After half an hour chatting to wine bar owner and importer Michael Sager we're already feeling extremely jealous of anyone living in Victoria Park. In addition to the food and drink delights already there, they're about to get what sounds like the perfect neighbourhood wine bar.
Of course, Sager has a lot of experience in the game - his first place, Sager + Wilde pretty much reinvented the London wine bar scene when it hit Hackney back in 2012. Most recently he opened Equal Parts, a very beautiful-looking cocktail bar just down Hackney Road from his first bar. But now he's getting ready to unveil his most personal project yet, Bruno.
The wine bar is named after Sager's father who helped invest in his nascent business a decade ago and who is being kept completely in the dark over the new bar's identity until it opens. "Now it's time to express my gratitude to him," Michael explains. "I really want to surprise him with it. The look on his face will be worth the secrecy. He loves London and the interior feel to Bar Bruno is going to reflect his new hobby of restoring antiques."
Speaking of interiors, we're chatting mere hours after Michael's trip to salvage heaven Retrouvius in Kensal Rise where he's been sourcing materials for the bar's interior. One key find was some amazing teak worktops from Nottingham University which have been used to make a central counter that you can pull up a stool at. The whole effect should make it look as though Bar Bruno has been there forever.
Set in an old stable block in Victoria Park village, sandwiched between Pophams and The Deli Downstairs, the cosy spot will be both a wine shop and then a bar at night. Wine lovers will be particularly well served, as everything on the shelves can be bought to drink in with a £15 mark up and that includes bottles from Michael's own cellar, built over the last ten years. "It's natural wine, done well. A very personal selection." It's also going to be incredibly well-priced.
On the food menu will be a series of small plate options with a focus on filled pretzels. That's inspired by Swiss-born Michael's homeland where every train station has a pretzel kiosk. "Europeans take pretzels very seriously!"
The whole thing sounds like a serious vibe, think Primeur meets P Franco. And it's all the more important for Sager who's made this part of London his home. "I've lived just down the road for seven years now and I'm really excited about it."
More about Bruno
Where is it? 211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN
When does it open? 15 February 2024
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @bruno___london.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
