After eight years running The Compasses Inn in Crundale and earning the gastropub a coveted Bib Gourmand, husband and wife team Rob and Donna Taylor left to embark on their first solo project - Tallow - an award-winning seasonal British restaurant in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Tallow is a labour of love and the couple have kept things simple with a seasonal, ever-changing menu packed full of locally sourced produce. The menu is concise but updated on a monthly basis, so repeat diners will always be able to try something new. Even the bread course is creative, varied and embraces seasonal flavours and ingredients.
Examples of starters on the menu include slow braised venison ragu with potato mousse, or confit onion with caramelized onion broth and goats curd. For mains, diners can choose from a meat, fish or vegetarian dish, with choices like roasted fillet of pork with confit belly, crown prince squash, black pudding and black garlic ketchup or pressed mushroom and celeriac with baby leeks, malted soused onions and black summer truffle. For desserts, two sweet dishes or a cheese course are on offer - think Pump Street chocolate and praline tiramisu. Diners can also choose to order the tasting menu with an optional wine pairing.
Despite a fine dining style menu, the atmosphere of the restaurant is relaxed and homely with wooden interiors, exposed brickwork and a well-stocked wood panelled bar. Low-hanging lights and glowing candles add to the laid back ambience and you really feel that you have been welcomed into the Taylor’s world. As well as the main dining room, Tallow also has a chef's table upstairs - the only one of its type in Kent - where Rob Taylor cooks also seven courses for you and your group at the table.