You Had Me At Merlot - The Valentine's Special
The great lovers: Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Antony and Cleopatra. All infamous for their desire, their attraction and their sacrifices, they have one thing in common - they all ended (rather tragically). So, with Valentine's day in the air, I feel it my duty to bring to your attention the only pairing which truly matters and persists throughout the annals of history: the incomparable, Wine and Cheese. More formidable than the prior three combined, wine and cheese are a sight to behold and a love with a bond that cannot be broken. Thus, as we celebrate our own ever lasting romances this Valentine's Day, why not indulge with other enduring lovers? Particularly my own. With this in mind, I bring you the GPO Cheese and Wine Room, the perfect love nest in which to gaze longingly at the one you love (and perhaps your date too).
Whilst the course of true love never did run smooth, this restaurant was a delight from start to finish. Sitting at our cosy table in the stone hallway, the dark lighting gave a romantic air to the experience, as if we were underground in a European cellar (perhaps slipping away to keep a secret rendezvous). The staff were courteous and on the ball despite our being tucked away and were never too far, meaning you weren't waiting to get their attention. At the same time, they were not too attentive, for that in itself can become tiresome - it's a fine line. Overall the ambience and my impression of the experience left nothing to be desired. The evening had everything I could have ever wanted: a romantic setting, a handsome date, expert staff and cheese and wine, the GPO Cheese and Wine Room and I were a match made in heaven!
It is important to mention that this establishment does indeed have a menu that serves cheese-centred dishes which would make any evening a success. However, I would be remiss in my duties not to advocate the true gem of this experience: the flights. To visit and not try one would be akin to going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel tower, the Louvre or the Arc de Triomphe! Each flight consists of three pairings of expertly chosen cheeses and beverages by the sommelier and fromager, accompanied by some lavosh, quince paste, apricot and dried grapes. With three wine flights, one bubbly flight and one whisky flight, there is undoubtedly something for everyone and no matter which you choose, you will be in food heaven.
This particular evening I decided I was feeling rather Parisienne (dressed all in black, of course) and opted for the European flight. This featured a dry apple cider from Normandy paired with a French brie from the Île de France, an Italian Verdicchio from Marche with a Dutch matured goat's cheese from Germany and, finally, a French fortified wine from Roussillon with a French blue vein from Roquefort. Each was chosen to perfection and gave a varied experience from start to finish. From the outset, it was love at first bite. The cider (although different from the other times I have been here) was an unexpected but creative choice that complimented the creaminess of the brie well. This only got better with the second selection as the Verdicchio's citrus notes were well suited to the German goat's cheese, which melted in my mouth. However, this flight certainly left the best for last as I moved onto the blue vein. Along with the fortified wine, these two were completely harmonious, not only when tried together, but when tried as the final cheese in the flight. My handsome man and I are often at odds when it comes to the glorious blue vein, my adoration pairing off against his disgust, his nose wrinkling at anything that is too pungent. Normally one could not get him to taste some for love nor money, but tonight he did (with a little fluttering of the eyelashes) and even the avoider-of-blue was a convert this evening. If that doesn't spell success, I don't know what does.
This review was nothing if not a labour of love and comes to you sealed with a kiss. If you have a passion for cheese and wine, simply take my word for it and take the plunge with GPO Cheese and Wine Room and I assure you, you'll be head over heels before the evening is through. It will surely be a resounding success, having you clambering for more, for as Thoreau asserts: 'there is no remedy for love but to love more'. So gather your loved one and enjoy, but if you find yourself feeling that this venue doesn't cut the mustard (or the cheese), remember, 'tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Rating: 9/10