The only stable we’ll be visiting religiously
Stable Wines, located in Islington, is a seriously cool wine shop occupying a slightly random little space on Essex Road , which, in its last life, was a donut shop we don’t think we ever saw open. But all is not what it looks like from street level. Head downstairs and you’ll find a huge basement that was once an old bank – some of the doors are still there. What used to be the gold bullion room is now a cosy space with a big shared table, surrounded by a circular wine wall, vaguely reminiscent of an underground gambling den (or maybe that’s just us).
It shares DNA with its sister sites Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery: excellent wines, a short, sharp menu of wine bar dishes and plenty of hype, so expect the possibility of a queue. You can book for tables of six and above; otherwise, it’s walk-in only.
Eat This
The short menu changes often. When we visited, highlights included Guinness rarebit oysters, raw beef on fried potato soliders, a tomato tartine with wigmore and bottarga and a whole fried wheel of Mont D’Or. There’s just one dessert, and if the chocolate mousse is on, then it’s well worth an order. You’ll also find the cult Goodbye Horses cheese toastie – perfect wine bar fodder alongside a good glass or five.
Drink This
These guys know their low-intervention wines, with plenty by the glass and bottles priced at retail plus a £20 corkage. Frankly, wine is the only thing you should be drinking here. From crisp pét-nats to skin-contact oranges and chilled reds, this place has them all.
Why Go
These guys really do know their shit. It’s a sexy, candlelit drinking den, with excellent wines and snacks to keep you sated – the kind of place you go for one glass and end up rolling out at closing time. Word has already got around though; it was busy when we visited, with wise men and women getting to the Stable first. Let’s just hope there’s room at the inn, with plenty of space for walk-ins.
Key Information
Address | 344a Essex Rd, London N1 3PD
For more information | @stablewines
