The Remedy Wine Bar & Kitchen Review: A Cosy Wine Hideaway in Fitzrovia

Having worked in the wine industry for the last 9 years now, it really has become a big part of my life. Wine is what got me interested so much in food all those years ago. Wine is what helped me develop my passion for travel and most importantly – wine is what made me start my blog, The Foodaholic. It was actually a colleague at my previous company who told me I talk far too much about food and that I should write it down instead. His excuse to keep me quiet. So I did and I’m forever thankful to that person. With that in mind I found myself at The Remedy recently. A cosy wine bar tucked hidden away in North Fitzrovia.

Bottles upon bottles are stacked up across the walls, exposed brick on all four sides, a wrap-around copper bar and high wooden seating spread around the tiny room. It’s very small, but very cosy and slightly romantic.

We kicked off our evening with what this place is most known for (apart from wine) – oysters. Morecambe Bay oysters to be precise from Lancashire. Fresh, zesty and paired perfectly with a glass of light and refreshing Muscadet.

The best part of The Remedy arguably, is its staff. They love what they do here, what they serve and what they pour. It’s perfect when sitting at the bar because the staff can see exactly what you’re eating and recommend dishes to appropriately match. The panko style coated fried whitebait wasn’t at all what I was expecting and the pieces of fish were much bigger too, which only meant we got to enjoy even more of it. We also tried one of the n’duja crocchette bar snacks which were rather epic and paired particularly well with the spicy cherry flavours leaping from the glass of our Barbera d’Asti.

One wine I’m not very educated about is wines from the Jura region in France. I always find them hard wines to describe, but comparing them to Sherry isn’t far off and given my love affair for the latter, I really need to start exploring Jura much more. The racing acidity and nutty aromas were a match made in heaven for this plate of grilled octopus, preserved tomatoes, samphire & black olives. The octopus could have been a little more tender, but otherwise I had no complaints.

By this point I was well on my way to being rather close to forgetting all about the food and drink, after the one too many glasses of wine, but I held back and only stayed for one more – plus a cocktail to finish of course. A gorgeous Chianto Classico paired with a classic Italian dish. Homemade gnocchi & sautéed girolles topped with lashings of Parmesan cheese. This was probably my favourite dish and wine matching here at The Remedy and so I urge you to request it.

Informed that The Remedy are also masters at my favourite cocktails, the Negroni, I couldn’t resist trying one before we left and it certainly didn’t disappoint. If there was one thing I’ve learnt about a good Negroni – it’s remembering to use quality ingredients. It makes such a difference when you get the quality and balance of each just perfectly

Suitably stumbling into the night, The Remedy was a fantastic little find and while it wasn’t at all what I was expecting, I absolutely loved its rustic charm, buzzing atmosphere, terrific wines and excellent small plates. If you’re in Fitzrovia, go now. If you’re in London then jump on a bus and arrive early because seats go very quickly indeed. Would I return? In a heartbeat.