Wine Bar: The Providores

The Providores
109 Marylebone High Street
W1U 4RX
Tel: 020 7935 6175

Date of Visit: Saturday, June 26, 2004. 3 to 6 p.m.

I think I'll come here all the time. This was a totally random visit. I went to get my nails done at Scarlet at 38 Marylebone High Street with ConAnn. Connie met us there, but didn't get a manicure.

We left Scarlet in search of some afternoon chardonnay, when who should we run into but Brett, who I really don't know, but I've seen his name on e-mails. So Brett says if we want some wine, we should go to The Providores. So we go. And it's so cute.

It's very small--maybe 35 people can fit tops. About 1/3 of the seating is at tall tables, while the rest is banquets against the wall, and there are a couple of seats looking out onto the street. It was packed the entire three hours that we were there. Not so packed that it was obnoxious though.

What I liked best was that people came in by themselves with a book or a journal and sat for a while with a drink or three and just did their own thing. That was nice.

We had some Sancerre and then I had a New Zealand Pinot Noir. The we eventually ordered some edamame and I had a green salad. Connie had some noodle soup that looked absolutely delicious and it must have been because she cleaned her bowl.

Service was super-friendly, and they get super points for the high quality toiletry products in the unisex toilet on the second floor. The menu we saw was tapas oriented. Lots of little nibbles. A cookbook is available for sale. Interesting! The wine list was completely New Zealand focused, and you know I love my NZ Sauvignon Blanc, so this is all a subtlety big sign that I am totally in the right place at the right time!

Also, must give the music some snaps. It was fantastic--very varied and upbeat and non-intrusive, but when you listened, you were like, hey, this is good music!

The Verdict: Perfect date place, great for girls getting together, fun for anytime you want to just hang and be yourself and have tasty food and lots of wine in a congenial environment.