There’s a lot happening this weekend in Tonbridge and it’s all focussed on food and drink! How lip-smackingly lovely! There is the Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival on the Castle Lawn, which starts on Friday evening 6pm -9pm with music, street food & a bar. For the rest of the weekend, there’s a wide array of stalls setting up shop to tempt our palates selling all sorts of gourmet goodies sourced locally, regionally, nationally and internationally – olives, cheese & fudge to name but a few. Tonbridge Music Station is providing many of the artists who will be performing on the live music stage. On Saturday everything starts at 9am, finishing at 9pm & on Sunday it’s 10am-6pm. *Please note that some posters around town show the wrong dates, the ones shown here are correct. *** Competition *** In addition, just passed the canon and round the corner a bit, The Old Fire Station is hosting its inaugural cider festival! They will be serving the delicious TOFS cider, of course, but also, over 30 ciders from across the country. To soak up the cider, there will be food available, including local cheeses & pizzas made in their in-house pizza oven. The guys at TOFS have kindly offered two complimentary pizzas to a person chosen at random who comments on this post on the Eat Around Tonbridge face book page with three chefs who have held or are due to hold nights at The Old Fire Station. This is an Eat Around Tonbridge Facebook followers exclusive, it won’t be posted on other Facebook sites. The deadline is 10pm today 18 May 2016. Good luck! It is sure to be a great gastronomic weekend! Enjoy!
Gaab Kao, Tonbridge, 2 May 2016
I took my friend out for dinner for her 40th birthday (for the record, she’s older than me) and as she loves Thai food, the new Thai restaurant in Tonbridge, Gaab Kao, was an obvious choice. We were so excited but, left feeling rather underwhelmed… Gaab Kao – 117 High Street, Tonbridge It was a Monday evening & the restaurant had been open for just over a week. When we arrived at 7.30pm the restaurant was pretty busy – a great sign. There was a big group with children, even those that still need a high chair (which was provided by the restaurant) so it was good to see that Gaab Kao is embracing family dining. (For those of you who don’t care two hoots about family dining, those two children were the only ones in there!) We were seated at a table for two next to another table for two & really, we were a bit too close (niggle one). Throughout the meal we could easily eavesdrop on our neighbour’s conversation & there were times when we could tell they were listening to our highly intellectual chat about my friend’s 40th party that I’d missed. It isn’t a very large restaurant so dining is rather cosy. The menu is really varied but not overwhelming, although it didn’t make it any easier to choose. We finally settled on the Gai Satay (chicken skewers with spicy peanut sauce) & some good ol’ spring rolls, Poh Pai Tord for our starters: they’re traditional & we thought they’d be a good benchmark. The chicken of the Gai Satay was moist and tender, and the satay sauce was really peanutty, not too runny & not too thick. The spring rolls (shown on the right of the picture) were presented with a modern twist, packed full of the veggie filling you’re expecting. Gaab Kao starters The starters were nice but not remarkable so we were hoping to be more impressed with the main course. I’m a sucker for mushrooms so had the chicken Pad Nam Mun Hoi (stir-fried chicken in oyster sauce with broccoli, mushroom & onion) with sticky rice, the rice served authentically in the bag. My friend had the Panang curry with chicken: at first bite, it was creamy and full of interesting flavours, and then the heat hit you very subtly at the end (there are little red squares on the menu to signify the heat of the dish). Coconut rice accompanied the Panang curry: the coconut was extremely subtle…verging on non-existent. Throughout our time in Gaab Kao, the service was excellent. The waiting staff are trying to be one step ahead of their diners: free flowing water (I don’t mean the plumbing – in some other places you have to keep asking for water top-ups); doggy bags offered really discreetly, no big fuss; giving us time to taste our food before checking our meals were OK (again I find in other places, the waiting staff are over too promptly). They never felt intrusive. My second niggle though, would be that our mains were ready very quickly after our starters had been cleared; this might not be the place for a long, lazy meal. Something that may upset some of you is that there isn’t a dessert menu: in Thailand they don’t ‘do’ dessert like we do & tend to eat fresh fruit or a ‘dessert’ made of sticky rice & banana, & it’s the latter that’s on offer at Gaab Kao. We were rather full & so declined pud, preferring to quaff more prosecco. The service was excellent but aside from that, there wasn’t anything outstanding to report and that’s a problem for me. The word that springs to mind to describe the food is ‘nice’, not amazing or delicious, and I certainly don’t feel as though I’ll rush to go back. I chatted to the manager of Gaab Kao about my experience and he couldn’t think of a reason why the food may have not been up to scratch that night, except that perhaps it was still early days. I’m not sure how long the term ‘early days’ applies but I will go back in a few months’ time to see how things are going…. Eat Reviewer Experience Ingredients In the group: 2 ad Consumption & cost: 2x prosecco (small bottles rather than a glass), 2 x starter, 2 x main, 2 x rice – £55 (including 10% tip)
