Allium

Restaurant

Allium – serving the best of the Cotswolds in the heart of Fairford

Allium is a relaxed contemporary restaurant situated in the pretty Cotswold Wool Town of Fairford between Lechlade and Cirencester. Located at the bottom of the market Square, the grade II listed building boasts warm, modern interior and offers Contemporary British cuisine using well-sourced ingredients with friendly service and an imaginative wine list.

Husband and wife team, James and Erica Graham, own Allium. James is Head Chef and Erica runs front of house. James's past experience includes a stint at the OXO Tower and The English House, after which he left the capital to work at Petit Blanc in Oxford, followed by Peter Gorton’s Horn of Plenty, then to return to Raymond Blanc to work at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. Erica and James have worked as a team since 2001 at Wickham Vineyard in the heart of Meon Valley where they were able to build up a solid reputation for fine modern cuisine using well-sourced ingredients, matched with friendly, warm service and an imaginative wine list. In 2004 the opportunity arose for James and Erica to purchase their own restaurant and Allium opened in May 2004.

Examples of starters include ‘ Linguini of Wild Rabbit, Toasted Breadcrumbs and Sage”, “Roasted Skate Wing with Snails and Beurre Noisette” Main dishes boast ‘Trio of Lucy Muller’s Mutton”, “Braised Brisket of English Rose Veal” and ‘Roasted Zander with Artichokes and Potato & Oilve Oil Sauce” Desserts offer ‘Assiette of Blood Orange’ and ‘Prune and Armagnac Soufflé”. The Cheeseboard is also well known for its vast array of British only cheeses, being awarded Restaurant British Cheeseboard of the year in 2006.

The wine list at Allium boasts about 400 bins, with over 30 dessert wines covering countries as diverse as England, India, Greece as well as a large contingent from France and the New World.  Also available is an extensive list of local and International bottled beers and a full sherry list.

Allium has now completely recovered from the severe flooding it experienced in July 2007. The three month closure and subsequent kitchen refit have enabled the team to spend more time with local farmers and producers to produce a supply chain with unrivalled provenance and quality. The attention to detail of the kitchen produce has extended to James and Sous Chef Nick Bartimote regularly accompanying animals to the abattoir to ensure the welfare standards set during their production continues until they reach the plate.

The most recent venture is the launch of ‘Allium at home’ which is their new product range and available from their newly opened Deli Allium. It includes Sourdough Bread, Dark Chocolates, Lemon Biscotti, Kilner jars full of potted Foie Gras and Tomato Chutney. Cotswold Crunch Bread and Sourdough Bread are baked daily. The deli is situated 100 yards away from the restaurant, on the bridge at Fairford.

They have also just been awarded Good Food Guide SW Restaurant of the Year 2008.
Other Awards & Accolades:
Gloucestershire Newcomer of the Year 6/10 (Good Food Guide 2005  6/10 05/06/07/08)
South West Restaurant of the Year (Les Routiers 2005)
1 Star ‘An Impressive Performance’ (Hardens 2005)
1 Star ‘Exceptional cooking’ (Egon Ronay Guide 2006)              
Cotswold Life Chef of the Year 2006
Restaurant British Cheeseboard of the Year 2006    

For more on British cheese, visit Championing British Cheese 

For more on British game in season, visit Wild Game Birds

Elizabeth Carter, Editor, The Good Food Guide, 'Allium is a well deserved winner of the regional award. James Graham is something of a food crusader, championing high quality local produce on regularly changing, seasonal menus and delivering some fine and original cooking with a proper appreciation of the importance of flavour.'