The sun is shining – it definitely feels as though spring is here, and at times today, maybe summer too. The perfect time for new beginnings and we have three new beginnings in Tonbridge’s gastronomic scene… As you might remember, Dan from historic, The Ivy House has taken over the nearest pub to the train station (previously Mojos) and is turning it into The Clock House. The façade looks fantastic and Dan talked me through the layout today – a ‘theatre’ kitchen (you can see chefs at work – middle pic below), a separate bar area at the front where you’re under no obligation to eat, whilst diners will be towards the back of the building (LH pic). The Clock House will specialise in Spanish & Portuguese wines (the wine cabinet looks great!) and delicious tapas. *** If you didn’t know already The Clock House is opening at noon on Good Friday, 14th April! So not long to wait – if you’d like to book a table, please phone Dan on 07972 865896.*** And then if one new opening wasn’t enough, Creams Factory is set to open ahead of the Easter weekend too! I popped in today to meet the entrepreneurs behind it and they were lovely. Guiseppe is your main man there and the Italian with experience from all over Europe is really passionate about what they’re doing at 160 High Street. Creams Factory will be open from 8.30am-10pm selling ice creams, pastries and great coffee – they have their own blend and the coffee machine looked like something from another age! They are an ‘independent’, not a chain and Tonbridge resident Guiseppe is using local tradesmen to make the gelateria their own (trendy grey and rich maroon colour scheme, booths, sofas and screens showing you how to make ice cream), is employing local staff and most importantly is keen on provenance, so local ingredients where possible. And then finally, Fuggles looks as though it’s progressing nicely with some fab new signage taking shape this week. I’m hoping to meet with them at the end of April so look out for that post too. You know what I’m going to say! If you want them to stay, we have to support them – make sure you Eat Around Tonbridge! Eat Reviewer Creams Factory on Facebook has a typo and is currently Dreams Factory https://www.facebook.com/DreamsFactoryTonbridge/ The Clock House is on Facebook too – https://www.facebook.com/TheClockHouseTonbridge/
Take it away Friday! Tez, High Street, Tonbridge, 24 February 2017
Recently some of you lovely EATers have asked me to review takeaways in Tonbridge. Honestly, this job is such a hardship! A few Fridays ago, Mr EAT and I decided to try Tonbridge’s very own finalist in the British Takeaway Awards, Tez. I know that a lot of you already love Tez but it was our first time. And I have to say that we weren’t disappointed! I’m a chicken shashlik gal and although it was pinker in colour* than I’m used to for which I don’t really have an explanation but it was very tender & tasty. The mushroom (of course!) rice was packed with mushrooms and the saag aloo suitably garlicky and moreish. The real test for me was the onion bhaji – I’m not a huge onion bhaji fan normally as I find them rather greasy and like a ball of lead in your stomach but these were light and crisp, to the point that I ate two! I promise it’s not glowing! Just my poor photography! Mr Eat’s rogan josh had a real kick to it and between us we decided that Tez’s takeaway was better than our usual choice – I’ve since learnt that Tez has a bona fide curry chef in the kitchen which allows them to create and deliver quality curry. We would definitely take away from there again…..if we didn’t have lots of other takeaways to try for you! So keep your suggestions coming in of places to try and we’ll do our best to try them all! * it was pink on the outside not on the inside – definitely fully cooked. Experience ingredients In the group: 2 Consumption & cost: 1 x chicken shashlik, 1 x Rogan Josh, 1 x mushroom rice, 1 x saag aloo, 2 x portion of onion bhaji + delivery = £22.95
Pizza!! 124 The Bakehouse – Pizza night, Tonbridge, 9th February 2017
124 High Street is a beautiful old building and since it has become our very own artisan bakery, it’s been given a new lease of life. The owner, Clare, is capitalising on her skills and building by offering bread making lessons, and also, pizza nights. Quite appropriately, the Bakehouse looked rather different to its daytime appearance when I visited with a friend at the beginning of February for one of the pizza nights – all dimly lit & hushed. We climbed the well trodden old stairs to our table where there were quite a few tables of two but also tables for larger groups. The menu is diverse with something for everyone – vegetarians, meat-lovers & vegans were certainly catered for. We were tempted by the anti-pasto starters but we decided to dive right into the pizza. Stinky Pete at The Bakehouse I learnt a few tips about food reviewing from Jay Rayner when I saw him at the EM Forster