*** EAT AROUND TONBRIDGE OFFERS ***…5 pubs around Tonbridge with outside seating
Happy Friday! The weekend is upon us and there’s good news: according to the BBC weather website, this good weather is set to continue over the weekend. Just in case this is our summer, here are 5 pubs around Tonbridge with outside seating….and some of them are offering the Eat Around Tonbridge followers some deals! Read on… I have been to all of these pubs but never with my Eat Reviewer hat on so I’m not going to comment on the food a great deal. *** Offer *** The Plough, Leigh – 01732 832149 The Plough, Leigh This very old pub is a hidden gem as it has a huge beer garden! A lot of the space is given over to fun – there is children’s play equipment (slide, swing, climbing apparatus) and then a really big football-pitch sized grassed area which is great for children (& adults!) to run around on, play ball games on etc. Tables are on a first-come-first-served (FCFS) basis and there is a new terrace this year which is a real sun trap. The Plough’s opening hours are slightly irregular so they’re worth noting: Sat 12-3pm & 6-11pm, Sun 12-9pm, food until 7pm. The Plough have very kindly offered Eat Around Tonbridge followers a complimentary 175ml glass of house wine with any 2 course meal booked on Sunday 8th May between 3 -7pm. You must phone ahead to use this offer (just in case there’s a stampede) & produce a print out of this blog or display it on your smartphone. *** Offer *** The Kentish Hare, Bidborough – 01892 525709 This pub was modernised two years ago & is very ‘Farrow & Ball’ and wood décor inside. I always feel a bit cool dining here. Outside it has plenty of tables arranged on their patio area, some in the shade, some basking in sunshine. They do get very busy, especially as under 5s eat free so make sure you get there early as outside tables are on a FCFS basis. The Kentish Hare beer garden The Kentish Hare has kindly offered Eat Around Tonbridge followers 10% off their bill Tuesday – Thursday throughout May & June! Please make sure that you take with you a print out of this blog or show it to them on your tablet or smartphone. The Chaser, Shipbourne- 01732 810360 The Chaser, Shipbourne This is a lovely pub in a beautiful setting. It has a good few tables outside (no booking option, first-come-first-served) but also a courtyard eating area with a retractable roof if you miss out on the ‘outside-outside’ tables. Children & dogs are welcome although the latter are limited to the bar, courtyard & outside. There isn’t a set children’s menu but they’ll happily make a children’s portion of most things on the adult menu. Opposite the pub, across the road, there is a huge expanse of common land which would be great for ball games, lazing on a rug & dog walking. The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway – 01892 870318 The Little Brown Jug with a sneaky view of the beer garden This pub is directly opposite Penshurst train station which is helpful in avoiding the ‘designated driver’ conversations on a lovely summer’s afternoon. It has a good sized, sloping beer garden with a large slide for children and Tiki tents for adults! The Tiki tents have to be booked in advance & cost £25 but then provide you with a guaranteed outside table for 8, a haven from our mercurial weather and the added bonus of table service (otherwise you need to go into the bar area to order food & drinks). Last year they added a BBQ smokehouse to their service adding pulled pork & chicken, and other such delights to their menu. The un-covered non-Tiki tables are available on a FCFS basis; dogs are welcome except in the restaurant. The Poacher & Partridge, Tudeley – 01732 358934 The Poacher & Partridge beer garden + Bar & Grill This pub is tucked away in Tudeley and is becoming a favourite of many people. The outside area is spacious and has children’s apparatus. There is a specific ‘kitchen’ outside known as the bar & grill which serves BBQ food (ordering & paying can be complicated as kids’ & ‘inside’ food has to be ordered and paid for inside, it can’t be ordered at the Bar & Grill). As you’ll know by know, outside tables are on a FCFS basis…but get there early as it’s very popular! Enjoy your weekend! If your favourite pub with a good beer garden isn’t on this list then please comment below, comment on my facebook page Eat Around Tonbridge, or tweet me @eat_tonbridge. Eat Reviewer
