FOOD + DRINK
UNCONVENTIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL , DISCOVER KENT ’ S NEW CULINARY CONCEPT
THE GASTRONOMIST , ASHFORD
DRAWN TOGETHER BY A STRONG BASQUE / CATALAN CONNECTION AND AN EVIDENT PASSION FOR GREAT DINING EXPERIENCES THAT GO BEYOND THEIR HERITAGE ROOTS , AINARA MATEU AND JOKIN ORTEGA KNEW THEY HELD THE ANSWER TO FILLING AN EVIDENT NICHE IN THE ASHFORD AND INDEED KENTISH DINING SCENE . THEY SAW NOT SIMPLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN A GREAT RESTAURANT WITH GREAT DISHES , BUT INSTEAD TO CURATE AN EXPERIENTIAL CULINARY ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER IN THE COUNTY , AND THUS THE GASTRONOMIST CLUB WAS FOUNDED . BY SAMANTHA READY
For a restaurant that is already making its fine-dining experiential mark on the Kentish dining scene just a matter of days after opening , the entrance to The Gastronomist is a somewhat modestly understated affair . The double doors , which are locked during dining service , are opened only for pre-booked guests , who arrive into a small reception area with views to the bar beyond . Welcomed either by the friendly welcoming charm of host Nina or the charismatic passion of co-founder Jokim , guests , or ‘ club ’ members if you are already ahead of the dining pack , are shown to their preordained position at the table , presented with a glass of fizz , in our case the deliciously moorish Biddenden Gribble Bridge Sparkling , and left to look on in wonder at the dining room .
As befitting a concept born out of fantastic food and drink , unrivalled atmosphere and great experiences , everything here has been curated down to the minutiae details .
The heavy floor to ceiling green drapes are discreetly closed once all diners have arrived , subtly encapsulating guests into the dining room . The walls are adjourned with specially commissioned artwork , currently Taupadek “ Heartbeat ” by international artist Zita Ayala , the backlit , soft textured statement pieces , born from a longing to reconnect with Mother Earth to become grounded once more , are visible from every seat thanks to the clever mirror concept . Available to purchase , the walls will become a gallery space of commissions , set to change as frequently as the menus to keep the drama well and truly alive .
The live edge , highly polished and simply beautiful wooden tables are designed for guests to sit in two long rows , meaning in time that diners will naturally add to their epicurean adventure by meeting likeminded fellow guests . For now , they are socially spaced to accommodate the mix of curious couples , celebratory groups and intrigued foodies , who formed an eclectic contingent keen to discover more .
Taking a seat , a black envelope embossed with The Gastronomist logo beckons like an Alice in Wonderland story to be opened . Inside , alongside a genuine welcome , postcard print of the artwork with information about the artist and drinks offerings , is your date-stamped , 7-course menu , which considering the sheer amount of work put into its creation , can be adapted to accommodate every diner ’ s dietary needs . They say there ’ s always one , and of course that ’ s me . Slightly apprehensive of having to declare an allergy to not one but two foods that were staple to the opening menu , I couldn ' t have been more reassured or included by The Gastronomist team – and in another testament to their culinary wizardry , my first substituted dish was so good the rest of the diners the table couldn ’ t even taste the difference !
Where the dining room is the theatre , the bespoke 2-metre wide ‘ parilla ’ open kitchen is , of course , the stage . Highlighted by the clever Gastronomist signage
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