A virtuoso of the corkscrew (George V, Fat Duck in London), Alexandre Dulière has served more than one famous individual (Robert DeNiro and Queen Elizabeth II, just to name a few…). Back in France since 2019, he’s waking up palates in the Berry region at his stylish wine bar with a cozy atmosphere (a wooden bar, 1950s furniture, blue-grey walls, Scandinavian design posters). Explore the stunning selection of over a thousand bottles of wine, served by the endlessly chatty owner himself, alongside small plates composed of beautiful ingredients: speck from Piedmont, fennel salami, seaweed salad from the Île de Groix, lovely homemade terrine, delicious goat cheeses from Vierzon or Salers cheese from Leymoine. // Thomas Jossin

FEELING THIRSTY? There’s an encyclopedic selection of fine beverages that includes some striking Armenian wines, Indian whiskey and craft Canadian beers. Up for grabs the day we went: a Piedmont red from the Sottimano Winery (€7 a glass), an insanely elegant German Riesling from Wittmann Estates (€45 a bottle), Jour de Soif, a respectable Bourgueil from the Domaine Bel Air (€28)… along with some great vintages (a 1997 Romanée Conti, a 1989 Château Latour).
PRICE: Tapas €6-14, platters €10-12.