(Part 1/3) I’ve always been someone who enjoys a glass of Champagne as an aperitif, but sitting through an entire tasting menu paired exclusively with Champagne? I wasn’t convinced it would be for me.

Back in May, @kitchentable1 Kitchen Table hosted a truly special one-off dinner in collaboration with YouTube restaurant reviewer Sándor Varga aka @alexandertheguest Alexander The Guest, with James Knappett and Sandia @watermelonchang curating a menu where every course was paired with a different Champagne. It completely changed my perspective.

From iconic names like Krug to outstanding smaller grower-producers including Eric Rodez, Georges Laval, J.L. Vergnon and Olivier Horiot, every pour had been carefully selected to complement the food rather than dominate it. The pairings were thoughtful, precise and, more often than not, genuinely surprising. By the end of the evening I realised just how versatile great Champagne can be when it’s in the right hands.

The menu itself was classic James Knappett: deceptively simple on paper but packed with refinement and flavour. One course in particular stood out. Instead of the expected beef or lamb centrepiece, the main protein was chicken—an inspired decision that felt refreshing in a fine dining setting. James explained it was his tribute to a memorable meal of chicken and chips served during a visit to one of Champagne’s most famous houses, proving that inspiration doesn’t always come from luxury ingredients but from unforgettable experiences.

It was one of those evenings where the food, wine and stories all came together seamlessly, helped enormously by the warmth and knowledge of James and Sandia throughout the dinner. I arrived expecting to admire the cooking; I left with an entirely new appreciation for Champagne as a dining companion.
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Michelin - ⭐️⭐️
La Liste - 82.50
OAD - 64
Worlds 50 Best - ‘Discovery’
Best Chef Awards - 🔪🔪
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#KitchenTable #JamesKnappett #Champagne #FineDining #LondonRestaurants Less