Corney & Barrow - Old Broad Street

Corney and Barrow are independent wine merchants who have been in business since 1780. Today they are also well known for their eleven wine bars and restaurants. As might be expected, the emphasis in these bars is on wine, with impressive lists - however, the food is enjoyable too.

They cater for different occasions whether it is a champagne breakfast, business lunch, post work drink or a private party. Each outlet is done up in different colours from rich wine to silvery white, with furniture to suit the mood of the place. The branches can host parties ranging from 150 to 400 people depending on the location, and some of them have private areas for groups and outdoor seating when the weather permits.

All branches offer British food with Mediterranean and European flavours. They have a typical brasserie menu with antipasti and Mediterranean platters for starters. There is a range of sandwiches from ribeye steak to honey roast Norfolk gammon served throughout the day. You could also find season's specials such as crispy herring, pancetta and white pudding salad or seared Hampshire red trout fillet.

They have burgers along with other dishes such as crayfish, Loch Linnha salmon fishcakes, twenty-eight day matured sirloin steak with béarnaise sauce or lemon and herb butter with Portobello mushrooms, sautéed spinach, slow roasted tomatoes and hand cut chips. For a perfect end to your meal, try the classic spotted dick with vanilla custard or have the chocolate and terrine with espresso cream.

Corney and Barrow cater to an eclectic clientele, so don't be surprised to find satellite television and huge sports screens at their Lloyd's outlet, but a more sedate group of office goers with a few representatives of the Press and Law at Fleet Place while theatre goers throng to the West End branch.