Carved into the courtyard of the storied Old Colorado Inn in downtown Stuart, Coventry Cafe opened in March as an upscale American restaurant catering to locals seeking happy hour refuge and foodies who want a “cheffy” experience. At Coventry—named for John Coventry, who built the original Coventry Hotel in 1914—Chef Doug Forgione and partners George Forgione and Josh Hornby aim to provide an approachable fine dining experience with a nod to Stuart’s roots.
The menu, purposefully brief and frequently updated to keep things fresh and seasonal, shows evidence of Chef Forgione’s cultural culinary influences. The self-identified nomad joined the U.S. Coast Guard at 19 and bounced between Florida and coastal New York. After his service, he moved to New York City, where he began his culinary career. “My first job in culinary was at a Laotian restaurant in Tribeca called Khe-Yo,” he says. “I was on the mortar and pestle station, grinding spices, making papaya salads, cucumber salads, you name it.”
At Coventry Cafe, Forgione is especially proud of the Prince Edward Island mussels. Inspired by the dish khao soi—a coconut red curry from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand—the mussels feature a warm, spicy broth with pork belly, fried shallots, and cilantro and are served with crispy slices of ciabatta. Other menu highlights include the Laotian tuna tartare, shrimp toast, and vodka chicken Parmesan.
Forgione attended the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan before training under esteemed chefs such as Tom Colichio and Leah Cohen. Ultimately, he became executive chef at the Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons, where he met Josh Hornby, the visionary behind Coventry’s front of house. Together, with support from Forgione’s father, George, they fitted the open-air dining space with 8-foot-long banquets (constructed locally), palm frond palapas, and twinkling bistro lights, creating a quaint ambience in the courtyard.
The cocktail menu features fresh, tropical creations like the Stuart Spritz (St. Germain, lemon, mint, and prosecco), the If You Like Piña Colada (a twist on the classic beachside staple), and the Pick Me Up (espresso martini with Espolon reposado tequila and Kahlúa-blended espresso), as well as a thoughtful selection of wines and craft beers…