28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen serve exceptional fine food & wine in the heart of Covent Garden throughout the year but for that something special this February and March they are celebrating the traditional Alpine Fondue Festival by celebrating every Tuesday with a fondue experience.
I and a number of members of Love Pop Ups London we had the pleasure of being invited down on a complimentary basis to experience just that with a night of socialising all around a fondue pot full of melting cheese.
28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen
Within any 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen diners can enjoy throughout the year exceptional European cuisine served along with fine wine or curated cocktails.
Their newest restaurant has popped up within the heart of Covent Gardens bringing diners impeccable food, extensive wine choices and wine workshops as well as special classy themed dinners.
So whether you are celebrating a special occasion, dining pre or post-theatre, or just fancy a sneaky after work glass of bubbly, the team at 28-50 are renowned for delivering exceptional service in an intimate and relaxed setting.
In fact Executive chef Julien Baris changes the menu regularly to reflect with the seasons using the freshest produce around. Tuck into a juicy steaks, super fresh seafood or enjoy one of their many vegan dishes and wash down with a world-class wine which are hand-picked to ensure perfect pairings with all their dishes.
Split into sections you can either
- Sit back and relax at their Champagne bar
- Dine within one of their three dining rooms, or
- hire out the private Oak Room or in Summer their terrace
February & March Themed dinner an Alpine Fondue Experience
Independent wine specialists 28-50 will bring a weekly Fondue Festival to its Covent Garden restaurant every Tuesday throughout February until the end of March.
Cheese fondue is often thought of as a Swiss creation but fondue Savoyarde hails from the French Alpine region of Savoie, and sticks to the traditional definition, using French cheeses such as Comté, Beaufortand Abondance. The cheese is then combined with garlic, white wine from Apremont and kirsch, the natural acidity of the wine making those delicious cheese strings and the choice of cheeses adding light floral undertones and notes of hazelnut.
Cheese lovers from London and beyond will be able to enjoy an authentic Fondue Savoyarde experience, featuring handpicked cheeses, dishes and wines from the French Alpine region of Savoie, where 28-50’s chateau and vineyard are located.
Start off the evening with either an aperitif, an authentic French Kir or a glass of Viognier wine which comes from their chateau in the French Alps and then enjoy a cheesy fondue made using Alpine local cheeses (Beaufort, Comté and Abondance cheese, melted in Apremont wine & Kirsch) all melted within white wine and kirsch. Plus along with a platter of Charcuterie and a walnut salad. To finish Swedish style a sweet Tarte Tatin (upside down apple pie).
Advanced bookings are advised as there are limited spaces, call on 020 7420 0630 or send them an email coventgarden@2850.co.uk.
The Fondue experience is priced at £34.95 per person.
Cheesy good time
Upon stepping through the doors of 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen I firstly notice the beautiful Champagne bar which is decorated with Champagne and Grand Cru wine-crates, steel wine racks and hundreds of bottles on display which I found out was designed by Richard Green.
I was then warmly greeted and taken to my table for the night. Upon heading to the table I noticed how the restaurant is split into different sections. From the area I entered into the restaurant it is set up a bit like a casual dining area for say a quick snack with small tables, upon heading round the corner then met with pink pastels and seating back against the wall overlooking the open kitchen, then turning around the corner the colours are darker, there are large tables and big booth areas all giving a more intimate feel for that extra special night for a gathering of family or friends and this is where we ended up sitting for the night.
Fondue time
Once everyone had arrived it was time to get the fondue party started.
Gazing over the menu we knew we was in for a real treat as we discovered that the fondue will consist of three different cheeses and mixed with alcohol.
Whilst waiting for the fondue we each had a glass of French Kir which is a French cocktail and is made using crème de cassis topped up with sparkling white wine. It tasted amazing giving that sweetness of blackcurrants and a hint of acidity from the alcohol.
It was then on with our fondue cheese extravaganza as we could smell it coming wafting up our nostrils.
Firstly though Instagram time.
Bubbling away and placed onto our fondue it was time for a cheese tasting experience like no other in London.
Spearing our bread onto our stainless steel fondue forks we dunked them into the bubbly cauldron of cheese and twisted and turned them around before pulling up and being wowed by the cheesiness of oozing stringy cheese.
We agreed that no double dipping was allowed so popping the whole piece of coated cheese bread within into my mouth there was an explosion of flavours from the variety of the different cheeses and that extra sweet kick from the alcohol.
According to local Savoie tradition dictates that if your piece of bread slips off your fork into the cheese, you’re on the hook for the next round of drinks.
Enough though about the cheese let’s talk about the Charcuterie which was a lovely selection of different hams all with that lovely saltiness to it.
The walnut salad was also a refreshing way to cleanse the palette from its fresh mixed salad leaves through to the sweet dressing and crunchiness of the walnuts.
Also whilst we was enjoying our Fondue experience we were served a lovely glass of Candie Viognier 2016 which comes from Chateau de Candie which is the restaurant’s own vineyard in the Alps which visitors can be guided by passionate and insightful in-house sommeliers, on hand to help advise with their choices. Key highlights include: 2006 Huba Szeremley, Badacsonyi Kéknyelú from Hungary, Saint Aubin, Les Pucelles, Domaine Lamy Pillot from Burgundy or a sweeter Tokaji-Megyer, Aszù also from Hungary.
The wine was smooth, refreshing and had citrus notes helping cleanse the palette after each bite of cheese goodness.
To end the night of socialising fun and the cheese feast of delight we enjoyed a sweet Tarte Tatin which is an apple upside down tart which was flaky, buttery, sticky, caramelised, sweet and ever so moorish.
Cheesetastic
The whole night was cheestastic.
I have had meat fondues before but never a cheese one even though I own a cheese fondue at home and I must admit I was surprised in how good this was with the three different cheeses all perfectly combined together giving that cheese wow factor both for the eyes and taste buds. I will certainly now be looking at recreating this at home.
So if you are looking for a fun night to socialise with friends/family, something that little different to eat and a beautiful restaurant then look no further as 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen is the place to go. With their seasonal changing menu, fine wines, curated cocktails and quality champagne you can’t lose.
Head on down to 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen
28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen Covent Garden
10 Upper Street Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9FB
The Bar
Monday – Wednesday / 12pm – 11:30pm
Thursday – Saturday / 12pm – 12am
Sunday / 12pmPM – 10.30pm
The Restaurant
Sunday – Wednesday / 12pm – 10:30pm
Thursday – Saturday / 12pm – 11:00pm
To discover more about 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen click here.
Thank you to 28-50 Wine Bar & Restaurant for inviting me and other members of Love Pop Ups London down to celebrate Fondue Festival at yours.
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What a great evening, thank you for having me along! Was in such a cheese coma afterwards 😍