Here's a place that takes its wine seriously - just wine - otherwise Cork and Bottle is more of a fun venue where customers could relax, eat, drink and perhaps acquire some wine education. Don Hewitson is the man who started it all and his ethos is a constant reminder that 'life is too short to drink bad wine'. The cellars stock up to 40,000 bottles, so gear up and sip some mature vintages from Chateaux Talbot, Haut Bailly and Domaine Chevalier.

There are also good things to be said about their food - their raised ham and cheese pie in particular - and their grill dishes may also evince strong interest. Try the old boy's personal recipe of Cork and Bottle homemade Hemingway burger and open grilled Thai chicken sandwich. The daily changing buffet spread takes in ½ dozen Cork oysters with shallot and cider dip, duck liver and brandy parfait, and a platter of three vegetarian salads. A Kiwi connection is evident in the dessert list with hockey pokey ice cream and pavlova done 'kiwi-style' with fresh fruit and a passion fruit coulis.