Relish

28 Camden Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PT 01892 544522

We’d given Relish a wide berth since the last disastrous visit, but we decided to follow the recent Camden Road zeitgeist and see if under new management we had any better luck.
Sitting in a great location in Camden Road, Relish is a great place to sit with a very friendly interior, but if you fancy a quiet drink and a relaxing meal, this is not the place for you. Your ears will be ringing from the shrill, incessant whingeing of young Emily or Ben being ignored by their irredeemably middle class parents.
We went on a Thursday lunchtime and it was absolutely packed. Relish are doing a cracking trade, and it didn't take us long to realise why. The burger was good but could not possibIy compete with the braised pig’s cheeks with Jerusalem artichokes which my wife ordered; this surely must be a contender for the Must Try meal in Tunbridge Wells – it was an utterly outstanding plate of food and under a tenner to boot!
Definitely worth a try no matter what the time of day, go see what you think.
Update Spring 2009: We have now been into Relish on more than one occassion and are always very very pleased by the dishes we choose. Choose your times carefully to avoid the rush and you'll be in for a treat. Please note: some of the comments below refer to the Old Relish, the restaurant is now under new management with a great new chef.

Experience
Service
Value
Food
Overall

Comments

[Temps Perdu]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Have you tried the Petit Blanc at Five Ways? Get in before 18:30 and you can enjoy two courses for about £10 including a glass of wine, or £15 for three courses. A great place to meet up before going to the theatre.

I have no connection with the place... just a satisfied customer..

Steve

[Ranter]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Ref: Relish cafe. Went there for breakfast this morning, Sat 2 June and as far as wifey and myself were concerned it is larger as you said in your review, but the breakfast was just as good. prompt service as usual. First time back since its refit but all I can see they've done is enlarge the premises with one side the cafe the other the sandwich bar/deli. Give it another go!

[Gaz]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Went to Relish at the weekend for breakfast. The service wasn't amazingly fast, we didn't mind as we were happy to sit and read the paper, but it was very friendly and the food was great.

[Manny]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Relish used to be one of favorite places to eat in TW and were delighted when they opened up the bistro in the evening, good value, fresh food, friendly service, we have even been in there a few times since the refit and forgiven the limited slightly uninspiring menu, because the food was always fresh, well cooked and the service good, but last time we went the food was terrible, sauteed potatoes that had been heated up in the dreaded "M" word and tasteless overcooked salmon steak. Think it will be our last.

[Anke]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Thanks for your comment Manny. I think their expansion was a bit of a mistake too, perhaps a victim of their own previous success.

[Manny]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Look what I found in recent copy of Index, this is what Relish are trying to do, but they don't come close, if you have ever tried Bill's in Brighton (or Lewes) you will know what I mean. Hope the rumours are true!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2094553175_ebe8f08a9f_b.jpg

[what ever]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

I have been going in to relish for years. At first it was just a place to take the kids for a cold drink after school. Then I think a new owner took over. The place was refurbished. It looked amazing, really comfy, brilliant staff. I started to have lunch there. This in my opinion was good food at a great price. The staff changed a lot, however the weekend staff stayed the same, surprisingly. The young waitresses where enthusiastic, fun and genuine. I never once had a complaint about them. For young people they were trained very well. Then there was another refurbishment. I Have to say that it was a very shaky start. Unfortunately there did not seem to be the people that were there before the refit. The food was not of the best standards as stated above. However I have recently been back in. I was reluctant to go but the teenagers were moaning. The service was excellent despite the lunch time rush. The staff were polite, funny and attentive. It was obvious that they were exceptionally busy but the young lady made us feel like we were the only people in the restaurant. Even when the kids couldn’t decide what they wanted, the waitress gave suggestions and even asked the kitchen staff if it were ok to accommodate a past lunch choice. After spending a little time there I realised that the waitress had been working there before the refit, must have only been at the weekends. So I asked her how it was going. She said that there were a lot of kinks that needed to be ironed out but she was glade that they were getting back to the old Relish. She was right. I have been back when ever I have gotten a chance. The menu changes around once every month I believe. So always something new to try. I suggest to anyone who wishes to eat at a friendly place, to go to relish. One bad experience does not mean that the place should be avoided. The staff love children, I believe I even heard one staff member say that her colleague gets along with children because he is still one himself. That did make me laugh.

