In the shadow of the grandiose Southwark Cathedral is this intimate French wine bar, dishing up irresistible fromage and keeping its clientele well topped-up.

The Venue
Walking through the poetic, cobblestoned corner behind Borough Market towards La Cave, and sitting next to the ancient, historical cathedral, is like stepping back in time to a century when paupers and prostitutes loitered in this darkened corner of London. Thankfully, time has been kind to the area and it is now one of the nicest areas of London to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Secluded and romantic, La Cave is truly an endearing little wine den. Inside, you’ll find cushioned rattan furniture, and low polished tables against uplit terracotta walls in a small rectangular room that makes up the small bar area. At the end of the bar, an archway frames a separate little hideaway flanked with couches, perfect for a chatty group. Next door is the small, dimly lit restaurant and outside, smokers and those wanting to get more of a Parisian feel, gather on a terrace beneath a tented canopy on rickety benches.

The Atmosphere
Romantic and relaxed, La Cave is the perfect place to curl up with a globulous glass of red and some charcuterie for an intimate tete-a-tete. If there’s more than 4 or 5 of you, you may have trouble squeezing around the small tables so little groups of friends are best suited. It’s cosy and friendly, with relaxed clientele of all ages looking for a quiet place to unwind rather than a rambunctious night out, and you’ll often find groups sitting for hours over a few bottles and nibbles.

The Drink
Browsing through the wine list at La Cave is a treat for lovers of the grape. The list has been expertly created by the resident sommeliers and there are tipples for every budget, from good-value drops to premium wines and Champagne at eye-watering prices, as well as a wide range of grapes, blends and vintages. There is a separate list of wines by the glass (large or small, at least ten choices per colour) and wines by the bottle. Wines by the glass start from £4 for a glass/£15 for a bottle, for the Cuvee Jean-Paul house blends – a fresh and fruity blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc in the white and a classic, medium-bodied Syrah/Grenache blend from the lauded Rhone valley in the red.

If you’re looking beyond the house, the rest of the wine list is divided into alphabetised grapes, featuring mostly French tipples mixed in with new world wines. The daddy of white grapes, Chardonnay, is prominent with over nine choices by the bottle, most hailing from their spiritual home of Burgundy. Amongst the usual suspects, the red list also features grapes not oft seen in your everyday bar – Gamay, Grenache Noir and the Portguese Baga amongst others – with prices that go up to £208 per bottle for a Pinot Noir from Pommard in Burgundy. Rose is shunned on the list, with only one choice available.

Should you dare stray from wines, there are beers (Kronenbourg, Stella and the tequila-flavoured Desperadoes) at £3.50, as well as a standard selection of spirits, aperitifs, juices and soft drinks.

The food
If the wine isn’t enough to take you there, you’ll be transported over the Channel as soon as you tuck into one of the selections of mouth-watering French cheeses, dished up with slices of crunchy baguettes by waitresses with thick French accents. There is always a wide selection of gourmand fromage to choose from, great value at £6.95 for generous servings of 5 cheeses and £7.95 for 7 (the staff are happy to help you make a selection from the blackboard). Modern French tapas are ideal for accompanying a bottle, with saucissons, snails, olives and rillettes and a wide range of authentic sweet and savoury bites on offer. You can balance a salty duo of black olive and red pepper tapenade (£5) with a delicate treat like caramelised foie gras on toast with apple chutney (£7) and lots of other delicious combos.

The a la carte menu is served in the restaurant and consists of upmarket modern French cuisine. Unique, decadent dishes like roasted wild sea bass pave with onions, chutney and walnut caramel (£18.50) and rabbit saddle with basil and plum chutney, use fresh, seasonal ingredients and guarantee a decadent dinner.

The Last Word
On their wine menu, La Cave quotes Benjamin Franklin as saying: ‘Wine is constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy’ and, at La Cave, you can raise a toast to those wise words while enjoying a bar with gallons of Gallic charm.

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