In the unlikeliest of places - Chelmsford, Essex - there's a restaurant that has single-handedly rewritten the local dining scene. Fête is its name, and big, bold flavours are its game. As I stepped into this quaint, neighbourhood eatery nestled in a cobbled courtyard, I was immediately struck by the sense of community and camaraderie that pervades every aspect of the experience.
While some might baulk at the idea of eating at a restaurant with an upstairs bar area that doubles as a yoga studio, I say why not? The juxtaposition of these two seemingly disparate spaces adds to Fête's unique charm. And when it comes to the food, chef Tobias Godfrey and his co-owner Laura Day have created a menu that is truly anything but ordinary.
From the spice bag potatoes with tropea onions and roast chilli, to the Taiwanese chicken bao and Kashmiri scallops, every dish is a masterclass in flavour combinations and global cuisine. And don't even get me started on the portions - these are not your average "small plates". We ordered far too much, and for good reason: each dish was packed with bold flavours that left us wanting more.
But what truly sets Fête apart is its ethos. This is a restaurant that unapologetically throws caution to the wind and serves up big, hearty flavours without apology. It's an adventurous spirit that resonates deeply with this writer, who applauds Godfrey's willingness to take risks and push boundaries in every aspect of his menu.
Of course, no review would be complete without mentioning the service. The front-of-house team is warm, friendly, and clearly thrilled to be serving up a culinary experience that's equal parts exciting and unorthodox. And when it comes down to it, who can resist a restaurant that radiates an infectious enthusiasm?
Now, I wouldn't say that Fête is perfect - with some tweaks here and there, the cooking could benefit from a bit more finesse. But by any measure, this is a restaurant that is unapologetically itself, and that's something to be celebrated.
In short, if you're looking for a dining experience that will take you on a wild ride around the world in one sitting, look no further than Fête. It may not be the most elegant or refined experience, but it's certainly one of the most exciting - and at the end of the day, isn't that what good food is all about?
Price: from £25-£40 per head
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs & Sun 9am-4pm (last orders; 3pm Sun), Fri & Sat 9am-9pm (last orders)
Reservations: [email protected]
While some might baulk at the idea of eating at a restaurant with an upstairs bar area that doubles as a yoga studio, I say why not? The juxtaposition of these two seemingly disparate spaces adds to Fête's unique charm. And when it comes to the food, chef Tobias Godfrey and his co-owner Laura Day have created a menu that is truly anything but ordinary.
From the spice bag potatoes with tropea onions and roast chilli, to the Taiwanese chicken bao and Kashmiri scallops, every dish is a masterclass in flavour combinations and global cuisine. And don't even get me started on the portions - these are not your average "small plates". We ordered far too much, and for good reason: each dish was packed with bold flavours that left us wanting more.
But what truly sets Fête apart is its ethos. This is a restaurant that unapologetically throws caution to the wind and serves up big, hearty flavours without apology. It's an adventurous spirit that resonates deeply with this writer, who applauds Godfrey's willingness to take risks and push boundaries in every aspect of his menu.
Of course, no review would be complete without mentioning the service. The front-of-house team is warm, friendly, and clearly thrilled to be serving up a culinary experience that's equal parts exciting and unorthodox. And when it comes down to it, who can resist a restaurant that radiates an infectious enthusiasm?
Now, I wouldn't say that Fête is perfect - with some tweaks here and there, the cooking could benefit from a bit more finesse. But by any measure, this is a restaurant that is unapologetically itself, and that's something to be celebrated.
In short, if you're looking for a dining experience that will take you on a wild ride around the world in one sitting, look no further than Fête. It may not be the most elegant or refined experience, but it's certainly one of the most exciting - and at the end of the day, isn't that what good food is all about?
Price: from £25-£40 per head
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs & Sun 9am-4pm (last orders; 3pm Sun), Fri & Sat 9am-9pm (last orders)
Reservations: [email protected]
. The sun was shining, music was blasting, and my car was literally filled with snacks. We stopped at this random roadside diner that had the craziest burgers I've ever tasted. And then it hit me - what if restaurants could capture that same carefree vibe of a road trip in their food? Fête seems like the closest thing to that experience I've seen so far 
. I mean, who needs fancy-schmancy food when you can just have bold flavors and a dash of adventure?!
we ordered like a million dishes and it all just kept getting better and better. I'm not even kidding when I say our server had us laughing so hard they were crying 
, which is already a win in my book. The thing that really got me though was how down to earth the whole vibe is - you walk into this cute little courtyard and then you're like "wait, is this a restaurant or a yoga studio?!" 
it's just so refreshing to see a place that's not taking itself too seriously. I mean, who needs fancy when you can have bold flavours and a side of sass? 
They're servin' up bold flavors from around the world, and it's all about embracing the unexpected 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to eat at a restaurant with a yoga studio upstairs? 
The portions are huge, so come hungry (and don't be afraid to try everything 
. My only suggestion would be to tone down some of the flavors a notch (it can get a bit spicy 
), but overall, Fête is a game-changer for foodies in the area 
!
totes agree w/ them on the portions tho lol, we always overeat there too 
what's ur fave dish? got u bookmarked for a reservation 
1h in advance tho or u gotta deal w/ long wait times 
25-40 quid per head is a decent price tho 
And the food sounds amazing too! I love how they're not afraid to mix things up and try new flavors. The portion sizes sound huge too, which is always a plus in my book 
