BOTTLES is a new Italian wine bar opened in historic Old Spitalfields Market on Friday 6th July 2018. From the co-founders of Bottles & Battles in Mercato Metropolitano, who have teamed up with pop-up restaurant concept, SOOD Family, BOTTLES combine Italian warmth with London edge, creating a relaxed and buzzy space that’s wholly dedicated to the enjoyment of food and wine.
Italian food & wine aficionados, Franco Mancini and Daniele Marano, owners of Bottles & Battles since 2016, brought something entirely new to the city’s wine scene. With this new project, the pair are looking to share their passion by creating a friendly and unpretentious environment that’s all about discovering new wines, exploring personal tastes and revisiting new favourites.
The focus at BOTTLES is on quality wines made by independent producers and small farms, showcasing regional and indigenous varieties and often exploring forgotten grapes. The collection is both a reflection of Franco and Daniele’s diverse tastes and styles, and the result of careful handpicking by the knowledgeable team of BOTTLES sommeliers. While distinctly Italian, the wine list at BOTTLES will also have international flair, and a small but strong selection of fine wines will be integrated into the overall impressive offering of around 180 labels to appease even the ultimate oenophile.
With every member of waiting staff a sommelier in their own right, the expert team at BOTTLES will be able to personally advise guests, enthusing and educating on the many regional varieties on offer and suggesting the most suitable food matching. Examples from the list include:
- Reds:
- Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Terre di Gnirega docg 2012 – Veneto
- Syrah Guarini Coccinella Aldo Viola IGT 2015 – Sicily Italy
- Nebbiolo Langhe Ferdinando Principiano Le Coste DOC 2016 – Piemont Italy (1 hectare vineyard 100% biodynamic)
- “Poiema” Marzemino Eugenio Rosi IGT 2013 – Trentino Italy
- Vatellina Superiore Costa Bassa Sandro Fay 2013 – Lombardy
- Gattorosso Azienda Agricola Sagona igt 2016 – Toscany
- Chenas Philippe Pacalet 2015 – Beaujolais France
- Moristel Tinto Bodega Pirineos Principio 2016 – Pyrenees Spain
- White:
- Garganega Saro` Cristiana Maggiolaro igt 2016 – Veneto
- Tenute Dettori Renosu Bianco Vermentino 2016 – Sardinia
- Fiano Don Chisciotte Zampaglione igt 2015 – Campania
- Carlaz Prima Terra igt 2012 – Liguria
- Ottavio Rube Vino Bianco 2016 – Piedmont
- Riesling Trocken Kalkmergel Weingut Knipser 2013 – Pfalz Germany
- Keknyelu Szeremley Badacsony 2006 – Hungary
With a knowledgeable and progressive approach to Italian food, SOOD Kitchen @ BOTTLES perfectly fits the informal but attentive service, smartly appointed restaurant space and the eclectic wine selection. The talented culinary team of Michele Pompili (Chiltern Firehouse), Carlo Deho’ and Portuguese native Nadine Martins Verissimo (Taberna do Mercado) will make BOTTLES their new home after a year-long residency at Kitchens of Old Spitalfields Market.
With each dish having been designed to match specific wines from each region, the chefs have paired authentic Italian ingredients in an unconventional way that will pleasantly surprise even the most sceptical of palates. While evening dishes can be lingered over, the concise lunch menu at BOTTLES will be tailored to busy City diners, looking for a quick bite and restorative glass.
Examples from the menu include:
- Asparagi e fave
- Burrata in tomato elixir
- Fried oyster, hazelnut pure, lardo di colonnata
- Wild sea-bass crudo, spicy cantaloupe sauce
- Beef carpaccio, cucumber, crispy fennel, tropea onion, nasturtium leafs
- Octopus tortelloni
- Iberico pork, fermented cherries, coconut milk
- Apricot tart, goat cheese
- Home-made cantucci
The venue, which is situated over two floors, with entrances both to Brushfield Street and Old Spitalfields Market, will accommodate up to 50 covers. An outside terrace with heaters and additional seating for up to 25, will lead out onto the market.
With brass light fittings, exposed bricks and vintage reclaimed fruit crates offset by lush old gold and blue velvet soft furnishings and distressed leather stools, the design combines sophisticated notes with an industrial feel. Featuring large communal tables on both floors, the space encourages all kinds of groups – from large parties enjoying bottles and sharing dishes, to couples looking for a more intimate meal.
The lower floor space with an open kitchen and cosy decor lends itself to private parties, tasting dinners and wine and food masterclass alike. On the first floor, a tall refrigerated display of cured meat and cheeses is the room’s centrepiece together with the vintage freestanding flywheel slicer, while a bespoke Mozzarella Bar at the market entrance is perfect to perch at with a glass and a snack. Downstairs, as the evening progresses, the lights will be dimmed, and music turned up, as guests stay on into the night to set the world to rights over a bottle.
Old Spitalfields Market, 67 Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AA
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 11.00am – 11.00pm Sun 11.00am – 10.00pm
www.bottleswine.bar