Award winning chef to open restaurant in Tunbridge Wells
Former Compasses Inn at Crundale team Rob and Donna Taylor to open new restaurant ‘Tallow’
Images by Saltwick Media
Husband and wife team Rob and Donna Taylor are bringing their culinary magic to Tunbridge Wells with their new restaurant Tallow.
It couldn’t really have gone any better for culinary couple Rob and Donna Taylor who over the past eight years have achieved critical acclaim - not to mention a Bib Gourmand - with their gastropub The Compasses Inn in Crundale.
Moving from Australia to Kent in 2013 to take it on, the duo have repeatedly won praise and plaudits throughout the industry and the pub is listed at number 8 in the UK’s Top 50 Gastropubs.
But now, Rob and Donna are heading for pastures new, this time over in the west of the county in Tunbridge Wells.
Located on a village green in Southborough, Tallow, opening next month, will have 26 covers downstairs and a private dining space for 10 upstairs.
Rob says he wants it to be a neighbourhood restaurant, the type of the place they like to go to themselves.
“The menu will change all the time so there will always be a new menu for regular diners to try,” he adds.
Speaking of the menu, there will be three starters, three main courses and three desserts to choose from as well as a nine-course tasting menu available in the private dining room, alongside a small edit of wines.
Dishes such as treacle cured beef, glazed ox cheek, braised baby gem and English mustard clotted cream, will show off the food that Rob has become known for delivering.
Images by Saltwick Media
There’s also Stour Valley quail with Kentish cherries and black pudding, or crispy confit lamb, mint pesto and goats’ curd.
East Kent boy Rob will bring with him his knowledge of local suppliers, with produce including game birds, mushrooms, oysters and cherries all from the local area.
Inside Tallow guests will find a “cocooning” dining space with exposed brick, weathered wood and a log burning stove.
Donna, a trained pastry chef who runs front of house, met Rob while working in restaurants and worked for a long time together in her native Australia, holding senior positions in Sydney and Brisbane.
Tallow opens on Friday, November 5, and will serve lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.
Visit www.tallowrestaurant.co.uk or email info@tallowrestaurant.co.uk.
Images by Saltwick Media
