Reviews of Ex Cellar

Lovely relaxed atmosphere, bottle of red, tapas to share. All the tapas was delicious and we asked for wine recommendation which went so well with the food. Nothing was too much trouble and we weren't rushed in anyway. Also got some advice on wine for a dish that is being cooked on the weekend. So bought a bottle to take home too. If you want a relaxed environment to enjoy a bottle of wine and nibbles with friends/partner then would highly recommend you book.

This is NOT a French Café/épicerie as advertised - It’s an Italian one<br/>We were walking around Surbiton the other day and decided to go in. Note: the name on the door was “Le Café du Vin “,But it is the same place from what I can see.<br/>Regardless, the place is listed as being a French bar/café.<br/>We were lured in because we wanted to get something French. (I’m French so I fancied a bit of French food for a change) … Only the whole Menu was Italian, with a bit of Spanish thrown in! Not one thing on the Menu was French. At all. Maybe the toasts and jam? There were no pastries left when we arrived.<br/>Don’t get me wrong: I love Italian food and Spanish food (I’m half Spanish after all) but why advertise this as being a French place and put a French name on the door when there is nothing French about it…aside from the wines on sale, maybe? Even so, one would expect that if the all the wines were French, so would be the food.. Nope. Even the jars of foods (olives etc..) on the shelves were Italian/Spanish. <br/>Shame really. In South East France (Provence, Cote D’Azur) there are also plenty of Mediterranean dishes with olive oil, tomatoes, peppers, fish etc. such as Pissaladière (Type of Pizza without a tomato base : only onions and anchovies), Pan Bagnat (bread roll filled with Salade Niçoise) , Pistou (similar to Italian Pesto) soup, Bouillabesse, Ratatouille etc.. . This means they could still keep the French name “Café du Vin” and serve Mediterranean food if that’s what they want to do. France is a big country with very different cuisines depending on where you go. It’s not all butter and cream .<br/>Food was OK/Average. Nothing to write about but we were especially disappointed because it was not what we expected initially and we didn’t want to drive somewhere else again so we stayed put.<br/>What about renaming the place “CANTINA ITALIANA” and advertising it as an Italian type place which is what it is, kind of? At least there won’t be any confusion … <br/>

I had the eggs Benedict. The eggs were done perfectly and hollandaise tasted great. But why couldn't you just have given me a couple more slices of ham? There was literally one thin slice about 4cm in diameter. Instead of feeling satisfied from what was a decent brunch I leave feeling a little miffed 🤷🏻

Come here all the time for a coffee and to bring my laptop to work in. Very friendly staff with a massive array of wines and a real sun trap on the tables out the front. My only complaint would be the cheese and onion toasty that I got a few weeks ago that was 90% caramelised onion and 10% cheese which when I mentioned to the waiter I was told that the kitchen was “running out of cheese”. Not the end of the world but they could have just run over the road to the sainsburys and bought some more if that short rather than serving it like this! A mild complaint in an otherwise brilliant place.

Got sick of cramped conditions and hot drinks machines that make more noise than a Victorian steam engine, so I tried this place...what a revelation great food and wonderful kind patient staff. Loads of space to move and sit; no blaring music like Costabucks. Good location on the high street...will be back

According to Ex Cellar's website, they are a 'French style epicerie'.  I'm not sure what one of those is, but if it is the kitchen of your favourite Aunt, you know, the one where you can turn up unannounced and within a few minutes be tucking into some delicious food, then Ex Cellar in Surbiton have got it just right.<br/>Ex Cellar is a lovely relaxed place to go and get some food. The menu is small but perfectly formed. The quality is top notch and you can buy and take home ingredients from the deli.  Being a wine shop, it's not surprising that you'll have no problem in finding a nice bottle to have with your meal.<br/><br/>The service and ambience is relaxed and really friendly. just like your Aunt's kitchen!<br/><br/>It's open late on a Friday and Saturday evening and I think is the perfect antidote to the week.