theatre in January: he advised to go for the most obscure thing on the menu unless, in his case, he saw something on the menu that involved pork. For me, substitute pork with mushrooms and you’ll guess that I didn’t go for anything unusual or new; I was predictable, and delighted, that there was a funghi pizza on the menu. My friend set a better example by choosing one of the menu’s new additions – the Stinky Pete which definitely packed a punch with its strong Kentish blue cheese. My delicious funghi pizza… The funghi was not tomato based which made a nice change for me (& is great for anyone with a tomato allergy) and I absolutely loved it. The cream gave the mushrooms the right kind of tang and the seasoning was great. But one of the USPs of the evening is that these are no ordinary pizzas – the base is made from sourdough rather than your traditional pizza dough and you could definitely tell the difference: the base was crisper and lighter than normal, yet still sturdy enough to handle the topping if you decided to pick up a slice. The sourdough may be what makes these pizzas different but with these nights, The Bakehouse is, too, differentiating itself – it’s offering a calm, relaxed, even refined way to enjoy a bite to eat & a bottle of wine with friends. Experience Ingredients In the group: 2 Consumption & cost: 2 x pizzas at £10.50 each + bottle of red wine = £40
The Honeymoon, Tonbridge, 2 February 2017, Chinese New Year!
We were trying to organise a night out when my friend suggested we visit The Honeymoon for their Chinese new year celebrations and more importantly….Elvis! I have to admit that I hadn’t been a fan of Chinese food after too many nasty nights out at Chinese restaurants in my youth with orange, gloopy sauce sticking to the meat. But, I needn’t have worried… And so, on a grey Thursday night in February, we stepped into Chinese new year at The Honeymoon, festooned with red lanterns and welcoming faces, tables of (mostly) ladies waiting patiently for The King…or at least The King impersonator. I really need to go on a food photography course… There was a set-menu for veggies and meat-eaters which always makes life easier, doesn’t it? The food was good, brought to our tables promptly (service was good all night): I loved the prawn toast & satay chicken for starters (there was also roast pork money bags and sticky plum spare ribs) and my particular favourite of the mains was the beef in black pepper sauce, but I had a clean plate so clearly enjoyed all that was on offer (chicken in garlic wine, prawns in delicate sauce & egg fried rice)! Two things I want to mention in particular – The Honeymoon has a great white wine menu! I only tried the sauvignon blanc at £17.50 a bottle but it also had picpoul and Vouvray wines on offer which you don’t often see in a high street Chinese restaurant; secondly, in a world where we are frequently reminded of food waste, I thought the portions were spot on, just right. There was enough for everyone but not too much, which appealed to my Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall side. So, I definitely enjoyed the food & wine. Now onto the main event – Elvis! The Elvis impersonator (Scott Elvis) seemed authentic to me – when I shut my eyes, he definitely did sound like the man himself! And many of the Elvis fans there seemed to think so too, dancing alongside him whilst he crooned. Photo courtesy of R Homewood We had the whole back catalogue of Elvis hits, regular serenading which, rather than being embarrassed about we became accustomed to and a costume change, from GI Elvis to a leather clad King. It was a really fun night, great value for money and there was talk of it becoming an annual thing. The mistakes of my youth have been replaced by happy memories of good food and good fun. Experience Ingredients In the group: 11 Consumption & cost: Set-menu- £24; bottle of sauvignon blanc £17.50
Bring a friend February!
Thanks to Sophie Gibson for these fab photos from Havet, “a firm favourite”! Please continue to send photos to eatreviewer@gmail.com!
Calling all job seekers with restaurant operations experience!
It’s that time again where we publish the catering & hospitality jobs available in Tonbridge. The jobs at The Bakehouse and Saltwaters are still open so if you’re interested then please do apply as I know that Clare & Ellie would love to hear from you. Read more about the roles here and good luck! The catering manager role at The Bakehouse would be great for an ex-chef or someone with restaurant operations’ experience who is looking for something with more sociable hours. Clare is open to suggestions on flexible working so don’t be afraid to get in touch. Ellie at Saltwaters is looking for someone reliable and experienced in the take-away and/or restaurant industry. Ellie and her brother work side-by-side running Saltwaters so you really would be working for a family business, with a great work ethic.