[help]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Relish is brilliant. People should give it a chance.

[help]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Relish is brilliant. People should give it a chance.

[James]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

We went in to Relish for lunch today and while the service was a bit hit and miss - waitress was a bit grumpy, I think Relish is slowly starting to get back some of its old charm - they've moved things around slightly since the big expansion and it seems to be working a bit better. Food was tasty - I had the sausage and mash, and the better half had some gorgeous sardines on toast. I think you guys should return and give it another go...

[Anke]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Thanks for your comment, James.
I wonder if that;s the same waitress that single handedly has stopped us going in again. You are right though we should give it another go.
Thanks for reading! :-)

[GJ]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

I wish I'd found your site before I last ate in Relish. I had eaten there in the past and found it charming and enjoyable but visited again, recently and found the service slow and unhelpful, the choice of dishes limited and the prices over the top. Such a shame for a once reliable eatery to have become so disappointing.

[Candy]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

Fantastic place. kids loved it.

[Joe]

Comment refers to Old Relish Management:

I tried the £11 for 3 courses menu last week. It was a Tuesday night and very empty, just us and one other table of 2 actually. This meant that the one waitress was very efficient, but it lacked a lot of atmosphere.

We weren't drinking and so asked for tap water, which was served in a glass bottle, but tasted pretty disgusting, like it had had earthy coriander standing in it, which was unpleasant.

We both went for the same starter and main: a caramelised onion tart, which was very tasty but a little on the small side, served with a tiny bit of salad and a dribble of pesto. Then we had lamb with a herb and mustard crust, served with mash and brocolli. Rather than having a crust, the lamb came with a smearing of mustard and mint all over it, and was poorly presented. It was very chewy and there was little decent meat on the lumps we were given- I think this particular cut would have benefited from being stewed or slowly cooked rather than being pan fried, as it seemed this had done. The menu outside suggested it would be served with buttery leeks, but these were nowhere to be seen, replaced by 3 stalks of brocolli.

I plumped to pay the extra £1.50 (2 courses are £9.50) and have a pudding, which changes day by day I presume, of Banoffee Pie. This is my favourite pudding, and I know a good one when I taste it. This was mediocre, topped with whipped cream from a squirty can. My friend had a creme brulee, which was tasty enough but had a burnt topping.

All in all, we came away feeling hungry (the portion sizes could have been larger), but I appreciate that £11 for 3 courses is good value for a meal out. However, it was clear that corners had been cut in order to produce a low-cost menu in an attempt to draw in punters on week nights, a scheme which clearly wasn't working.

On the way home, we walked past Chez JJ on Camden Road and both expressed out desire to go in there and have a decent, filling meal for £15.50, even after having eaten the 3 courses. I do love my food, but coming away hungry having had 3 courses isn't really acceptable- for any price.

[James]

We went to Relish for breakfast with some friends last Sunday... the food was nice, but you can no longer choose what you want for your fry-up - just two options - "Half Relish" or "Full Relish"...
... I can't help but think that this place is going down hill - we used to be frequent visitors a year or so ago before the refit but now it seems to be missing that something special that it used to have...

[Mel]

Relish is a lovely restaurant - breakfast is great many a wonderful breakfast enjoyed on a Friday morning so much so that we all go back from week to week. The breakfast variety is very good and the service great. French restaurant culture enjoyed throughout the day (ie: never rushed and never feel the need to move on). Only shame is that being english we don't appreciate the french restaurant culture as much as we should and that Relish have got so right.

