A Slavic-inspired wine and listening bar serving East European-style sharing plates has opened this week in Notting Hill. Called Sova – ‘owl’ in several Slavic languages – it is from the team behind Russian restaurant Zima in Soho, and replaces their year-old Notting Hill offshoot.
A wine list from consultant sommelier Christian Vega focuses on low-intervention and skin-contact wines from central and eastern Europe, Georgia and Armenia, augmented by a selection of French Champagnes and a short list of cocktails, beers and sparkling teas. There are a dozen wines from Ukraine, but none from Russia.
Zima was founded 10 years ago by Alexei Zimin, a Russian journalist, TV personality and chef who was an outspoken critic of his country’s invasion of Ukraine. He died two years ago.
Moldovan chef Denis Calmis has created a menu of dishes to accompany the wines, including the likes of Beef tartare on Borodinsky bread with horseradish mayonnaise; Whisky & honey–roasted baby chicken with green salsa; Sour cherry & buckwheat crumble with cream and a selection of Slavic cheeses.
Guest DJs will be on hand to provide a suitable vinyl-sourced soundtrack. Sova is open until 11pm from Wednesday-Saturday, and 9pm on Sunday.