Review 2020

Despite its infamy as The Rose & Crown for being the site of a shooting whereby a man shot his friend for smoking too much of a cannabis joint they were sharing, Sunny Hodge bore no fear in taking on the somewhat isolated venue and making it a destination. With his designer partner, Paolina, he cryptically renamed it Diogenes & The Dog and camouflaged it with Devil’s ivy, stirrup-like wine racks which he learnt to weld together, an alter-esque tasting counter, and most importantly, an embracing attitude to educating his guests on a truly exceptional selection of uncommon bottles.

Formerly of Margot and The Fordwich Arms, Hodge says his endgame is, “to grow, maintain and push the limits of the London drinks industry and maintain the amazing relationships I have with friends, family and loved ones.” During a “rollercoaster” first year of trading, Hodge “adapted, grew, learned, and drove Diogenes the Dog forward” increasing the wine list “a tad” while adding “beers in Burgundy glasses” for theatre. He later provided a phone consultancy to wine lovers during the lockdown to advise them what to drink.

All wines, including a Bulgarian Pet-Nat, Texan Blanc du Bois, Chinese Marselan blend and zero-added sulphite ‘HARVEST 1’ Manzoni Bianco/Chardonnay from Puglia are available by-the-glass, bottle and to take away. One of Hodge’s favourites is Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Goutte D’Argent. “Winemaker, Pascal Marty spent three years in Japan, bringing back a specific Sake Yeast to create a wine fermented at crazy low temperatures.” Post the lockdown, Hodge launched HARVEST 1, a Luddite of a white from Morasinsi Winery, Puglia which is subject to a discount when guests bring their own bottle to take it home. Or you can sip it on-premises with a “boozy cheeseboard”, cured Belgian “Secreto 07” ribeye, or a “seasonal” toasty.

For those yearning for structured vinous exploration, Hodge’s tastings programme includes the uniquely authored Scientific Wine Course. “Remaining true to the unfluffy and cynical nature of Diogenes, we aim to uncover how wine works logically using tangible and scientific principles to enable one to understand wine lists,” he says. Other events have included LGBT Friendly Socials and “soulful Barrel & Blues” nights.

Why the name? Prone to philosophical moments, Hodge takes inspiration from the father of cynicism, Diogenes. “One of the founders of the philosophy of Cynicism, it is with this inquisitive nature with which we approach our wines.”

Instagram: @diogenes_thedog

By Douglas Blyde.

Review 2019

With the eye of his designer girlfriend, Paolina, Sunny Hodge transformed a former ‘national front affiliated boozer’ nearish to Elephant & Castle into a pared-down, almost ecclesiastical coffee, tea and wine bar, where a small altar to wine rather than traditional bar counter peeps through plants trickling down exposed gutters and stirrup-like strict looking wine racks which he learned to weld together.

Formerly the assistant manager of Margot, though never forced to wear a bow tie, Hodge aims for pristine service minus formality. His wines, all of which are available by the glass and to take away, are an eccentric statement against identikit lists predominating elsewhere in the capital, which might take in sinewy, creamy Texan Malbec produced in the vicinity of Buddy Holly’s birthplace and an impeccable Solaris, as sweet as angels tears from Poland. Indeed, Eastern Europe strongly features. ‘There’s lot’s going on post Communism, but no one’s looking,’ he laments.

Don’t cross the hatch to the cellar expecting a flute of Grande Marque Champagne or fluffy Prosecco; instead, try the ‘insanely good’ family made Phermento Lambrusco or biodynamic Monmouthshire fizz from Ancre Hill. Similarly, anyone angling for a pale pink on a dewy spring day will instead have their handheld as they’re diverted into a crab apple-scented orange wine fermented on its leaves from Moravia.

An isolated location, monastic décor and to the uninitiated, unfamiliar wine selection could see such a venue fail were it not for Hodge’s enthusiasm and the genuinely clean-tasting wines he has collected, often acting as the importer.

Come for Blues on Tuesday, incidentally, and be sure to indulge in a ‘Boozy Cheeseboard’ featuring Ubriaco Amarone, and ‘Drunken Meats’ such as cider n’ seaweed salami.

Why the name? Hodge, who also authored ‘Stray Pavements’, is prone to philosophical moments, and takes positive inspiration from father of cynicism, Diogenes. ‘Diogenes the Dog was one of the founders of the philosophy of Cynicism, and it is with this inquisitive nature we approach our wines.’

By Douglas Blyde.

Photos by Daniel Ogulewicz.