Unwined in Waterloo

Trendy Gem: Unparalleled Wines and Vibes

Should you find yourself wandering the culturally layered streets of London, fatigue setting in from a day filled with trend-hopping and gloomy urban vistas, make haste towards Waterloo, where "Unwined" awaits—a beacon of vinous respite. Here, the air is perpetually cleaved by towering glasses raised in good spirits, while around you lives an eclectic mix of merriment: office elites giving weary PowerPoint slides the cold shoulder, intimate trysts cornered in strategic nooks, and casual meanderers grappling with wine lists that read like old friends. Upon arriving unreserved, potentially disastrous on any given night for gastronomes and oenophiles at such hotspots, fate graciously wedged us into the cozy alfresco enclave. Temperature? A toasty affair courtesy of heaters paired with January’s plush cloak.

It must be said, there lies magic within their boisterous playlists and retable sommeliers who flit seamlessly about—the latter always ready to punt you toward curious, hitherto unexplored varietals without once brandishing disdain for those quizzical wine-botherers like myself. Yes, indulgence is both affordable and cultivated here. On offer was the frivolity of a mystery wine, deserving honour bestowed with rouges-de-charme’n confidence; hear ye, floral notes that sing with relieving moderation! Culinary diversions are also plentiful and joyous: consider cauliflower croquettes reminiscent of savoury altar offerings and fluffy focaccia their willing bedfellow. We washed through wines and nosh well into fortune marred only by sardine seating—entering true Hemingway territory as we sat shouldered all too proximately with our legs bearing requisite tonal awareness of passerby limbs. But lo, reader, such squabbles recede like embers when a juncture treats you so splendidly. Inspired whispers into ear buds tell of returning, as indeed I predict you might, glowing with unveiled reverie upon your contented departure! — Penelope Savory