There are a few reasons to visit The Fat Pony. If you could live on cheese and cured meats like me you’d be pleased to choose your own selection. The decor is rather lovely: plush and stylish with a relaxed vibe, what’s not to like? I’ll tell you what: the bar stools which are not for the bony of ass. Is being comfortable unfashionable these days? Have I missed the memo? This trend began when eateries started favouring church pews as an acceptable form of seating. The irony is that you’d have a more comfortable seat at Sunday service
that a Friday night piss up. Why should church be comfy anyway? Im my day church was about misery, boredom and feeling terrible about yourself. This used to drive you to drink, which was once the natural and accepted way of things.
I will forgive the seating as I enjoyed everything else and my main reason for visiting The Fat Pony was to catch up with my favourite wine guru, Matt Jackson. “How can someone with your wine consumption have a ‘favourite’?” my mother asks me? “Surely you must be loyal to many?”
Matt first came to my attention when he managed the Oddbins on Elm Row. Being a fairly down to earth booze shopper I was always impressed with his enthusiastic and encouraging approach to finding just what you might not have known you wanted. Matt is just the sort of chap you need running things and in the food and drink industry he’s definitely going places!
So Matt, what sparked your first interest in wine?
I’ve been in the hospitality industry for a while, so was always exposed to wine in some degree. But it wasn’t until I did a short stint in the restaurant Castle Terrace that my interest was really piqued!
How did you go about learning more?
Lots of self study! I also put myself through my Level 2 WSET, and was lucky enough to get funding for my Level 3 while working in Oddbins.
Any tips for people wanting to expand their knowledge?
Go outside your comfort zone when drinking wine and ask your waiter or shop assistant for a recommendation! Also, don’t be afraid to say that your looking to learn more, wine geeks love talking to other wine geeks about wine!
What would your ultimate meal and wine pairings be?
Oysters and Pét-Nat
Pizza and Sangiovese
Saucisson and Syrah
Which wine shops in Edinburgh do you rate?
Cork & Cask
Henri’s Deli
Raeburn Wines
Cornelius
Also, lots of Wine Bars in Edinburgh now do off-sales, a great chance to try before you buy!
I was hugely impressed with the wine list at The Fat Pony and shall be returning soon, albeit with a cushion next time…
The Fat Pony, 47 Bread Street, EH3 9AH, 0131 229 5770
