Shiso, Trout and Roe at The Counter by Robin Read, Tunbridge Wells
September at The Counter
www.thecountertw.com | @the_counter_tw | @robin__read
The Counter | 77 Calverley Road | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | TN1 2UY
“The Counter is delicious and charming… treating the inner Veruca Salt in all of us with pure imagination.” The Guardian
“This new venture… is the best news for Tunbridge Wells. It has the makings of a destination – a relaxing neighbourhood restaurant with a big-city attitude” Good Food Guide
The September menu at The Counter by Robin Read bridges the seasons with the first of the Autumnal squash, celeriac, greengages, apples and blackberries partnered with the luxury of caviar, truffles, wild turbot and aged Sussex sirloin. A treat of a menu, as much as a celebration of the seasons, the ten-course tasting menu experience, served exclusively to guests sitting at the kitchen counter by the pass is elevated further with extra snacks, and premium wine pairings. Guests dining in September will enjoy dishes such as Shiso, Trout and Smoked Pike Roe; Wild Turbot, Leek and Potato Agnoletti, Chive Emulsion, Caviar Veloute; Allsop & Walker Ewes Tart, Beet, Nectarine, Bitter Orange Gel & Thyme; Greengage Sorbet, Yuzu Sake and Apple Mille Feuille, Blackberry Gel and Vanilla Cream.
There is also a choice of three-, five-, eight-course menus, costing £40, £60, £96 respectively, which are shorter versions of the ten-course menu. Three or six-glass wine pairing is £36 or £70, while the eight-glass pairing is £96 per guest and a three-glass non-alcoholic pairing is £32. The ten-course tasting menu is reserved exclusively for guests sitting at the pass overlooking the kitchen and gives diners an interactive experience watching Robin and his team of chefs cook and plate up at the pass; the menu is more experimental, taste-testing dishes that are in development for the next month’s menu.
Open days and hours:
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: Lunch 12:00 – 14:30, Dinner 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00
About Robin Read
After years of planning, whilst building up a strong customer base through pop ups and private dining, The Counter is the fruition of the long-held dream of Robin Read to have his own restaurant. Born from a long family history of serving the best produce over a counter, Robin’s maternal grandfather was a Master Butcher in Rugeley, Staffordshire, while on his paternal side, his great-grandfather was a Greengrocer in Lewisham, South London. Together with his wife Greta Boccia, they have taken on a 200-year-old Georgian building in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which includes the main restaurant with table and counter dining, private dining room, small wine bar and courtyard garden, with raised beds and pots growing herbs, salads, and brassicas.
Prior to opening his own restaurant, Robin was Executive Chef of the Firmdale Hotel Group for 16 years, overseeing six new Firmdale openings, including four hotels, a bakery and training academy, all with great success. He worked with head chefs in eight sites (UK & internationally) with over 200 kitchen staff, to maintain the highest of standards.
Robin began his cooking career at the age of 16 with work experience at the Roux Brothers’ London patisserie, where he trained in 1990. His love and passion for the industry continued to grow, working and training with some of the best chefs this country has produced. He spent two years at Chez Nico under Nico Ladenis as sous chef, which held three Michelin stars, before working with Marco Pierre White at Mirabelle, becoming Head Chef, and retaining their one Michelin star. Robin also spent time in the kitchens at Le Gavroche, The Square and Restaurant Paul Heathcote.
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