Chef Stuart Gillies launches Sevenoaks restaurant
Chef Stuart Gillies will launch his new restaurant and bar, Number Eight in Sevenoaks this January
Fettucine of Dorset crab
Renowned chef and former Gordon Ramsay Group boss Stuart Gillies, will launch his new restaurant and bar, Number Eight in Sevenoaks in January.
Following on from the successful opening of Bank House in Chislehurst, the restaurant is co-owned by Stuart and his wife Cecilia and will be “a family run business with local charm and warm hospitality, occupying an impressive 16th century corner site opening up onto a charming courtyard terrace that captures the afternoon sun”.
Floor to ceiling windows inset against a deep sea green façade allow guests to while away their afternoons, watching the world go by, while the interiors juxtapose the quaint locale with solid oak parquet flooring, plush banquet seating, gold rimmed lampshades and a raised marble-topped bar.
Gillies has created a menu using local artisan suppliers. Harping back to his global travels, Gillies has taken inspiration from his culinary journey as a chef, working with some of the biggest names in the industry from Stockholm to Rome, New York to London.
Dishes on the menu not only capture Gillies’ diverse chef journey but offer diners eclectic choices, including whipped cod’s roe with a sprinkling of hazelnuts, green beans and homemade focaccia; truffled artichokes with creme fraiche dressing and Mache salad; Buttermilk chicken, bbq sauce, blue cheese shavings; Confit leg of Goosnargh duck, roasted ceps, Cavolo Nero, garlic fried potatoes; Rye Bay Monkfish curry; roasted loin of Chart Farm venison, swede mash, sour cherry, chocolate sauce and Fettucine of Dorset crab, chilli, spring onions, garlic.
Keeping it local, a carefully considered wine list with a nod to English sparkling Blanc de Blanc and local vineyards (Kingscote, Gusbourne, Chapel Down) provide the perfect aperitif alongside a selection of biodynamic and organic wines from Cave De Pyrenne. House-made Number Eight cocktails including No.8 Sour, Tommy’s Margarita and Conker Espresso Martini are there as an ideal pre or post dinner tipple.
The Gallery, a private space with up to 16 covers will provide dual purpose for those looking for a more intimate dining affair as well as a bespoke artwork space, in collaboration with Charlie Smedley (A Space for Art) to showcase young up and coming artists.
Stuart Gillies said: “Cecilia and I are so excited to bring Number Eight to Sevenoaks. The opening of Bank House in Chislehurst in 2019 has given us the perfect launch pad from which to integrate ourselves further into the local community. Sevenoaks is such a vibrant town full of incredible independent operators, we can’t wait to be part of it all, sharing our passion for good honest food and great wine with locals and visitors alike.”
