The Best Wine Bar in the World
Despite my best efforts, I haven’t been to every wine bar in the world, so it may be that there are other contenders to the throne, but Monvínic in Barcelona is certainly the best wine bar I’ve been to in recent memory. When the sommelier at El Bulli tells you you can’t miss it, you would be foolish not to act on the advice.
Monvínic is located in the center of the city near the northern end of the Ramblas, not far from the Plaza Catalunya. After some several nights of Michelin-starred dining, I decided to spend my last night in Spain there, and it was a great decision. In a city that prides itself on architecture and design, the slick interior by Alfons Tost is worth a visit in itself, the bathrooms being a high point. As you enter you see a very extensive wine library behind glass panels; patrons are welcome to browse, and many of the volumes are in English. But reading will soon make you thirsty and it’s the wine list that’s the star here.
When you sit down you are handed an iPad-like device that allows you to browse by region, grape variety and producer. There are some 60 selections by the glass. I started with an ’08 Fillaboa Albariño, which set me back €3.50 ($4.30), while my wife, who drinks only bubbly, ordered the ’06 Freixinet Cuvée D.S. But the list covers pretty much the entire world. A rich, oaky ’05 Fieuzal (€8) was a nice follow-up. Then, with my langoustines Catalan style, I ordered an ’07 Albert Grivault Meursault Perrières. The langoustines were so good they almost distracted me from the wine. Chef Sergi de Meia is a mad locavore who sources almost everything from artisanal Catalan farmers, whose photographs are projected on the wall of the dining space. With my suckling lamb, roasted till the outer fat had developed a nice crispy shell, I had an ’04 Produttori del Barbaresco Moccogatta, a great example from this great vintage, and then, on the principal of drinking locally, a 2000 Garsed e Hijos Clos Garsed Priorat, a wine I’d never heard of before—a very old-school Priorat which the sommelier informed me was made with full stem contact from old Carignan grapes.
If I’d been ordering by the bottle I would have had some amazing choices: 2006 Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon for €83; an ’03 Remírez de Ganuza Reserva Rioja for €53. Deep-pocketed drinkers might want to visit for rarities like the ’01 Henri Jayer Vosne Romanée Cros Parantoux (€2,074) or the extensive collection of mature wines from Domaine Romanée-Conti and Château Yquem. No fewer than six sommeliers work on the list. I’m only sorry I didn’t check out Monvínic till my last night in Barcelona, but it’s definitely one more reason to return.
I. Planet Hollywood launches new restaurant & bar on Haymarket
The world-famous Planet Hollywood is opening a new £5 million restaurant and bar on the Haymarket, London SW1 on 19th June 2009.
The new restaurant and bar will have a modern contemporary design, masterminded by Jonathan Manser of The Manser Practise whose past work includes Sketch, the newly revamped Waldorf Hotel and the W Hotel Group.
The open-plan space makes use of light from the vast ground floor windows, and features exposed brickwork and natural timber, accentuated by furnishings in rich jewel colours. In the new restaurant, movie memorabilia, screens and props will only be on display throughout select areas and will feature up-to-the-minute films, which will constantly be updated with new movie releases – keeping it fresh and interesting for restaurant guests.
The Planet Hollywood Bar will be the perfect venue for post-work or late night drinks, with a range of delicious drinks created by the legendary barman, Salvatore Calabrese. A selection of beer, wines and champagne will also be on offer. The main cocktail bar will be located on the ground floor, with an additional mezzanine bar to allow drinkers a great view across the venue.
A ‘Best of British’ room will feature a permanent display of the most celebrated British films, both classic movies and new releases. A huge Union Jack bespoke carpet has been designed for this room, to celebrate the London location.
A private room is also available for hire, which can be accessed via a separate entrance for visiting VIPs and celebrities, as well as further event spaces within the venue for dining or cocktail / canapé parties.
The updated décor and branding will be in keeping with the modern design of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, which opened in November 2007. The venue will use the new ‘PH’ logo throughout, which has been successfully received at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and reflects the brand’s decision to modernise and refresh their offering.
An extensive new menu will be served, featuring a selection of classic dishes that were launched at the original venue’s conception in 1993, as well as some Planet Hollywood favourites, such as the hugely popular Planet Burger.
New dishes, originally created at the Planet Dailies restaurant in the Vegas resort, will also be introduced. A ‘Wok Station’ will cater for those who love Asian dishes and the restaurant will also offer a range of delicious Pizzas for guests.
Robert Earl, CEO and Founder of Planet Hollywood International said:
“I am delighted that Planet has a fabulous new home in London’s West End. The new restaurant has an incredible ground floor position and gives us the perfect opportunity to unveil the new PH brand later this year”.
The Haymarket will become the flagship restaurant of the group and I plan to emulate the success we have achieved with our casino in Las Vegas in London.
Expect a glamorous, celebrity-filled opening night party as we put Planet Hollywood back on the London map!”
