VDB

Words: Jill Pope

VDB is a bit of a sleeper. On a side-street off the more well-trodden ‘lower’ Oberkampf, of Aux Deux Amis et al, I had been meaning to check out this open-fronted cave à vins since I noticed it open in summer 2012. Almost two years later I can’t believe it took me this long. While VDB has all the right ingredients for a tasteful local haunt, when you first walk in there is nothing particularly out of the ordinary, that is until you look at the drinks list, which has clearly been compiled by someone who cares. What is different at VDB is that whether you’re drinking beer, wine or spirits, there are plenty of unusual choices you won’t find in other places in Paris. For wine, their list contains a range of small producers including a selection from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and Argentina – a global representation very rare in this city. Beers are mostly Belgian, and even the spirits nod to the more obscure end of quality with Big Peat and Nikka whiskeys and Pusser’s Rum on offer. Owner Clément is more than ready to find something to when your whistle, and you can enjoy standard cheese and charcuterie fare while you’re at it. It’s worth noting their happy hour includes a second bottle of wine at half price. Cheers to that!

VDB
4 rue Gambey, 11^th
Hours: Tues-Sat 6pm-2am
Metro: Parmentier (3)