Vinopolis

I went as part of a corporate function. Lovely venue, despite the rumbling train sounds. Lunch was appaling. I queued for 45 minutes but trhere was no food left for 20 of us. The catering manager kept moaning about how greedy people were and said she'd send out for sandwiches. An hour later, with severe hypoglaucemia, I asked if I could just have some bread or a piece of fruit. She moaned again about people being greedy and she would have to go round the building to find the trolley with sandwiches. I went down the road to the market and had lovely food. Missed a lot of the conference but I can recommend the market.

Unfortunately I feel Vinopolis represents much of what is wrong with many London attractions today- overpriced, cynical and ill-executed. I have been twice- once more than 2 years ago- and on that visit there was clear signage so you knew where to go, there was a beers section (now gone) and a staffed Absinthe table (now gone- although the table remains there unused and you're directed to the bar) and there were more staff and more wines to choose from. I re-visited on Friday 2nd Oct. The idea is well conceived but it feels tired and grubby and I agree with the other reviewer regarding the dirty trellis tables set up with cheap downloaded flags on them in front of a selection of wine. You don't know anything, the staff don't really know anything and the place is cluttered with corporate adverts for Tio Pepe and the like. The Bombay Sapphire bar feels like a welcome distraction and has a lovely table of ingredients and a collection of unusual contemporary Martini glasses, but even here there's a lack of focus and professionalism. Lean over the lovely doughnut-shaped table to smell ingredients like juniper berries and all you can see is a huge filthy unit for plugs in the middle of the floor which looks like the cleaners can't be bothered to reach.

The cost is an issue too; we paid half price (£10) and got 5 very small wine samples (I suspect it's about 15-20ml) and one very small Bombay Sapphire Cocktail. If we had paid £20 I would have been livid. I don't know what's happened at this place in the last couple of years- it's as if they lost a decent manager or the focus and energy has all been spent on building up the great looking bar and restaurant next door.

Avoid at all costs. If you like wine, go to the Cork & Bottle at Leicester Square or Vivat Bacchus instead.