Vivat Bacchus Farringdon

“Consistently good” is one regular’s verdict on this huge venue devoted to South African-accented wine and food (in that order). After more than a decade in business, Vivat Bacchus has entered a new phase, with the basement dining room now converted into a private space and more emphasis on the posh old-school wine bar. This animated arena tells two stories: the ‘walk-in' cheese room and vast Champagne fridge speak of flush epicurean punters, while blackboard promotions suggest workaday business dates. Open sandwiches and kangaroo burgers are always popular, but readers have also praised the healthy ‘five a day’ salads and “fantastic” BBQ short-rib with Coca Cola glaze, blossom honey, star anise, stem ginger and Asian slaw; after that, perhaps try mango pannacotta with vanilla and passion fruit. Bacchus himself would no doubt be impressed by VB's cellars holding over 18,000 bottles.