Drinks in London’s West End rarely come cheap. Even less so in the crowded environs of Leicester Square, but if you find yourself in the area, there’s a quiet, reasonably priced refuge known as the Cork and Bottle. It’s a basement level wine bar, and most people walk straight past its frontage (between a ticket agency and a pizza stall) without even noticing it. Down its metal spiral staircase, the cosy bar serves a great list of wines from around $5.50 a glass (as well as by the carafe and the bottle), and alongside an interesting menu it does a fabulous cheese platter (your choice from an extensive selection).
