Angelus has long been one of WineChap’s favourite London restaurants, and Thierry Tomasin and his team have reciprocally been staunch supporters of ours: – Always sending updated winelists and letting us host dinners in their charming private dining room, so we are delighted to promote their initiatives whenever possible (Other establishments – please note how this relationship can work to mutual advantage…)
Thierry needs little introduction to anyone familiar with the city’s fine dining scene – ex Le Gavroche sommelier, then on to Aubergine before opening his own restaurant Angelus in a discrete corner of Lancaster Gate (Connaught Village to locals). Tucked up next to the riding stables, the occasional whiff of hay and sweet odure that wafts past isn’t always down to the Sauvignon Blanc or mature Burgundies on his list…
Now the ex Chairman of Sommeliers is offering diners an opportunity to learn some of the tricks of negotiating the hieroglyphics of a restaurant winelist. Like conversational French or a reasonable golf handicap, confidence when ordering wine is a necessary social skill these days. But this need not mean shelling out a fortune – in fact any idiot can spend a lot of money and get a good wine. As Thierry says “Over the years I have seen so many diners panic when presented with a wine menu. Not wanting to disappoint, many spend far more than they need to in order to impress.”
One of WineChap’s most popular wine categories on all our reviews has been the ‘First Date’ option – choosing wines which indicate a degree of connoisseurship (however superficial) rather than just the size of your wallet. But Angelus is the first restaurant to offer specific evenings on this theme with Thierry making his expert knowledge available to guests: “I am delighted to share a little of what I know and make the task of choosing wine an enjoyable experience; a chance to shine, woo and delight those at your table.”
Not to give away too much but a few choice tips from Thierry include gems like:
- Ask for the winelist in advance of your visit to familiarise yourself and then remember the page number of the wine you are interested in so you can locate it quickly when presented with the list at the table (a good choice is a fast choice…)
- Make a note of your partner’s aperitif selection or a previous drinks choice. Someone who relishes a pint of Guinness before dinner is unlikely to be a lover of Pinot Grigio or other very light whites; conversely the companion who nurses a small glass of white over a 20minute period is probably not going to make many inroads in to a magnum of Barolo.
- If unsure of your choice, then discretely point to a wine on the list within your budget and out of view of your guest ask the sommelier if he can recommend something ‘like this’
- The time of day and how you feel is more important than what menu choices, however some basic suggestions such as Sherry with soup and not starting dinner with a Double Scotch are worth bearing in mind.
- Go with a wine you can pronounce.
Places at the dinners are priced at £75 a person and includes 3 courses with wines chosen by Thierry, plus illuminating discussion and if lucky some memorable anecdotes.
Gentleman’s Evening: 7th February
Ladies Night: 2nd March
Tel: 020 7402 0083
Email: info@angelusrestaurant.co.uk
