On a roll we went for a dessert wine of Rivesaltes Ambre 1996 £5.95 for a 50ml glass and a Graham’s six grapes vintage character port at £4.75 for a 50ml glass. Both sweet and smooth.
Creme Brulee £4.95
Good crisp top, creamy pudding, perfect.
Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream £4.95
Lovely moist pudding with a sweet gloopy sauce and ice cream.
Conclusion
Le di-vin is a hidden gem with an extensive wine selection (which could take a while to work through!) providing a small menu of simple yet delicious French fayre which is well-priced and unpretentious. The restaurant is open, inviting and relaxed (and the toilets were clean and looked after). The staff were friendly and approachable and offered advice on the wines and chilled music was playing when we visited (a mixture of English and French tunes) so it would be very easy to spend a few hours here. We also overheard a regular customer praising both the wine and the food.
We’re not so sure about the mural above the entrance though!
Le Di-Vin is open daily from 12 noon till late 6 days per week (closed Sundays).
The food menu can be found here.
