Thackery's, 85 London Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1EA
Posted by pop at Nov 8, 07 11:58 PM ... Comments (0)
For a third anniversary celebration, we took ourselves to (Royal) Tunbridge Wells to check out what it had to offer. It has similarities with Guildford to some extent but the new (commercial) and old ('Pantiles') ends of town were very separate, different kettles of fish.
We pre-booked a table at Thackery's at 1.30pm so wandered around the new end of town for half an hour or so. Nothing jump-out and bite-you special, but I did over hear a conversation in the pet shop about how they'd like to make the punishment fit the crime and bring back stoning or something - very 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' I thought!
Anyhow, Thackery's is a villa built c.1660 to serve the people using the spas in the town. Here's a pic:
Inside we are very well looked after and join a number of other diners (an old couple next too us blatently listening to our coversation and two old boys on the otherside talking about falling off step-ladders). Here's what we chose:-
Amuse Bouche
Amused we were, with a lovely pumpkin ravoili
Starters
Me: 'BALLOTINE' OF GRESINGHAM DUCK with Green Bean and Autumn Truffle Salad, Celeriac 'Remoulade' (rather subtle flavours (perhaps a little too much so) but just the right size for a starter, all served on a long rectangular glass plate
Husb: LAYERS OF 'OAK' SMOKED SALMON, YOUNG SPINACH AND LIME CRÈME FRÂICHE with Horseradish Cream, Deep Fried Breaded Oysters, Dill Toast (Husb was delighted with this - the layered salmon looked fantastic)
Mains
Me: BUTTER ROASTED "GNOCCHI" Sautéed Wild Mushrooms and Tarragon Roast Globe Artichokes, Parmesan Crisp ('hmm very novelle cuisine' as the woman on the next table said when our food was brought out)
Husb: Haddock (tbc)
Dessert
Me: Carrot and Macerated Raisin Cake with pumpkin parfait and carrot and orange sorbet (not overly sweet, but very interesting indeed)
Husb: Cheese board (with about 1000 crackers to choose from, but the waiter didn't tell him what the cheeses were)
Coffee & Petit Fours
This was great fun - a pretty little raspberry tart, a piece of nougat, a homemade chocolate and the pièce de résistance had to be two little chocolate balls on cocktail sticks resting in a shot glass full of what looked like sherbert. They turned out to contain ice-cream, though I have no idea how this is physically possible to achieve. We did have some debate about whether we were supposed to eat the 'sherbert', and after a quick dab it was found to be coloured sugar...which was a shame:)
We were incredibly well looked after, service was prompt, food presentation was excellent, and overall I would say the seafood lovers amongst you would be better served by Thackery's in terms of choice from their various menus, but nevertheless it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The bill came to c.£100 (without wine).