Berners Tavern

10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP

WLC Rank : 17

Food Type Cuisine: European

Glass PriceGlass from : £ 9.50 (175 ml)

+44 (0)20 7908 7979

www.bernerstavern.com

[email protected]

BEST FOR

Champagne and Sweet Wine Trolleys
Strong on Barbaresco and Barolo
Large Formats
Art-Filled Grand Dining Room
Dishes by Phil Carmichael of Great British Menu fame

Matteo Montone delivers “a classic wine list with accents of organic, natural and unusual countries” within the dramatically ornate Berner's Tavern dining room, a palace for the people.

REVIEWS

Review 2020

Urged by his wife to do so, Matteo Montone attended and won the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Best Young Sommelier in the World in South Korea just six days before the birth of his daughter, Gioia. The Milan born Montone had already scooped Best Sommelier at the GQ Awards months before, attending the ceremony with the head chef of Berner’s Tavern, Phil Carmichael – who also visits English wineries with Montone.

At Berner’s Tavern, which has such a compellingly ornate ceiling that diners ought to be given mirrors to prevent neck strain, the Director of Wine aims “to provide good wine for everybody,” hence the conscious decision to include a wide array of affordable bottles as well as offering them the opportunity to learn more formally about wine.

Since joining the London Edition in 2017, Montone, who previously worked under Giovanni Ferlitto at The Ritz, has expanded the selection from 250 wines to 900 references including large formats. He oversees eight sommeliers who deploy core cuvées of Champagne to 130 diners via two trolleys, “to ensure they have Champagne within two minutes of sitting.” Sparklers include the Ruinart range, three Dom Pérignon P2 releases by the glass preserved under the Genii system, and Steven Spurrier’s Bride Valley from Dorset.

With the design of the layout approved by the Edition’s brand team in New York, Montone’s list is inquisitive, touching China, England, India and Switzerland – including a white Merlot by Paolo Basso, the world’s best sommelier from 2013 – alongside big gun Bordeaux such as Haut-Brion 1966, often calmly priced Burgundy and a page honouring the venue’s friendship with Trimbach of Alsace.

New for 2020 are decanting stands which bring the more intricate aspects of wine service closer to guests. Montone, who is continually “trying to find space for a bigger cellar,” is also keen to educate guests via pre-dinner “how to taste” sessions in the upstairs private room, as well as offering more structured learning should they wish to attain level one of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

As the Edition opens new hotels in Reykjavik, Rome and Milan, Montone vows never to cease to lose focus on London, which he calls “the premier league of wine.” He will also be participating in the next UK sommelier of the year competition while studying towards becoming a Master Sommelier.

Instagram: @bernerstavern

By Douglas Blyde.

WLC Overall Score 96.5

Value
93.5
Size
96
Range
97
Originality
98
Service
98

WLC Overall Rank : 17

Food Type Cuisine: European

Glass PriceGlass from : £ 9.50 (175 ml)

+44 (0)20 7908 7979

www.bernerstavern.com

[email protected]