Cecilia L.
Yelp
Quick glance:
+ great selection of wine and tapas
+ fantastic atmosphere for intimate catch-ups
+ staff with good knowledge of wine...
- ... but could do with being more engaging with advice
- slightly tricky to locate for first-timers
Full review:
This particular joint is located in Maltby Street Market, converted from previously unused space under railway arches on this road. 40 Maltby Street is a gergovie wine merchant, but on select evenings it also doubles up as a tapas bar serving up a wide selection of wine by the glass, as well as by bottle, and decent food. Check their website to confirm opening times.
For first-timers to Maltby Street, the location could be slightly tricky to find, so remember you are looking for the railway line.
Other than that, the venue itself is superb for a intimate catch up with your special ones or with a close friend. The venue isn't very big and there is no reservation, so arrive early and grab yourself an area.
There are bar stools and high tables, so it may not be as comfortable for some, but I personally found the ambiance and noise level (or lack thereof - no blaring music and you can't really hear the rumble of the train) to be perfect for an evening catch up. In fact, the bar stools were pretty comfortable too!
The staff was, unsurprisingly for a wine bar, knowledgeable about the wine on offer, although some could be more attentive to customer's needs. This particular chap recommended us a white wine because we were having scallops to start, which on a wine-pairing basis was sound advice. However, my friend prefers deep, peppery red wine and told him as much, particularly as we were having stronger flavours for other courses, but instead he recommended us light, fruity red wine which, while perfectly palatable, left my friend slightly disappointed.
Overall, though, 40 Maltby Street is a great place for some nibbles, good wine, and long catch-ups.