The Old Fire Station, Tonbridge ….Dads just wanna have fun
It’s Saturday morning of the bank holiday weekend, grab yourself a cuppa & have a quick read about the Old Fire Station: I interviewed Richard & Sam earlier in the month… “Let’s have some fun with it…” – that was the culmination of a conversation between two dads at the school gate, after one of them had just bought The Old Fire Station in Tonbridge & the other suggested hosting pop-up restaurants there. Richard Collins, who owns the building (& the insurance business it accommodates upstairs), didn’t know what pop-ups were; he took a leap of faith with Sam Goode and his book of culinary contacts, to create this quirky, individual & versatile venue. Just in case you’ve never seen it – The Old Fire Station Richard & Sam were going to have fun with it for three months but six months later, Tonbridge Old Fire Station (TOFS) is going from strength to strength. So far the restraunpreneurs have brought Tonbridge a really diverse range of evenings, a beer café, celebrity chefs, poetry nights & a vegan & vegetarian night, to name a few. TOFS is a genuine destination for out-of-towners, some even venturing from London to enjoy celeb chefs’ cooking – quite an achievement. “The guys all cook out the front, they bring everything in, their own induction hobs, ovens … it’s like one big chef’s table,” Sam tells me. It must be a very interactive experience I reply and he goes on to tell me about Masterchef 2013 finalist Adam Handling’s dry ice for his desserts “going a bit over the top”. The venue is probably most recognised for the cuisine it brings to Tonbridge but they have hosted Fuggles beer café, a poetry night & temporary art galleries. And what you may not know is that The Old Fire Station is hired out for sales meetings, residents’ meetings & the like at other times – it’s a venue that never sleeps. The two dads have not only created a new drinking establishment but they’ve also created their own branded pale ale, & cider with the help of local cider producer, Phil Turner. I didn’t think I was a cider drinker after sampling a fair amount of alcoholic fizzy apple juice in my youth but after I was generously gifted some*, I felt I couldn’t refuse a try. I have to admit that the medium dry was a revelation (elderflower would be second favourite & medium third…if you’re interested!) *under no obligation to be nice about it! TOFS beer & cider….and a fireman’s helmet. TOFS is a commercial enterprise for sure, but Richard & Sam like to contribute to the community too: in May, they’re hosting ‘Empty Bowls’, a charity evening in aid of The Bridge Trust. The Bridge Trust helps the homeless and so TOFS will be hosting a soup kitchen, of sorts – diners can enjoy soup from three great chefs who are giving their skills & time for free, & come away with a handmade bowl created by a local potter – The Bridge Trust receives all the profits from the evening. This may seem like a very grand gesture but for several months now, Richard & Sam have been working alongside the local council and other local businesses to ensure Tonbridge continues on its upward trend; they have good relationships with other eating places in the town (big fans of Havet) and support local ventures including May’s Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival, organised by Tonbridge Town Team. So what does the future hold? “We don’t want something on every weekend…it’s not as fresh if we do that,” explains Richard. Fear not, however, the pop-up nature of the venue is due to continue for the rest of the year at least, & Richard & Sam hope to make the beer & pizza ‘open house’ nights a more regular occurrence; something to keep us entertained whilst our anticipation builds for the big foodie players that are booked in (Justin Brown & Ben Spalding in May & June). And for diners who like the feeling of exclusivity, or want to enjoy an intimate meal with friends, they are in the midst of creating a private dining room upstairs which will seat between ten & twelve. Not every town, in fact, not many towns have a venue that can offer such a variety of events. The Old Fire Station is helping Tonbridge to gain its own identity, give it a bit of oomph, and not be the poor relation to RTW & Sevenoaks anymore. And, from what I heard, there is definitely more fun to be had there… Upcoming events Always best to check the Old Fire Station Facebook page until the new website launches (soon): https://www.facebook.com/Old-Fire-Station-531356273682618/events?key=events&ref=page_internal&qsefr=1 There are still tickets for the Empty Bowls nights (11th & 12th May) & chef Justin Brown’s 2 night residency but book quickly as they’re selling fast. I will be attending both nights so look out for reviews on those. The Cider Festival is the weekend of 20th May – cider will be accompanied by pizza made in their very own pizza oven.