[Andy P]

Reading the reviews above I wasn't expecting much when the family went to Relish, but we seem to have been everywhere else in TW so thought we'd give it a go. Something must have changed since most of these reviews were written; perhaps a new chef because the menu was about as varied as any I've seen outside the west end, and the food was fantastic. I had a rabbit and chorizo dish with lots of little touches added that was outstanding and we all had something different so we could compare. The service was very good too - there's a French guy we all recognised from somewhere else in town but couldn't place, who was very slick. Pinched a menu for my collection and as I wasn't paying I don't know how much the bill came to but my rabbit dish was less than a tenner which seems ridiculous.
Maybe the refit other reviewers have mentioned took a long time to get right but this place has a great feel to it and we'll definitely be going back. What a great find !

[Andy P]

Oh no ! Anke, you've rediscovered Relish ! It's seems to be so busy during the day that recently we haven't been for lunch and I agree entirely about "Emily and Ben". I guess it's the 'Continental' in restaurants nowadays that families are so welcome and I suppose it should be applauded; a blessing and a curse rolled in to one.
However, we have been back for dinner on a couple of occasions and this is a totally different experience. The lights were low and the whole place seemed very calm. The food was outstanding again and we asked the obvious question. They have a new chef who has moved down from somewhere in London and brought others with him. A crab risotto to start was faultless, if a little too big. I had the pig's cheeks and I totally agree with your comment - unmissable. My wife had a sea bream which was fantastic as well and lots of garnishes etc. that were lovely and complementary to the dish. Nothing unnecessary on the plate. A plum crumble was also very, very good if again a little big. These new chefs can certainly cook !

I've paid both times we've been for dinner and I don't get it; prices are the same as lunchtime I think, around a tenner a main course. The first time it was just me and the wife and with a bottle of one of their reds which was about a tenner too the bill was £44. This must be by far the best value in town. Please don't tell too many people though, it can be our little secret!

[Paul]

A restaurant tip - try Palm Kerala (next to the Rose & Crown in Grosvenor Rd).

I have followed this purveyor South Indian specialities since its days as McDosa. It's been through at least one management change and several chef changes. The quality was never bad, but, having eaten there on 28 Nov 2008, I would suggest that it is now very good indeed.

Its not the plushest Indian in town - but it really tries to do something different. Worth a review I would say!

[James]

We went back to Relish recently... on a plus point, the food was absolutely delicious however it seems to now be aiming very much at the restaurant/bistro end of the market rather than what it used to be which was a nice place for a quick lunchtime snack - gone are the jacket potatoes, sandwiches etc and the menu is now very much full meal material. Which is a bit of a shame as I think they could've carried on doing both.
So it's a no-no for a quick lunch, but I think we'll definately be paying it a visit at somepoint for an evening meal.

[Sam]

Relish always provides a great breakfast, providing you comply with their very un-flexible approach. Even requesting that items are left off the plate meets with a big huff and puff. Quite pricey for a breakfast, and not great size portions. Early cut off time for breakfast orders (11.30), particularly on a weekend hangover! Shame, a little more accommodating and the place could be great.

[James]

We went back to Relish for lunch yesterday with friends of ours who have a little 1 1/2 year old. Firstly they're (still) very child friendly with a great pick 'n' mix Kid's menu. Secondly, the food was very nice - They no longer seem to be doing just the restaurant/bistro type food and instead have re-introduced Sandwiches, Ploughmans-style lunches, salads and soups. I had the Fish and Chips which were scrummy. Worth popping back in there.

[Benjy]

Mrs and I had a meal at Relish on Saturday night, and we couldn't quite believe how good it was. I was surprised that such good food could be such a well kept secret and wanted to see what the reviews were; even more surprised to see only 3 stars and some poor reviews. I feel that it is my duty to try to right this injustice.

Sorry, but I'm a bit hazy about the details (never thought I was going to be writing about it) but honestly, the Tuna starter was the pinnacle of my eating experience. Divinlely tasty and meltingly tender, well seared but rare within, and with a gorgeous avocado puree.

Delicious also were a simple Mozarella and tomato salald, a very lightly (home)smoked salmon fillet, lamb steak on a bed of crushed potatoes mint and peas, and rhubarb crumble. Espresso was as short, thick and creamy as you could wish for (just that must be worth an extra half-star).

Service was excellent, ambiance cosy, country chic. Top marks. Well done and thanks.