insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 73

FOOD+DRINK INTIMATE CLASSIC DINING AND TO-DIE-FOR COCKTAILS AWAIT AT SEVENTEEN AT ONE WARWICK PARK TUNBRIDGE WELLS CERTAINLY LEADS THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO CONCEPT DINING, SOPHISTICATION AND CHARM, AND THE INTIMATE YET WELCOMING SEVENTEEN IS NO EXCEPTION. BY SAMANTHA READY Located in the beautiful Chapel Place in the Pantiles, SEVENTEEN, is a sleek yet welcoming restaurant offering by the equally sophisticated One Warwick Park Hotel. Whether entering through the impressive hotel itself or by the full-height glass doors leading directly to the stylish bar area, it is hard not to be awe inspired with the stylish décor, modern artworks and mix of mood and day light, not least from the beautifully stunning double height glass atrium. Starting our evening at a high bar table, my guests and I were soon cocktail in hand (the Espresso Martinis are divine!) whilst we perused the evening’s menu, which changes weekly to capitalise on the most fresh, local produce around. Dining early week meant that as well as the weekly à la carte menu there was also a fantastically priced set menu too, each boasting a taste-bud tantalising array of classic British fayre, which is then elevated in terms of technique and presentation by the dedicated SEVENTEEN team. After much deliberation and some welcome advice from our attentive waiter, we finally opted for a mix of courses from across the menus. The vodka beetroot cured salmon was a feast for all the senses as the delicate slices of cured fish were delivered perched upon small chunks of fresh gingerbread with a rich limoncello mayo; the crispy fried halloumi was a mix of salty cheese and crispy panko crumb with a lightly spiced tomato sauce; the perfectly cooked squid delivered on its salt and chilli promise; whilst the braised lambs neck won starter of the evening as the rich, tender, lamb dissolved on the tongue accompanied with its rich onion purée and red cabbage marmalade. Seriously impressed and eager for more we didn’t have long to wait for our carefully chosen main dishes: the perfectly seared rump of lamb, with its fondant potato and broad bean fricassee; the rich 35-day dry-aged local rib eye with triple cooked chips and garlic butter; the slow cooked beef cheek with smoked potato mash and red wine jus; and my own choice (the chef’s plate of the day no less) of pan-fried chicken breast, fondant potato and thyme jus. Each plate delivered an inspired dish, beautifully presented and wonderfully delicious. Clearly on a roll (mainly back to the car after yet another course!) we of course had to have pud and were not disappointed as we were presented with the sharp and sweet pink lady tarte tatin with cinnamon salted caramel ice cream; an affogato, the classic Italian mix of espresso, frangelico and vanilla ice cream this time with a huge chunk of chocolate covered honeycomb; and my idea of chocolate lover’s heaven: the trio of chocolate which offered a smooth white chocolate mousse, bitter dark chocolate soil and milk chocolate tuile. With superbly priced set menus, a wealth of à la carte options, clever dining specials including burgers and bubbles and steak night, as well as brunch and Sunday lunches, SEVENTEEN is more than exceeding expectations and is truly delivering on its promise as being a destination for food lovers with something to suit all tastes! SEVENTEEN Restaurant 17 Chapel Place Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA 01892 520 587 [email protected] www.onewarwickpark.co.uk/food-and-drink seventeenatonewarwickparkhotel seventeenatonewarwickpark 73