Food & Drink
“WE’VE BEEN REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING DINERS BACK” Since restaurants, cafés and bars have been able to trade again it has certainly proved to be financially beneficial for them as Eileen Leahy discovers
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hen the first lockdown happened a year ago last March few could have predicted just how gravely it would affect business – especially those in the hospitality and leisure industries. But after months of being in and out of lockdown and severe tiers, a host of our favourite bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants were able to reopen on Monday April 12, serving food and drink outside. And now ahead of them being able to serve inside as of May 17 to no more than two households or six people - we talked to various popular proprietors about what it’s like to be finally back in business. Zorba’s Meze Grill operated a highly successful takeaway service during the past year – and also fed NHS staff at Tunbridge Wells hospital free of charge every week. Its owner Sedat Zorba revealed that he and his team have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support they too have received over the past year from loyal customers. “We have been overwhelmed by your support during the lockdowns. We cannot thank you enough for all your orders. We were able to open our doors again on April 12 for outdoor dining and we can’t wait to welcome diners back.” One of the town’s most luxurious hotels One Warwick Park is also happy to welcome back its clientele. Its operations manager Martin
30 | May 2021 | SO Magazine
Garner is especially pleased to finally be able to properly showcase the hotel’s new bar. “We launched our new ‘inside outside’ bar The Warehouse late last year, but it was shortly before the most recent lockdown, so unfortunately that meant it was only open for a couple of weeks.” The unique looking bar is made from scaffolding and reclaimed wood and also boasts artwork from local street artist HUMOUR. Later this month diners will also be able to savour the flavours at the long awaited opening of One Warwick Park’s new restaurant STEAK. “We’re already fully booked for the first two weeks of opening which is just wonderful. We think STEAK will bring a new relaxed eating experience to the town.” Julian Leefe-Griffiths, owner of The Tunbridge Wells Hotel on The Pantiles was equally excited about relaunching his business last month. “We’ve been really looking forward to welcoming diners back. We have a fantastic terrace in a lovely spot on The Pantiles so luckily we’re ideally suited to al fresco dining.” And if the weather doesn’t play ball until May 17 Julian says there is a Plan B. “We have marquees in case it rains so fingers crossed we can have a lovely spring. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our guests back and getting Tunbridge
Wells back to normal.” On May 6 Julian and his team will relaunch their perennially popular Jazz on The Pantiles event, albeit in a Covid compliant manner. “We’re really looking forward to getting that underway and have some great acts signed up with Dandara as our new headline sponsor. “To start with it will be a seated dinner and jazz event and then we just have to see where coronavirus restrictions and rules take us. It’s been a bumpy road for everyone but we’re all in agreement that we want to bring the fun back to Tunbridge Wells in a safe manner.” Celebrity chef James Tanner and his team at The Kentish Hare have also reopened – although for the time being they are only serving lunch from Wednesday to Sundays. “We’re sticking to those days as it means we can have the same team on in the kitchen and for front of house to ensure consistency of
On the menu What happens next in the roadmap for restaurants…. May 17 - Hospitality venues can seat customers indoors but parties must still adhere to the rule of six people or two households of any size. Groups seated outside must be smaller than 30 people June 21 - As long as the infection numbers continue to decline all restrictions will be lifted on this date. On this date all nightclubs will be allowed to reopen. The government says it will have reviewed its social distancing rules by this date so we should know if they still need to be followed.
service,” explains Paul Barber, the establishment’s General Manager. “It means we can also ease ourselves into things and ensure our produce is the freshest possible.” Commenting on their return to the kitchens last week James, who also co-runs the Barbican Kitchen in Plymouth with his brother Chris, said being able to reopen was ‘fantastic.’ “We’ve got a great outdoor space with socially distanced tables, some under parasols, and heating elements to keep you nice and toasty while you’re dining. It’s fantastic to be back doing what we love.” The Kentish Hare, which has just been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its fantastic food as well as being ranked 13th in the Estrella Damm Gastro Pubs 2021, will be able to cater for 80 people when the restaurant opens fully later this month. On the menu you will find appetising delights such as Dorset Crab, confit chicken & duck terrine,
