On the Saturday evening before Christmas, I went with three friends, to the Gourmet Food Kitchen at Fargo Village, in Far Gosford Street, Coventry. I had heard good reports of this unusual fine dining establishment situated in an area of the city not renowned for its culinary qualities. Being the Saturday before Christmas, the evening had a certain festive air, as the four of us joined eight other diners at the one long table in the working kitchen where the diners are very much part of the action.
This was fine dining with a difference; Tony, the chef who has worked in restaurants around the world, and his wife Debbie, who served us at the table, chatted with their guests as they continued their work preparing our food just across the counter from us, everything on show, along with an explanation of what we were about to savour.
This was one of the seven course menus that Tony prepares each week, and the delights that he had prepared for this evening were Elixir of Chicken, Parfait Raviolis, three different coloured pasta parcels floating in a delightful chicken broth which was followed by three small Stilton and Port Beignets, tiny “doughnut like balls” of exquisite flavour served with his home made Piccalilli. The Smoked Salmon which followed had been home smoked, but what made this course so special was the Horseradish Sorbet which accompanied it. A palate cleanser of Mulled Wine Granita was then served before the main course, and one of his specialities, Beef Wellington, alongside Truffled Potato Puree, Red Cabbage and a Madeira Sauce. The dessert which followed was a Rich Chocolate Tart served with Christmas Pudding Ice Cream. Coffee and Mince Pies with the chef’s own Pear and Fig Mincemeat concluded what had been an extraordinary gastronomic experience, everything cooked and served perfectly.
No doubt every diner that evening would have had a favourite course, although it is difficult to pinpoint any one item among so many delights, but for me it was the Horseradish Sorbet, at the same time hot in flavour but cold in texture, which stands out as the star of the evening.
The meal was not cheap, but quality comes at a price, and in my opinion was well worth what we paid. The restaurant itself is not licensed to sell alcohol, but diners are invited to bring their own wine or soft drinks. With good food and a glass of wine it was remarkably easy to enjoy the company of strangers and the warm hospitality of Tony and Debbie on this cold December evening.
I have already stated that this was fine dining with a difference, and maybe the clue is in the name of the establishment, which does not call itself a restaurant, but a Gourmet Food Kitchen. Here there was no pretentiousness, no snooty maître d’, just good quality food, excellently prepared and beautifully served. I have eaten in many restaurants in Coventry over the years, but I would say in one sentence, that this was most probably the best meal that I have ever eaten in a public establishment in this city.
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