Bargylus and Château Marsyas at Five Fields dinner

Menu from a dinner in The Rocque Room at Five Fields, Chelsea, to showcase the wines from Bargylus (Syria) and Château Marsyas (Lebanon):

[Amuse bouche]

Quail, aubergine, field mushroom and black garlic

Orkney scallop, cauliflower and pistachio

Fallow deer, mushrooms, black pudding and onion

Pre-dessert (piña colada)

Pear and blackcurrant, sorrel ice cream and yoghurt

Bargylus white 2009, Syria

Château Marsyas white Bekka Valley 2011, Lebanon

Bargylus red 2006, Syria

Bargylus red 2007, Syria

Bargylus red 2008, Syria

Château Marsyas red Bekka Valley 2009, Lebanon

Quail, aubergine, field mushroom and black garlic, Five Fields, Chelsea

Orkney scallop, cauliflower and pistachio, Five Fields, Chelsea

Fallow deer, mushrooms, black pudding and onion, Five Fields, Chelsea

Pear and blackcurrant, sorrel ice cream and yoghurt, Five Fields, Chelsea

I went to Five Fields in Chelsea as a guest of Château Bargylus and Château Marsyas.

It was the first time I had wines from Syria and the wines were made in the Bordeaux style. In fact, the consultant for Bargylus is based in Bordeaux. Château Marsyas, owned by the same family, was softer with more gentle tannins. Both were very worthy wines that shone through beautifully with the dishes that we had as part of the tasting menu.

I was impressed. For a restaurant that’s had little hype on the London scene, the food was really good. There was no pomp and ceremony, just beautifully presented, well-executed and delicious dishes.

It’s definitely somewhere I would stop in again.