Vinarius wine bar and wine store, 536 Roman Road

Vinarius wine bar and wine store, 536 Roman Road

This is a new wine shop on the east end of Roman road which can easily be missed among the welter of market stalls. But once inside you will find a winery that challenges the mighty Bottle Apostle in the village. What might surprise you is that at the back of the shop there are a few tables serving meat, cheese and fish platters all washed down of course by a fine selection of wines. The silver fox and the mothership accompanied me on a wintry Friday evening ahead of the Roman road Christmas fair.

The atmosphere was convivial and the waiting staff charm personified. We already knew we were in for a good evening from the start, amplified by subdued lighting, exposed brickwork and that level of French music that makes you feel like you could be in Paris smoking a Gitanne at a pavement cafe.

We kicked things off with a delicious bruschetta made with handsome tomatoes and a pretty special olive oil. I went to choose a wine from the main shop area, erroneously leaving my mother to taste a few reds. Imagine the horror as I return to a series of empty wine glasses and a slightly glazed looking Mum.

For mains we shared a generous meat and cheese platter, alongside a trio of vegetable toasts (artichoke and roasted mixed peppers). Sublime.

We accepted a generous round of limoncello for our pudding and left happy, sated and full of goodwill to all men.

This is a very welcome addition to The Roman, and you’ll find a large choice of wines (specialising in Italian) to purchase or drink in (with a fair corkage of a fiver, which allows you to drink amazing wines at a great price).

It’s worth noting that they also serve breakfast and brunch, with great coffee.

Three had a lovely little knees up whips sinking a charming Chablis and a violet packed ruche for just over £60 all in.

Worth noting they offer 10% off first orders too with their in house postcard!