Toasties, masterclasses and rustic platters galore; welcome to the club de fromage - spring's hottest drinking (and eating) trend...
Get busy with the fizzy
Why settle for cheese and wine when you can upgrade to cheese and champers? Quite. With retro mismatched furniture, little-known boutique champagne brands and homemade bread and cheese, it’s no wonder the no-nonsense titled bistro Champagne & Fromage (in London’s Covent Garden and more recently – and controversially – Brixton Village) has been such a hit. For a real treat, check out their champagne and cheese masterclasses. Hic.
frenchbubbles.co.uk. Covent Garden: 22 Wellington Street, WC2E. Brixton: Unit 10-11, Brixton Village, SW8
The big cheese
By traditional definition (expensive, exclusive, rare, etc, etc), Super Tuscan might not sound so welcoming, but that’s in sharp contrast to the experience on offer at this cute little Italian wine bar in London’s Spitalfields. Yes, it serves rare, fine wine, but also old classics – and a mean cheese platter boasting everything from black truffle pecorino and gorgonzola piccante.
supertuscan.co.uk. 8A Artillery Passage, London, E1 7LJ
Get up my grill
Toasties are totes having a luxe foodie moment with any high-end restaurant worth its West Country Cheddar jumping on the breville bandwagon. An ideal alternative to the humble cheeseboard, if you’re planning on drinking a lot of wine, obvs, it’s a trend we can’t help think was started by hip husband and wife team, Michael and Charlotte Sager-Wilde. Hackney’s Sager and Wilde is an uber cool find and the grilled cheese is to die for.
sagerandwilde.com. 193 Hackney Road, London, E2 8JL
Amazing grazing
If you love hidden treasures, pull up a stool at neighbourhood restaurant L’Entrepot. Chef Patrick Hanna cut his teeth in Rochelle Canteen and Duck Soup and the vibe here is just as cool. You can choose from about 30 wines by the glass and there’s always a good helping of cheese on their simple small plate-friendly menu. Perfect for after work nibbles – and tipples.
lentrepot.co.uk. 230 Dalston Lane, London E8 1LA
Breaking bread
Technically a bread and wine bar, we recommend heading straight for the cheese board at Bakerie in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. From halloumi to goats cheese with gherkins on the side, it’s as eclectic as the wine collection – prepare to settle in for the night.
bakerie.co.uk. 45 Lever Street, M60 7HP