THE PLACE: We have to admit we’ve walked past In Vino Veritas loads of time and thought it was a just a wine bar. Maybe it’s because we know that the name means “in wine (there is) truth” in Latin. That’s a blag – we don’t know Latin, we just looked it up on Wikipedia. But the place looks like a wine bar if you don’t know there’s a level above and below the street. We settle in upstairs into the cute little bistro and soak up the Gallic feel.
THE MEAL: The best thing about reviewing posh restaurants is that by the time you’ve said what you ate half the review is filled. So we tuck into pan fried mackerel with vegetable stir fry, pommes croquettes and sauce vierge (£11.75) which is fresh and crisp all round. The braised lamb shanks with buttered mash potatoes and bourguignon garnish (£14.35) was tender in rich gravy but the highlight was the cute, tiny onions. That would be enough, but we chose to start with a baby food-like (in a good way) butternut squash soup and homemade bread (£4.25) and some delicately arranged seared scallops with fried new potatoes and rosemary and a creamy duglere sauce (£7.85). Oh yeah, and we finished with chocolate and walnut brownie with vanilla ice cream (£5.25) and strawberry torte with red fruit coulis, rhubarb and strawberry sorbet (£5.50). And there, we’ve run out of room. In the review and in our tummies.
THE VERDICT: We really know we’ve been to In Vino Veritas. For a start we’re stuffed, noticeably heavier for all the opulent food. Luckily our wallets are lighter to balance things out. But that’s not to say that IVV is overpriced – we know there are loads of restaurants knocking out grub of this richness for heart attack-inducing prices. So, a full-on restaurant experience and a fair wedge.
WERE WE SUSSED: Oh god yes. So badly. The couple next to us actually straight up asked us what magazine we were writing for. The waiter didn’t say anything but he must have known. Must try harder next time.
In Vino Veritas has since closed.
103 North Road
01273 622 522
Food 12pm -10.30pm
