A Stroud chef has garnered high praise from an acclaimed food critic.
In his food review for the Daily Mail Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles visited popular Stroud eatery Juliet and was bowled over by the cuisine on offer that has already attracted rave reviews from Guardian columnist Grace Dent and TV star Dom Joly.
TV and radio presenter Edith Bowman and husband Tom Smith, lead singer of The Editors, recently shared their delight at the dishes on Instagram. Handbag designer Lulu Guinness also raved about her foodie experience.
Mr Bowles told the Daily Mail: “Head chef Oliver Gyde trained at Juliet’s nearby sister site, The Woolpack, and it shows.
“There’s a simplicity to the cooking, but an absolute skill and confidence, too.”
Mr Bowles was accompanied to the London Road restaurant by Matthew Fort, the former Guardian Food and Drink editor for 15 years, and expert judge on popular TV series, The Great British Menu.
He added: “I’m lunching with my old friend Matthew Fort, a local who has already been twice.
“We eat gildas – fat olives, smoked anchovies and pickled chillies impaled on a wooden pick, the essence of hearty umami.
“And crisp giardiniera, the pickled cauliflower, carrot and pepper mellow rather than aggressively sharp.
“There’s a pair of charred lamb chops, blushing pink, with proper ovine bleat.
“And two plates of pasta – onion and pecorino-stuffed tortellini; cavatelli with a venison ragù – that are as good as anything you’d find anywhere in the country.
“For pudding, tarte tatin, as caramelised and classic as they come. Service is divine, and lunch stretches deep into the afternoon.
“I could stay here all night.
“And parting is indeed such sweet sorrow.”
The landmark Old Music Centre, has been restored by revered artist Dan Chadwick and renamed Juliet after his wife, Juliet Chadwick, opened in October 2024.
Mr Chadwick also owns the historic Woolpack Inn, in nearby Slad, which he has run for 25 years.
Juliet 49 London Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, 01453 367019. Open Mon-Sat, lunch noon-2.30pm, dinner 6-9.30pm (bar menu noon-9.30pm). From about £40 a head à la carte, plus drinks and service.
