FOOD + DRINK
NEW YEAR , NEW FOOD CONT .
Bottle Store at Squerryes www . squerryes . co . uk / bottle-store-restaurant Squerryes Winery , Westerham
Just outside Westerham , at the foot of the North Downs , sits the glorious Squerryes wine estate , which is now home to brand new restaurant the Bottle Store , a venue full of character , connecting guests to the craft of wine making and a modern Kentish wine estate . The original home of Squerryes ’ winemaking business with views out across the south of the estate , diners can enjoy the culinary delights created by estate chef , Alexander Baillieu , which feature locally-sourced ingredients that effortlessly showcase the natural flavours of the Garden of England .
It is Kent that has influenced Alexander ’ s menu , which is made up of simple dishes expressing the natural flavours of the region , ‘ prepared without compromise .’ Guests can expect a changing menu of delicious dishes from Kent ’ s countryside larder , such as foraged wild mushrooms from the Squerryes estate , Northiam Dairy cream and parmesan ; slow cooked Sussex beef cheeks with herb dumplings ; and line-caught Rye Bay sea bass with caramelised fennel from the restaurant ’ s kitchen garden as well as an uncompromising wine list written by Squerryes resident Master of Wine , Laura Evans .
Open 12pm -11pm , Wednesday - Sunday .
St Leonard ’ s www . stleonardskent . co . uk West Malling
Set in the charming market town of West Malling , St . Leonard ’ s opened its doors in June 2021 and has since become the perfect place to enjoy seasonal cooking using excellent British ingredients with a well-travelled twist . With dishes prepared with passion and precision all made from local , well-sourced produce by chef and owner Tom Genty and his small team , guests can expect ‘ a warm and elegant dining experience that dances on the plate and sings in the memory ’ says Tom ’ s co-owner , Terry Brouet .
Priding itself on being a restaurant with rooms rather than a hotel with a restaurant , St Leonard ’ s eclectic menu showcases contemporary dishes that are a celebration of seasonal produce , as well as heartfelt and elegant cooking . Indulge in roasted baby beetroots , butternut puree , toasted pumpkin seeds , crispy panisse and Staplehurst blue cheese ; sea bream , cockles , pancetta , spinach and new potatoes ; or beef rump , hash brown , truffle mayonnaise and beer pickled onions for a mouthwatering main and finish your meal with a classic vanilla crème brûlée . An excellent wine list , that includes both local and worldwide wines , comes ready to pair with these exquisite dishes as well as a creative cocktail menu , perfect for a pre-dinner delight .
Open Wednesday - Saturday .
Riwaz www . riwazrestaurants . co . uk / tunbridge 62 The Pantiles , Tunbridge Wells
Bib Gourmand award-winning chef Atul Kochhar claims that ‘ quality , ethically sourced and finely preserved ingredients create the most fantastic food .’ This being his passion and strongest belief when it comes to cooking , guests at Riwaz can expect vibrant flavours , subtle spice blends and incredible aromas or as Atul himself would call it , ‘ a first-class taste of India ’.
Paying homage to Atul Kochhar ’ s love of traditional Indian cuisine at the same time as exploring innovative and modern British touches , Riwaz has brought gourmet excitement to the heart of Tunbridge Wells . Now the second gem in Kent that boasts of Kochhar ’ s innovative touch after Indian Essence in Petts Wood , Riwaz is yet another jewel in Atul ’ s Michelin-star studded crown . Receiving this prestigious recognition first with his London restaurant Tamarind , one of the very first Indian restaurants in the world to achieve this , it took him just one more year to earn a second Michelin star with Benares in Mayfair . A real must for lovers of aromatic spice , flavour and award-worthy food .
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