Vinothec Compass - Greenwich

The sounds of the mix of golf and gastronomy seemed like a brilliant idea and it was. I've never exchanged a golf club before and the catastrophic thought my first hit missed me. I'm not the most athletic person, and fortunately no one laughed at me because I hit all the balls in the right direction and distance. before we need food.

Baby squid, tomato and coriander with Chateau Burgozone 2012, Bulgaria (Chardonnay) – The squid was amazing! With the tomato it looked a little watery, but it was a damn fine tomato. The wine served went quite well with the squid but secretly, I much preferred the Pol Roger. smoked trout salad with Volubilia 2013, Morocco (Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Vin Gris) rose – The wine was smoky and complimented the saltiness of the olives very well. suckling pig, piquillo with Couvent des Jacobins 2005, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) – the suckling pig was beautifully seasoned and cooked and I wished it had a little more on the plate to really appreciate the...read more

Realising that one of the better meals served to me this year and the best wine list I’ve come across in London in quite a long while both happened to be on offer at a new golf range in North Greenwich really threw me for a loop. But hey, I’m apt to take a swing at virtually any possibility if there’s the promise of great food and drink. Accepting an invitation to what seemed like a long shot – an evening of “Terroir and Turf” at Vinotech Compass at Peninsular Golf Range – turned out to be an ace culinary experience that’s easy to recommend and one that I hope to repeat soon.

Ever since I started writing about gastronomy (roughly three years ago), I’ve become obsessed with not just the food itself – but also everything that comes with it. From the lavish dining rooms, the service, presentation and the accolades that follow such as Michelin stars. Most importantly for me however is the experience that dining out can offer and an unusual dining experience is always top fo my list. I’ve dined at a restaurant hanging from a crane above London, high-rise dining in Brussels and enjoyed a Michelin star-studded experience quite literally on a football pitch in Eindhoven. So when I got an email with an invite to dine in a new restaurant looking out over a new...read more

The last time I tried swinging a golf club was some twenty years ago as part of my MBA. Whether our Course Director had a sense of humour or seriously believed that all MBA graduates needed to be able to play golf I still don’t know. Thankfully there was no exam to pass or I might have failed the entire course. I have to admit to cheating a bit when I was invited to Vinothec Compass and wearing heels totally unsuitable for the preliminary golf activities. If I AM going to try again, it will be when no-one else is around.