Clarette wine bar
Walking on Blandford str, in Marylebone, you pass an old pub with Scottish arms on its façade and an old fashion décor of ironmongery and window panels. You think it’s a pub? No, it is the recently opened Clarette wine bar. At the moment you open the doors you find a different kind of paradise inside. Modern, warm, with colourful chairs and couches, a full staffed bar coming out of a fairytale, if there was drinking in fairytales that is, and there you are in a petit, townhouse styled wine bar.
The best part is that the co-owner is Alexandra Petit, the daughter of the owner of Chateau Margaux (yes the famous French winery in Bordeaux). The others are Natsuko Perromat du Marais, an expert French restaurant consultant, and Thibault Pontallier, the Chateaux Margaux brand ambassador. As you understand if you have them in charge then this should be a pretty damn good place. With some pretty damn amazing wine.
That’s all true together with the fact that the food, French/Mediterranean of course, is also delicious. The great thing is that you have a good range of choices if you prefer a glass of wine, which can happen honestly in few places, and the same for a carafe, which is like a half bottle. There is also a premium selection of wine, system Coravin, in glass and in carafe, in a bit higher price without being prohibiting. As you realise there is some Chateaux Margaux options in there.
I did go for a weekend lunch. We had some dishes to share, a carafe of some amazing Chateaux Margaux white wine and finished with some unbelievable good mousse au chocolat. The environment is also important; I hate dark or basement places during the day, I want some light. Thankfully Clarette had plenty of light flowing in, even though it was cloudy outside, and a very relaxing and homey vibe. It wasn’t also that busy during that time of day, which was nice. I imagine for dinner or night drinks it should be different, but a great choice whatsoever. Keep in mind there is more seating for dinner upstairs.
To sum up: Don’t hesitate to go to Clarette, especially if you are a wine lover, to try some of the best French Wines, either glass, carafe or bottle, and try sharing some tasty dishes. Keep in mind the co-owner is a family member of Chateau Margaux winery, so that says something. Do book for lunch or dinner.
Chic, homey, classy and fun. That is Clarette wine bar.
