ExCellar — Restaurant in London

Jazz Sessions ExCellar Wine Merchants - 28 February

Simon Baile has a growing reputation across Surrey for promoting high quality live music at his 2 thriving ExCellar sites.

Simon is a genuine music lover and if you ask him he will admit first and foremost he is a Jazz fiend. I think inside he is actually a frustrated Jazz musician. Much like me really as a frustrated rock star.

Last year Simon took the plunge and decided to put on live Jazz sessions at the Kingston venue and the big question was; would the people come? The resounding answer is yes and now these gigs become sell outs and latterly Simon has a waiting list.

Not only that but the word is spreading and Jazz musicians themselves are wanting an invite to perform here and that is because it is just such an incredible venue with an intimate Jazz club vibe. Then with Simon’s non negotiable house rule of; you can talk before the gig, talk during the interval and talk after the gig but zip it when the artists are performing. This actually cuts both ways as it is respectful to the artists and for the audience it really does enhance the experience.

Other musos may want a slice of the pie but options will be limited all the time the ‘house band’ of Pete Roth a sublime guitarist and bass maestro Stefan Redtenbacher want the gig because they are superb individually and as a duo, they have a musical telepathy.

The guys are obviously well connected in the Jazz community so they always invite special guests to build the sound and tonight we had the treat of Saxophonist Rob Fowler and drummer Matt Home.

The gig comprised two super sets and the music spanned the Jazz genre from fluid flowing instrumentation to laid back languid lines with smooth instrumentation, atmospheric Jazz balladry and a rare but vivid addition, some Latino style Jazz.

I always associate a Saxophonist with Jazz and Rob was the perfect guest as he flooded out pathways of evocative sounds that floated on the air. Matt’s drumming style was loose, free flowing and vibrant.

Pete and Stefan did what they always do, which is dial in with their guests and make terrific music. Pete’s touch and tone is masterful and deeply melodic. Stefan is the ‘Ace of Bass’ and he creates rich deep bass lines that joins the band together. The two improvised superbly with Rob and Matt.

Another triumph of a night and Martin and I are indebted to Simon, the 4 artists that entertained us and Simon’s team that worked so hard...

Created to serve the finest wines to the discerning drinkers of Surbiton (as the name might suggest), this place has branched out (probably through necessity) and now services your usual array of coffees and a range of fine food. Things to talk about? Firstly, the look and location. They've done a pretty fine job of designing a nice, pretty swanky dare I say 'bijou' interior. It's a nice place to sit with windows along all the walls letting in buckets of light and allowing the seated to view the passing world; this is the second thing worth noting. Sadly there isn't much to look at! We've the YMCA along the high street and in the other direction it's the KFC. Aside from that, there's a busy road junction. It's obviously not their fault, they'd much rather be at the other end of the high street nearer the train station, which would provide a nicer view and attract more passing custom; as it is this place is like a jewel surrounded by muck. The place itself offers some posh-nosh, plenty of fine meats, olives and olive oils, many if not all available for purchase to take home as well. As one can guess, the prices aren't the cheapest and reflect the 'fine' quality of what is on offer. That being said, despite the prices being high the quality isn't incredibly. Not amazing food by any means but.. fine. The service also leaves much to be desired, they don't seem especially keen to serve, one of those places where you almost feel like you're bothering the staff when you want to place an order. All said, it's good it exists, it's nice to visit once in a while for a change and there's nothing else like this (down this end of...

Visited here for linch with a friend last week. Seating was sparce because many of the tables are large (searing for