The Fentiman Arms, Kennington

We just moved into the area and decided to have a nightcap at the Fentiman Arms. We arrived around 9:30pm. The bar was warm and cheery although it smelled strongly of fish, the plat du jour. We ordered 2 glasses of the recommended house red wine which was undrinkable. Sharp and acidic, no body flavour or nose to speak of and at 6 quid a glass not cheap either. We complained about the wine and the manager, a cheery chap with his shirt and stomach hanging out said "oh really?!?" and offered to change them for us. He then plonked two glasses on our table, without telling us what they were and walked off with our originals. These two glasses of wine tasted just as bad and I then ordered a beer. The manager passed the table several times without once enquiring if the wine was better. Eventually I asked what wine it was, and was told it was a 2003 Bordeaux. As a wine connoisseur I find this hard to believe, and when I explained it was just as undrinkable I was met with yet another impertinent and arrogant "oh really?!?". We then abandoned our drinks and told the manager we would never return and were met with yet another "oh really?!?". I'm disgusted at the service and thievery but if you want to escape the economic downturn - just head to Fentiman Arms in Vauxhall - they haven't heard of it down there.

13 Nov 2008 23:11