When you see a pop-up event being put on by The Chef’s Table and Covino at the latter’s new Northgate St. location, it doesn’t take much encouragement to get booked in…
After 5 years of love and dedication building the Chef’s Table, they’ve taken a step outside. From February 2019, the multi-award winning restaurant will now be able to cater your event, whether it’s unique dinner party, corporate reception or a wedding feast, Chef’s Table events will be able to help.
Covino started off in Rufus Court and have now moved to a much larger premises on the up and coming Northgate St, serving a unique selection of wines, cocktails and small plates.
So, onto the night
The theme is French. What can we say – 7 courses with wine to match hosted at Covino Chester’s new premises and cooked by the Chef’s Table.
Welcomed straight away with a clarified quince and calvados cocktail and taken to our seats, the atmosphere was full of excitement among all the foodies, and we couldn’t wait to get started.
Roquefort gourgères (savoury cheese puffs) were served with our cocktails, followed by Coquilles St Jacques – scallop gratin in a creamy, white-wine sauce topped with parsley breadcrumbs – a firm favourite of anyone who loves French cuisine.
Chris from Covino then introduced us to the first wine of the evening: Landon Chartier, Domaine Muscadet 2017, from the Loire Valley.
Frog’s legs, snails and oxtails
This French classic was served with the perfectly matched La Dernière Goutte, ‘Sang Neuf’ 2017, Beaujolais. This course caused quite a stir in the room as it wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but most people agreed it was stunning.
It’s not every day you get your food given to you in a paper bag, but this is food from an award-winning restaurant, and nothing should surprise you. Sole en papillote a (packet, a parcel, a papillote – an elegant envelope with supper inside) served with a Domaine Rietch, ‘Entre Chien et Loup’ 2016 from Alsace, France was next.
So, 4 courses down, 3 to go. Phew. Could we keep going? Yes, we could, once we saw the duck breast and foie gras a l’orange arrive. This was spectacular. Especially with the superb wine choice of Balazu des Vaussieres, ‘Cuvée dent Lion 2013 from Tavel. We were hooked.
Don’t forget the cheese
The French do cheese differently to us Brits. And after sampling the finest selection of cheeses offered, with a glass of Mas Lau, ‘Clin d’Oeil’ 2015 (the Languedoc was so good,) you’d have to say the French do it best.
There’s always room for a pud
The Flambée apple tartin had caught our eye all night, so we just had to dive in. It was AMAZING and the accompanying burnt cardamom fizz helped wash it down a treat.
The whole night was as good as you’d expect from 2 of Chester’s finest indie restaurants and wine bars, plus so much more.
Thanks, guys, for a wonderful evening.
To try it for yourself, visit the Covino website here
For Chef’s Table events, use this link