"Can orange wine operate as a matchmaker? Ten minutes out on Forza Wine’s South Bank terrace, featuring views of the Thames and a not insignificant amount of PDA, and we knew that the answer is a resounding yes. Above the National Theatre, it’s from the same people behind Peckham’s leading negroni, nibbles, and nice views spot. But here it channels that unique whiff of charm championed by Jeff Goldblum and Cubitts enthusiasts everywhere. And the seasonal Italian-ish small plates—mussels with 'nduja, garlicky butter beans—are the kind of thing you always think you can make at home before accidentally drowning some unsuspecting cavolo nero in Hellmann’s. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch While the sprawling alfresco terrace is where to charmingly hum Waterloo Sunset to someone you fancy, after dark the dining room is moody, broody, and importantly, buzzing. Friends on the ivy banquette sincerely cosplay as Michael Billington after a show and cultured couples nurse one last Campari spritz alongside the signature Custardo, an affogato-meets-Bird’s lovechild. Hot tip for spontaneous hot nights incoming: there's a walk-in terrace on the floor below. A reduced menu is served, but make no mistake, wherever you sit at Forza Wine, the flirting potential is endless. Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Toast, Parsley & Confit Garlic Butter There simply isn’t any way to describe this toast without using the word ‘slab’. This rich butter and great bread medley has the capacity to leave you full after approximately four bites. It’s a definite sharer and a warning for our more-is-more garlic heads: the butter is delightful but it might not pack that full-throttle garlic hit you’re looking for. Coppa & Cornichons Nothing fancy and yet, this is a ham meets gherkin one-two punch that you definitely want on your table. Bonus points if you trot out some GCSE-level French when discussing the cornichons. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Burrata Well well well, if it isn’t our dairy sweetheart in action. It's a classic that Forza Wine likes to remix with fresh, seasonal sidekicks. Our pick is the zesty lemon burrata that—in a plot twist we all probably could have predicted—is exponentially improved by more cheese, specifically nutty pecorino. Butter Beans, Mussels, Chilli, Garlic & White Wine Behold, a dish that reads like our shopping list when the weather hits a very promising 18 degrees. We’ve had better mussels in London but the creamy butter beans, combined with a tickle of heat from the chilli, is just the thing to trick your mind into thinking you don’t have a vitamin D deficiency. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Clotted Cream And Strawberry Soft Serve, Meringue Picture the ice cream man in a linen chore jacket, with a subscription to a wild rhubarb newsletter, and you’re on your way to understanding the changing soft serve at Forza Wine. We’ve tried several, including the buttery panettone soft serve and the warming spiced apple version. This unabashedly rich take on strawberries and cream really packs that centre court Wimbledon mentality and it’s one of our favourites. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Orange Wine Calling anyone who has uttered the words "I’m just not really into rosé anymore" while swirling a glass of orange, this one’s for you. Forza Wine leans in hard to orange wine with a light, entry-level funk option on tap, but our pick of the bunch is the xarel-lo, that’s a beachside peach and honey flavour party." - Heidi Lauth Beasley
