Chez JJ

86 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QP
01892 525830

Let's not stand on ceremony; I'll come out and say it from the off: I LOVE Chez JJ. I love everything about it. I love the fact its located in the nether regions of Camden Road, between a fish & chip shop and a barbers. I love its woodchip wallpaper, old school decor and its gingham tablecloths. I love the fact the menu is in French, and JJ laughed scornfully at the table who asked him to translate, and couldn't understand a word my Scottish wife was saying. If Prezzo sums up your idea of fine dining, then I can safely say that Chez JJ is NOT the restaurant for you.
And I love the fact that you sit down to a generous basket of bread and a bowl of olives. Anyway, first up: mussels for her, snails for me. I've had plumper, juicier specimens of both, but they were nicely cooked, and its seldom I've eaten snail where I've actually tasted snail, and not just got a mouthful of butter and garlic. I've heard it said that JJ's steak and frites are the best this side of the Dartford tunnel. This is utter nonsense. They are, in fact, the best in the world. Ever. How, errrr, rare (ahem) to ask for a rare steak and to receive a rare steak, and not just be served a brown piece of meat apologetic little strip of pink in the middle, and don't even ASK me to describe how good the frites were - my limited vocabulary just doesn't cover it. The wife had a lovely lamb shank, with a beautiful side dish of flageolot beans, laced with rosemary and garlic. This was more than generous - there was no point to the raw brick of dauphinoise which accompanied it.
I know absolutely zilch about booze and usually wouldn't even bother mentioning it in reviews, but the Muscadet we ordered was so lovely, we almost managed to plough through two bottles. Unfortunately we could have done without the free glass of calvados we were plied with before pudding, which tipped us over the edge from merry to drunk. I can just about remember really enjoying my tarte tatin, which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was so rich and buttery, I could have sworn it was butterscotch. The wife had melon sorbet, which was the sweetest, melony-est sorbet imaginable - just like eating an icy charterais. I can vaguely remember us staggering home, satisfied and fuller than a doctor's wallet. Oh, which reminds me, three courses each and two bottles of wine came to £60, which seems to be quite a rare achievement around these parts.
If you fall into the Live to Eat category and not vice versa, then make sure you put Chez JJ high up on your To-Do list. Just make sure you know your poules from your canards beforehand.

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Comments

[John Hayes Fisher]

What a review! Have booked a table for tomorrow night on the basis of your comments. Will report back.

John

[Melanie]

We have been to Chez JJ twice and each time the food and service has been absolutely perfect. The prices are very modest for the quality and portions that they serve. I agree the steaks are in fact, the best in the world! The house Merlot is excellent too. 5 stars + to Chez JJ!

[Joe Kenward]

I totally agree- Chez JJ is fantastic. The steak frites are superb, and thoroughly recommended. Great value and lovely house wine.

I have now been 3 times, each time has been memorabley great, and I will definitely be going again in the future. Do yourself a favour and book a table today- it'll be the best £15.50 you spend on food in a long time.

The decor is great too, just what you expect a French restaurant to be- no doubt about it, this place is authentic, so expect tables close to each other, romantic lighting and good food.

[John Hayes Fisher]

So many people I know have spoken to recently talk of really good food and really good value at JJ's. Thats the experience we had when we went just before Christmas, so I think we will give it another go soon!

[John Hayes Fisher]

We are not great complainers but we did question the bill last night. We thought we would splash out to begin with and have a couple of glasses of kir royale and although we only had one starter we both opted for the steak frites along with a bottle of red (not the cheapest) so when the bill came with my coffee, I had to talk to JJ. "I think there's been a mistake its only £42 and we have drunk quite a bit". JJ looked at the figures. "That's correct" he said with a bemused look.

I told my neighbour this morning (who has been to JJ's four times). Shhh dont tell too many people about the place or the prices will go up.

Fantastic steak, wonderful value, Camden Roads hidden gem.

[Gigalina]

Fantastic food, excellent service, they've got the French feel to a T. Love it!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1484577366]

Superbe - I recognise the flavours of my French grandmother's cooking. The quality of the produce , the cooking, all prefect.