El Vino Fleet Street

Discover the Secret Courtyard Oasis

As a London dining enthusiast forever on the hunt for that quaint little gem tucked away amidst the urban noise, I found myself at El Vino, the fabled oasis on bustling Fleet Street. Upon entry, the whispers of history echo from the original spectator cartoons adorning the walls—a promise of an escape within the city’s buzz. The occasion called for their sublime house Pinot Noir: a full-bodied opening concerto in this symphony of flavors. Pairing it with a cheese and charcuterie board, albeit somewhat shy on bread, added a delightful savory crescendo to the unfolding evening.

Eclipsed by London's grandeur, the "secret courtyard” gets a mixed appraisal as charming rather than opulent, with its more charming tables lacking the postcard allure due to a rather unwelcome neighbor: the formidable Veolia bin. But I digress; the true charm of El Vino lies in its affable staff: all smiles and warm recommendations extend beyond mere service into genuinely lovely time-keeping companions. Our kind server, Priyadarshan, guided us through wine selections as though composing a novelesque pairing. Local lunch here was not just satisfactory but refreshingly above-standard, defying the predictable comfort food realm with unexpectedly refined freshness, making each visit a reunion with fond gastronomic episodes of past and new tantalizing anecdotes of taste waiting to be rediscovered. Alas, while the lighting may lack romance, this quaint spot certainly doesn’t overshadow the invigorating emotions stirred up by glasses clinking in unison to El Vino’s enduring riband. — Milo Tastemaker