Graze, Tonbridge, Feb-Mar 2016
It’s Friday night, the weekend is upon us. If you’re wondering where to dine in Tonbridge this weekend, here’s one suggestion…Graze. The Graze Kitchen & Bar is the old ‘The Castle’ pub – prime location on the big bridge, lovely views of the illuminated castle at night. Graze – looks a bit shabby on the outside but lovely on the inside; big windows at street level – not the place for a secret rendez-vous It had some bad press on opening regarding the quality of the food and service. I think some of the bad press is justified but more of that later. Graze by name, graze by nature: a tapas style menu, three dishes for £15, & there’s a really interesting variety of dishes spanning veggies, fish and meat. This allows you to eat less formally with friends, dip your chips in their sauce, fab for a girls’ night out – the Graze cocktails are also good! Graze also has a creative non-grazing menu, for want of a better term. I love the ‘wild mushroom melt’: you think it’ll be snack-ish as it’s basically egg on toast with mushrooms but it’s so much more than that! Wild Mushroom Melt – delicious! The moules in Thai broth – plentiful & a great kick to them; braised beef cheeks – tender & full of flavour; banoffee pie is, I would say, slightly deconstructed (been watching too much Masterchef obviously), so feels modern but it’s served in a retro Kilner jar, all in keeping with the décor. The kids’ menu is really good & the Graze team is very hospitable to children. The portions are large though despite being for little ones, so small children may feel overwhelmed. Now onto that bad press – the service. The staff is lovely: friendly & helpful but each time I’ve been, some aspect of the service has been slow. I’ve had to wait ages for drink service, they have taken too long to bring kids’ puds (kids getting restless etc etc), they have laboured over bringing the bill. I have given them feedback on a couple of occasions and they have reasons….. but it is a little frustrating. Having said that, I have grazed in Graze several times now despite the service. But I do need to make sure I’m in a patient state of mind when I go… Experience Ingredients I have been to Graze three times during February & March, with family and with girl friends. All those experiences contributed to this review. Some of the menus are in the Gallery or, you can find them on the Graze website.http://www.graze-kitchen.com/
***EAT AROUND TONBRIDGE EXCLUSIVE***
Thai restaurant opening date + offers!! Opening – 23rd April Complimentary Chang beer to every table that mentions the ‘Eat Around Tonbridge’ blog. I met briefly with the owners of Tonbridge’s new Thai restaurant, Gaab Kao, today and they have allowed me to share with you that they are opening this Saturday, 23RD APRIL! Gaab Kao nearly ready for opening night, 23rd April They are very excited about their Tonbridge offering which is a sister restaurant to the successful Sucheera in Tunbridge Wells. I had a sneak peak of the décor inside and it looked very modern but with an authentic Thai twist. I have included a copy of the menu in my Gallery page. *** OFFER ALERT*** There is a complimentary bottle of Chang beer to every table that mentions the Eat Around Tonbridgeblog this Saturday! So like and share to spread the word! Gaab Kao – 01732 358730 117 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1DL