Mallard, Shallot Ketchup, Roast Onion and Consommé at The Square Peg, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The Square Peg

The Square Peg is a 14-seat restaurant on Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Owned by Head Chef Rob Marshall, who cooks solo in the kitchen, the site blurs the line between a fine-dining restaurant and supper club, serving an eight-course tasting menu, with one dinner sitting.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Rob came to the UK at the age of 22 having had previous careers including a brief stint in the British Army, with The Royal Engineers and attending Sandhurst. He came to cooking later in life but has been fascinated with food and the experience of eating out from a young age. Rob is a self-taught cook by way of a well-worn collection of cookbooks, and he jokes, ‘youtube’. He says, “I wanted to pursue something I loved doing and hadn’t found my niche elsewhere. A bit of a square peg, if you like. I cook the kinds of things I like to eat - dishes of what I hope are robust flavours with contrasting and complementary textures, temperatures, and tastes.”

Rob has been finalist and a semi- finalist in both the British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year and the Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competitions.

British culinary traditions and food culture weave their influence through the Square Peg menu, which stretches to include anywhere British food culture may have influenced or been influenced. This might translate to something as simple as a syllabub with Yorkshire rhubarb, or a hotpot alongside best end of Pevensey Salt Marsh lamb. Indian and Cantonese spices and flavours may be drawn on when the mood takes. The menu changes every 6-8 weeks and might include Oyster, Apple, Fennel and Caviar; Mallard, Shallot Ketchup, Roast Onion and Consommé; Ex-Dairy Cow, Beef fat sauce and Carrot; Pear, Honey, Hazelnut and Yoghurt, and Banana, Toffee and Milk sorbet. The set course menu is £79 and full flight of five paired wines is £45.

As a small, independent business, Rob actively seeks opportunities to support similar businesses, and the people behind them. Consequently, locality and seasonality feature strongly. The drinks list is almost exclusively British, featuring small, independent suppliers and producers. The list isn’t expansive but there is something for all tastes from still and sparkling English wine, cider, perry, beer, mead, and spirits.

The Square Peg | 46 Camden Road | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | TN1 2QD
info@thesquarepegtw.co.uk | 01892 514819 | @thesquarepegtw

Opening hours
Thursday: 19.30-23.00 
Friday: 19.30-23.00
Saturday: 19.30-23.00
Doors open at 19.30 for all guests to be seated by 19.45

“Fairy lights entwine with hop bines at this sweet little neighbourhood restaurant which seats just 14. Self-taught chef Rob cooks the type of food he himself would like to eat; classic British dishes with a modern feel, accompanied by a British wine list. The team are charming and the atmosphere, convivial.” Michelin Guide