We've been a fan of Hotel du Vin since the earliest days of the boutique hotel chain, when Robin Hutson (now at Lime Wood) and Gerard Basset (2010's World's Best Sommelier) opened their first place in Winchester. Now we learn that the group is to open its first standalone Bistro du Vin in Clerkenwell this April and has secured the services of Danielle Meenagh - one of the scholarship winners from Michel Roux's Service as sommelier. Danielle is currently honing her skills down in Winchester, ready to start in Clerkenwell when the restaurant opens in Spring.
As you'd expect, wine is going to play a key role in the restaurant. There'll be a massive glass-walled wine cellar housing 500 bins. And if you love counter dining you're in for a treat as the Bistro features what they reckon to be one of the longest dining bars in London with 30 covers.
Situated on St John Street, where the Eastside Inn used to be, Bistro du Vin will also reference its location just down the road from Smithfield meat market - they'll have their own butcher on site, who'll be on display to diners. Restaurant-goers who like to be in the cut and thrust of the restaurant should book out the glass walled chef's table which will be in between the kitchen and butchers.
In charge of the menu will be John Woodward, who's making the move from his current position just around the corner at Malmaison London. The bistro will be open from breakfast through to the wee small hours with a 3am licence. If all goes well, this should be the first of three or four Bistro du Vins in London before they roll it out to the rest of the country.
