RESTAURANTS
“ The Rothschilds and the Sandemans were neighbours in St . Swithin ’ s Lane from 1809 until the 1967 , when the Sandeman moved to larger premises . To mark this long association , we have a highlighted selection from the Rothschild wine estates around the world , including , of course , Chateau Lafite in Bordeaux ,” says General Manger Peter Horton .
The Don ’ s head chef , Toby Lever , formerly of Lutyens , has developed a modern European menu that is based on seasonal ingredients “ that haven ’ t been mucked about with ,” explains Horton .
“ The simplicity and quality of the food is important , given the complexity of the wine ,” says Horton . The wine list , which focuses on Italy , France and Iberia , has over 600 wines that have been selected by Head Sommelier Max Cohn and David Gleave MW ( chairman and founder of Liberty Wines ). The Port list includes wines from all the major Port houses , as it is Horton ’ s aim to mark the return of Sandeman to the City by making The Don a meeting point for the UK Port shippers .
The Don has used Champagne expert Simon Stockton to compile a list that includes what he calls ‘ the usual suspects ’ with a wider range of well and lesser-known Champagnes . Paying homage to George Sandeman ’ s Scottish birth , The Don has done with whisky what it has done with Champagne , offering a whisky list that reflects the current excitement of this sector , with grand old names like Macallan rubbing shoulders with newcomers like Ardnamurchan .
In 1790 , a 25 year-old George Sandeman set up as a wine merchant on Birchin Lane , importing Ports and Sherries from Portugal and Spain . Sandeman moved the business to St Swithins Lane in 1805 as the cellars were ideal for ageing and storing the wines , and were easily accessed by an underground passage from the Thames . The barrels were rolled off the ships - which were moored on the Thames near where Cannon Street Station stands today - and up the passage to the cellars .
These cellars now offer some of the City ’ s finest sites for private dining . There is a wonderful heritage dining room for up to 16 people called the Sandeman Room , as well as the old Barrel Cellar , which offers one of the largest private dining spaces in the City .
The Don will be open for lunch and dinner , Tuesday to Fridays from 12pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm .
The Don 19-23 St Swithins Lane , London , EC4N 8AD 020 7621 1148 Disclaimer – new and correct website is www . sandemanquarter . com / the-don Instagram @ Thedonlondon
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