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RestaurantsKentRoyal Tunbridge WellsTN1

Harden's says

In a three-storey Georgian house in Calverley Road, ambitious cooking from locally born chef Robin Read, who trained under the Roux Brothers and was running hotel kitchens for a London-based group until deciding to branch out on his own in his home town, with wife Greta Boccia overseeing the wine list.

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Have you eaten at The Counter?

77 Calverley Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2UY

The Counter Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of The Counter Restaurant in TN1, Royal Tunbridge Wells by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of The Counter restaurant.
Greg S
Sat at the counter watching the chefs prepa...
Reviewed 2 months, 3 days ago

"Sat at the counter watching the chefs prepare the various courses. With a 6 wine pairing, it was a great experience. Also, very good the way you can have 3,6, or 8 wine pairing with 11/12 course meal. The food generally was great. From amazing bread butter and broth, to meaty, tasty scallops and A chefs treat, which was a stunning ragu. What really shone through was the thoughtful preparation and the way the chefs had tried to use all of the ingredients, using the remaining vegetables in The broth and the off cuts of the meat in the ragu. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, with lovely service, a vibrant atmosphere and fantastic food. We know it’s a new place and heard about it via a recommendation so we hope the word gets out and it remains successful."

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Paul F
Hot newcomer, so had to visit as it was pre...
Reviewed 6 months, 6 days ago

"Hot newcomer, so had to visit as it was pretty close. Arrived as first customers of the day. The venue has only been open for two weeks, but it’s unquestionably getting there. Nice greeting and offered our choice of table. We had opted for the ten course taster, although we didn’t know the price. 8 courses was £95. As it’s a changing menu, I won’t go through the minutiae of each course. The courses generally started of with interesting milder flavour and builds as the meal gos on. We did enjoy the majority of the courses. On the positive side my friend loved the Brill. I thought the vegetable broth was quite sensational. Both desserts were stunning, but for very different reasons. Chocolate Cremeaux had a whole selection of sensational flavours, both our favourite course. The sweet tower was a great surprise, won’t spoil it by giving it away. On the “needs a tweak” side 1. Bit more bread would be nice. 2. The palate cleanser (granita) needed a little more flavour, and ice pieces slightly smaller. 3. Personally I like my beef pinker. On the basis that it’s still early days, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it attain one Michelin star after the tweaks. A nice experience, only surprise was the two extra courses seemed to add £30 (to £125) which, for a non Michelin starred new venue seeme a bit steep. Non alcoholic Blackberry sour was very nice but at £11 and quite small, not cheap. "

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What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Guardian

Grace Dent throughly approved of chef Robin Read’s debut restaurant in “Britain’s most civilised postcode”, which she clearly liked from the moment she stepped inside: “Gosh, this is a gorgeous room: rustic floorboards, high ceilings painted black, spotlights, peculiar art, fine cutlery and informal yet sleek, kind service.”

It’s tasting menus only, but in a no-waste rather than a bullying chef’s-ego way, according to Grace – there’s even a “waste vegetable broth” served with the sourdough bread.

“It’s hard to fault anything about the Counter, because this is precise, accomplished cooking that feeds you classily but plentifully, then aims to finish you off entirely with the dessert courses.”

Grace Dent - 2024-07-14

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Lunch   £40.00
  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 60.00 Always available 5
Menu2 95.00 Always available 8
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £0.00
Filter Coffee £0.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
77 Calverley Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2UY
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday6 pm‑11 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm
Saturday12 pm‑11 pm
SundayCLOSED

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