Restaurant Journey — Restaurant in Cheltenham

I was unsure of what to expect as we arrived at Restaurant Journey: a pop‑up in a secret space in Cheltenham.

You get emailed instructions on the day and begin the journey on the night by finding the door and knocking the secret knock. There is a menu on the table that explains little of what is ahead from and ingredients perspective, but lets you know a little more of the type of evening you have signed up for.

It’s an experience that you’re sharing with a small group of diners and you feel special to be here. The space ebbs and flows during the night, thanks to the stellar food and wines, the screen and the music. It would be re-miss of me not to mention the music, it is a playlist of hits created by Jeff and Kenni that they played on their travels. In some places a giant screen projecting images might steal the show, but here it was never a risk - the evening belonged to gastronomy.

In hindsight, this was the perfect place to spend a night before embarking on a week’s holiday in Germany with family. The whole thing is about journeys.

Like the journey of the chef, Jeff Lewis, who began life in finance, where he met his wife Kenni. Jeff volunteered in a Michelin‑star kitchen, insisting, “I only want to be paid when I am worth paying.” These days, he is definitely worth paying. He once worked in The Fat Duck, before leaving there to travel with his wife Kenni through Southeast Asia and further, absorbing flavours that now define some of the flavours and experiences they are sharing through their menu.

Kenni is the Sommelier, curating wines drawn from her own learning journey with food and wine. We did the “Explorer” wine flight which included the: Leveret IQ Brut Traditional Method from NZ, the Epicuria Chardonnay, Domaine de la Zouina from Morocco, Domaine Lyrarakis Assyrtiko from Greece, a Calusari, Pinot Noir from Romania, a Bedoba Saperavi, Georgia and a Quady Elysium Black Muscat from California.

All the wines were new to us and worked well in tandem with the courses, the menu and wines combining to make something of a shared atlas as the evening progressed.

Every course arrived with a story. The whole team do well to explain the stories and the many components of each dish. I’m a bit slow and simple, so often found myself thinking: “I’m not sure about how all this is going to come together,” but each composition pulled together into a uniquely delicious coherence. I will give no description spoilers here, so when you go each dish can unfold before you live, as intended.

This is fun dining, theatrical, playful, communal. The ingredients, technique and service all give breathe to the shared story of Jeff and Kenni, and the shared experience of the meal as a story to tell, and the place in time it creates in your own culinary journey.

From a chef this good, I would have expected distance, arrogance, attitude and aloofness. Jeff came by all the tables several times during the night and felt approachable, affable and even answered my curious questions which I only felt comfortable asking because he didn’t give off an air that he would make me feel dumb for asking. He answered them graciously and helped me understand things, like he appreciates that we are all at different parts of our…say it with me now: “journey.”

If you get a chance to go here, definitely do, if you’re a local, you have no excuse and if you need to travel, it is worth...

We recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at this AMAZING restaurant, and I must say it was a culinary experience like no other! Before we arrived we knew it would be great by the team's communication with us and from the moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the restaurant's exquisite attention to detail.

Ambience and Decor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) The ambience of this restaurant is simply unique. The attention to detail in every area of the restaurant was evident.

Music: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) The carefully curated background music added another layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. It was perfectly suited to the ambience, never overpowering conversations but providing a delightful soundtrack to our meal. The music selection complemented the overall atmosphere, making our time there all the more enjoyable.

Staff: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) The staff at this restaurant truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with genuine smiles and a warm welcome. The attentiveness and professionalism of the waitstaff were exceptional; they were always available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and ensure our needs were met promptly and courteously. Their passion for hospitality was evident in every interaction, making us feel like honoured guests. The stool for my handbag was an extra special treat! Thank you!

Sommelier: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) The sommelier at this restaurant (Rowan) is a true expert in the art of wine pairing. Their knowledge of the pairings was impressive, and they skillfully guided us through course by course. Their passion for wine and dedication to enhancing our dining experience was palpable, and it made our evening even more memorable.

Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) The food was nothing short of extraordinary! Every dish was a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with flavours. Jeff and team explained every course at our table. The culinary creativity and attention with quality ingredients were evident in each bite. From the appetizer to the decadent dessert, every course was a journey of taste sensations. The menu showcased a perfect balance of dishes and innovative creation.

Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars) Dining The Journey was an unforgettable experience that surpassed all expectations. The staff's warm hospitality, (thank you Cammi) the captivating ambience, the talented sommelier (thank you Rowan), and the exceptional food (thank you Jeff) combined to create a truly remarkable evening.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an extraordinary culinary adventure, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

Thank you to the entire team for providing us with a dining experience we will cherish for years to come. Your dedication to excellence truly shines through in every aspect of your restaurant, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable...

An incredible, immersive experience.

This is not just a meal. This is an immersive experience. I won't go into detail here about each of the courses, so the surprises aren't ruined. But, if you want to enjoy an evening of entertainment and delights, go on a Journey.

The Food 10 courses, some delivered by the chefs, some by the extremely incredible waiters, with full knowledge and detail about each aspect of the meal. I won't describe each course, but my God, there are some creative and challenging items that just mess with your mind. I loved it.

The Staff Each person shone with passion about the food and drink. Bella, the wine ninja, kept our glasses topped up with style and grace. Her knowledge of the flight of wines was exceptional. Finn was just clearly so passionate about the food and took time to detail each part! He is such an amazing person too, with such a memory for each detail and incredible French and such a bright and beautiful soul. Amber, the graceful swan delivered an elegant and fun delivery of our meals, we had such a laugh.

We're going to visit you at your restaurant soon. And Layla, lovely Layla kept our water glasses topped up all night long with a beautiful smile and cheerful banter, on her first night on the restaurant dining floor.

Jeff and Joel, two of the three chefs all took time to speak to every table at the end, giving us the chance to feed back about the food. Which is all devine. I briefly met the third chef de partie at the end, I was a bottle of wine down, so I'm not so sure of his name, I think it was Matthew, did an incredible job plating up and made one of our favourite dishes.

The ambience Dark, atmospheric, full of music, visions that add to the food, and the most designer toilets I've ever seen, it's a delight to sit and dine in this extravagant restaurant in the most unusual of locations.

Go! You won't regret it.

With love...