Vats Wine Bar

Eighties throwback!!! Vats looks like a cross between the set of ‘Allo ‘Allo and the wine bar in Only Fools and Horses. (Complete with attractive waitresses, slightly brash business types at the bar and a retro Panasonic plastic phone on the wall that’s still going strong!).
What can I say?!
Good wine by the glass, if rather dear. We only came for a couple of drinks but I’m minded to return for a meal, not only for the amusement factor, but also because the food coming out looked rather decent.

When I had the opportunity to come to Vats for a school event, I was really excited, because it’s been on my list for ages, and every time I walk home with my friend, we pass it on the way to his place.
Having been in, I can see that there are some charming things about Vats, but it just didn’t strike my fancy the way I hoped it would. My group was tucked away in the back of the restaurant, down the stairs, which is quite alright but felt quite isolated, as there wasn’t really anyone else around.
We had decent service, being that we were the only ones in the area, but it wasn’t particularly warm or welcoming. Additionally, the appetizers that we ordered were nice, certainly well-​suited to wine, but nothing that really helps Vats stand out in my mind.
I don’t normally frequent wine bars, and it’s probably because there’s something about them that just doesn’t make me get really excited. Vats is nice, please don’t get me wrong. It just wasn’t my style. They do have a lovely location on Lambs Conduit though, in such a charming little area.

Can’t talk price as this is one of those places where it was paid for and it was ordered for us.
The wine list was pretty big and they had some really great French wines. Kind Staff which is always nice. The place is much bigger than it looks on the outside. I think it may even have an upstairs.
The food was pretty decent as well. I remember being hungry, and it was free so it always makes food taste better ya know?

Wow!
This place is the epitome of the argument for adding a 6^th star to the review rating, but I’m getting ahead of myself…
Vats is a beautiful pub in posh Bloomsbury, it’s very classically decorated and has a great provincial French feel to it. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and the atmosphere was perfect; busy but not loud, vibrant yet relaxed, jubilant but not raucous.
Then came the main event, the food! I only ordered a starter as I was there for a function which had food provided. Then i saw they had pigeon beast and terrine of frois gras all bets were off! My only regret was not getting a copy of the menu.
I’m going back there to eat again. a lot!
The menu was that of a tidy French Bistro but at pub prices (Between £8 and £15 for a main and £6 and £10 for starter) ok top end pub prices but still.
The food was presented like the rest of the venue, simply yet beautifully.
I could easily go on about Vats but instead I’ll summarise;
The only way this place could be any better is if it had tits and was on fire!

Wonderful if slightly pricey food. We stopped in for a late dinner one Friday evening; I started with a chilled asparagus soup and my girlfriend had tomato soup; both were excellent. The best part, by far, was the «Charcuterie Board» that we split for the main course, which had ham, salami, prosciutto, cheese, crusty bread, and the best, smoothest, richest, most wonderful pâté I’ve ever had in my life. All was well complimented by a slightly expensive half bottle of Pouilly-​Fumé. One hilarious but not serious drawback to the place — whose décor and furnishing are, for the most part, lovely — is the tiny, TINY wrought iron spiral staircase which leads down to the bathrooms from the main dining room. Size-​wise, it belongs below decks on an Elizabethan sailing ship, not in a modern restaurant. I didn’t see any wine-​fueled tumbles down the steps, but it has to be a fairly regular occurrence. All in all, very nice place.

Update Seems a bit unfair to leave this place on three stars. I’ve been back a few times since this review and I’ve always really enjoyed it. I think some of the menu can be a bit hit and miss, but the wine and the service are exceptional. Well worth the trip. Shame my friends have moved away from the area so I won’t get to go here as often. Update
The staff at Vats are what make it really stand out. It’s not very often these days that you feel cared about by waiting staff (which is a shame). im actually inclined to think that the staff and the atmosphere was more enjoyable than the food.
There was nothing wrong with the food, it was really good. It just wasn’t anything spectacular. I have wood pigeon for the first time, but it’s certainly not their fault that I wasn’t a fan. But I wasn’t impressed by their salt and pepper squid and tht was their fault — it was cooked well, but hiding the squid under a mass of veg and beansprouts isn’t on.
As for the mains, well they seemed a lot better, although, my venison burger didn’t have a top to it — delibaretely. But I still found it strange. I did also feel that it was slightly undercooked, but as I don’t have venison everyday, I wasn’t sure. Chips were yummy and I enjoyed me meal.
I didn’t have a desert as there was nothing that blew me away on the menu, and the could have done a bit more with my friends ice cream. Instead I polished off another glass of red wine which was really lovely.
This place should be fantastic. For the area, and they money they charge you should feel excited to come here. I wasn’t bowled over by it, and it wasn’t exactly bustling for a Friday night. It was £90 for three with wine and the odd coffee and brandy. I’m not sure it was worth that much and feel like we’d have got a better deal in a gastro pub.
Still great staff though.

Très bien et assez chic en son genre
Plats pas cher et surtout on peut goûter les vins en verre avant de commander, extra surtout pour ceux qui aiment le bordeaux. Par contre le restaurant ferme à 21h30 donc allez y tôt.