FOOD + DRINK
NUMBER EIGHT , SEVENOAKS
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
WITH AN IMPRESSIVE CV WHICH INCLUDES TENURES AS CEO AT GORDON RAMSEY ’ S RESTAURANT EMPIRE , AS WELL AS LEADING ROLES IN ACCLAIMED OPENINGS AT TEATRO , ANGELA HARTNETT AT THE CONNAUGHT HOTEL AND CAPRICE HOLDINGS , IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT STUART GILLES ARRIVED IN CHISLEHURST WITH A FIRM PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING A LOCAL RESTAURANT CONCEPT BOASTING GOOD FOOD , GOOD WINE AND GOOD TIMES . THREE YEARS AND ONE HOSPITALITY CRUSHING PANDEMIC LATER , STUART HAS SEEN THAT VENTURE , BANK HOUSE IN CHISLEHURST , GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND ESTABLISH ITSELF AS AN ACCLAIMED KENT DINING TREASURE . FRESH FOR 2022 , HE , ALONGSIDE WIFE CECILIA , WHO SEEMINGLY EFFORTLESSLY STEERS FRONT OF HOUSE , ADDED NUMBER EIGHT SEVENOAKS TO BOTH KENT ’ S DINING CROWN AND THEIR OWN CULINARY COLLECTION OF MARVELS .
Gilles declared in our pre-opening , insideKENT exclusive interview , that his vision for the Sevenoaks restaurant ‘... is a completely new style operation as well as a new team , which I hope will develop into something special locally . I want Number Eight to be professional but accessible , whether it be a special occasion or everyday , it will suit all moods . It will be a combination of sensations , from food and drink to music and design . Going out socially is no longer one dimensional , so you need to make sure all the moving parts are of quality . Attention to detail in all areas is critical .’ Fast forward to April 2022 and I was lucky enough to discover that this vision had become a reality .
Sitting stylishly on the corner of a weatherboarded Sevenoaks street in the town , Number Eight emits an air of cool , discreet confidence which effortlessly entices discerning diners in for the evening . Tonight , I am one of those diners . Walking through the door I am met with the gentle hum of excited evening chatter and the clinking of glasses . Stuart ’ s desire for Number Eight to be an elegant and professional , yet friendly and accessible place to relax in is immediately achieved in the form of the hostess who expertly greets us and guides us to our table . Any preconceptions of pretension are immediately washed away and I ease into a happy state of relaxation in this warm and friendly ambience , which at the same time oozes sophistication through deluxe decor , white tablecloths and a beautiful bar that glitters with a generous amount of stock .
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