I like mine medium rare

Occasionally someone in this world surpises me. Half-way through my perfectly prepared medium-rare rump steak the restaurant manager noticed that my glass of 2009 Cefiro Casablanca Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile was empty. He came over to ask if I'd like another wine and if he could recommend something different.

Back he came with two tasters... a little 2010 VdP Maurel Verdeau Pinot Noir from France and a little Pulenta La Flor Malbec 2010 from Argentina. I thought the Malbec was a little thin, but loved the cherry notes in the Pinot Noir so I chose the former.

Five minutes later, the manager was back... this time with a bottle of wine! I had barely taken a sip of my Pinot Noir, but "this wine" is his favourite off the wine list and I simply must try it - even though it wasn't available by the glass. So, onto the Italian wine we went... to the 2008 Allegrini La Grola from Veneto. It was bigger and bolder than I was expecting although I am not much good with my Italians. Was that a hint of coffee? My brother sighed and took a sip of his Bitburger Premium Pilsner Draught. All this wine talk was distracting us from our steaks and him from his beer!

But how nice it was to have an enthusiastic restaurant manager, who takes pleasure in the food and wine he serves and shares that with his guests... I was and am impressed.

http://www.thebutcherandgrill.com/wimbledon

To top it off our meals were faultless and we had a lovely evening, catching up and enjoying a good glass (or two) of wine on a cold winter's night. I will certainly recommend you try The Butcher & Grill in Wimbledon Village SW19, and form your own opinion.