The Chef's Table at The Montagu - 'Tried & Tested' Reader Event Feature

Venue Review of The Chef's Table at The Montagu - 'Tried & Tested' Reader Event Feature

An invitation to dine at a chef’s table is always a treat, but when you’ve got a front-row seat overlooking the kitchen and the best table in the dining room all rolled into one, it becomes a bona fide VIP experience. The chef’s table at the Montagu, The Churchill’s more relaxed alternative to Locanda Locatelli, is a gem. No awkward alcoves or glass walls here; the roomy table takes pride of place in the handsome restaurant with uninterrupted views of the kitchen action, starring chef de cuisine Carlos Teixeira and a brigade of six. With seven courses on offer, we’d been warned to skip the 4pm biscuits, but the measured pace and restrained portion size of the courses, which kicked off with a beautifully light oyster tartare with a barely-there celeriac purée and vintage Champagne, ensured we didn’t feel overindulged until pudding (mercifully, singular). Highlights included a lightly caramelised foie gras terrine with candy pistachios and a pitch-perfect demi-sec Champagne as well as a simply grilled Dover sole meunière, served just so with a glass of Gavi di Gavi. Chef is joined by his enthusiastic sommelier, who introduces each showstopping wine match at the beginning of every course. The passion of our hosts is truly infectious and guests are soon weighing in with questions about the food and wine and what’s going on in the kitchen. Who said learning wasn’t fun?