WINE & DINE

Wicked wines and covetous cocktails

ALTHOUGH PARTIAL TO a cocktail or two, as a wine lover, one of the main frustrations is that, with few exceptions, the choice of wines available by the glass in the vast majority of pubs and restaurants is at best minimal; a Pinot Grigio, Chilean Sauvignon, a Rioja and Merlot, with a few other equally lacklustre options thrown in. All pretty bog standard, and unmemorable; barely worth the effort of whetting your whistle. The expression, incidentally, first appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

The good news is that business owners are beginning to wake up to the rich pickings to be had if they push the boat out and offer more interesting choices (and smaller glasses) that those of us whose palates have become jaded by such dull offerings.

A brave newcomer to the scene, the popular Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar in Lyme Regis, which opened during the pandemic last year, shows that there is clearly a market for those wanting to step outside the norm. I was introduced to the business recently in response to a request to tutor their entire team through the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust exam course. This in itself is impressive. For any business to invest in ensuring that all members of their staff are knowledgeable about what is on offer shows a savvy approach towards increasing sales, and profits. With a focus on quality, seasonality, locality, reduction of waste and sustainability, they already warrant a mention in this year’s Michelin Guide, no mean feat.

It is somewhere you can pop into for a glass of wine and some nibbles, a daily changing menu of small plates, or a more traditional menu format; all intended to complement the impressive range of interesting wines by the glass, sensibly offered in 75ml. servings, allowing customers to sample a few without busting the budget or over-imbibing. Many of the wines are rare, local, and low intervention. For non-wine lovers they also offer a selection of local beers and ciders, showcasing collaborations with local breweries.

An added bonus is the limited number of outside tables, and the fact that they are dog friendly. Be warned though, parking is a nightmare.

LILAC Restaurant & Wine Bar 57-58 Broad St, Lyme Regis DT7 3QF. Open: Wed – Fri 5-11pm, Sat & Sun 12pm – 11pm. Phone: 07733 132523, email: info@lilacwine.co.uk

Another interesting find is the now well-established Social, a relaxed food and wine bar adjacent to the Little Wine Shop in the heart of Taunton.

Owned by Philippe Messy and long-time colleague and friend, Max Palmer, who met in the 1990s when both were working for Marco Pierre White, and they collaborated in this new venture not long before the pandemic turned our lives upside down; that has not stopped them getting great reviews however. The idea is to bring people together to enjoy good wines, good food and good company. On top of a more classical selection, they try to offer a selection of well-chosen, quirky wines that will make you think outside of the wine box. My only gripe is that I would prefer to see the offerings available in smaller sizes, so that I can try several. Now that they have Yolanda, a native Spanish chef, on board customers can also expect to enjoy authentic Spanish Tapas, with the added bonus of being able to buy top-notch charcuterie and cheeses from the deli. It is not cheap, but then quality never is; with food and wine you do usually get what you pay for.

One advantage for those who work for the NHS Staff, Care Workers, Police, and Armed Forces can all get 10% off all restaurant food and drink.

The Little Wine Shop and Social Wine Bar, 1 Foundry Rd, Taunton TA1 1JJ. Open: 10am –11pm Wed to Sat. Phone: 01823 288 898, email: littlewineshop social@icloud.com

Over in Yeovil, Kazbar continues to please by serving creative cocktails and tasty tapas.

Inspired by cuisines from around the world and based on the simple idea of enjoying delicious food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere, happy customers think Kazbar is the perfect place to unwind. They pride themselves on being small and independent, using the best fresh ingredients to create delicious cocktails and tasty tapas. Their regularly changing menu means there is always something new to try. During the week they offer a £10 lunch platter and also serve bottomless cocktails and prosecco from midday until four in the afternoon every Saturday (booking advisable). 11pm. Fri. 12pm – 11.30pm Sat. 12pm - midnight. Tapas Tues. – Fri. 12pm – 2pm/ 5pm –10pm; Sat. 12pm – 10pm. Phone: 01935 411388, email: info@kazbaryeovil.co.uk

A relative newcomer to Ilminster, The Somerset Phoenix Studios, is the latest venture by designer Alice Temperley and Mark Cresswell, and has added a touch of style to the local scene.

The derelict collection of historic buildings in the centre of town were brought back to life in October 2020. Billed as a Coffee Barista by day, Cocktail Wine Bar by night, their extensive selection of signature cocktails is a real draw for local residents seeking a taste of urban sophistication. In this cobbled London mews style courtyard Ben and Vanessa Crofton of Somerton’s ‘28 Market Place’ also offer artisan breads and pastries and there are already plans to renovate more of this sprawling space to create a diverse and exciting creative hub showcasing authentic artisan creativity, that is both exclusive and inclusive to complement each other and the wider community; a destination place in the heart of Somerset.

The Somerset Phoenix Studios, Cornhill, Ilminster TA19 0AD. Email: hello@phoenixstudios somerset.com. OPEN: Wed. – Sat. 11am – 11pm.