What’s the most enjoyment you can have in Tunbridge Wells for £15? Well right now I’d say it was lunch time at the Le Petit Blanc, eating from the three course set lunch.

My wife and I decided on a quick midweek lunch after a busy morning thinking about decorating. We had not booked, but were immediately welcomed and shown to a four seater table and asked at once if we would like an aperitif. The restaurant is brasserie style, with simple décor and paper serviettes in a new modern building. From the right table looking through a glass wall one can see into the kitchen. The buzz of the place is very continental, no hushed tones or reverence here. Our order was taken as soon as we indicated we had made up our minds, and a decent selection of breads and olives arrived at once, good value at £1.80 between two of us. From then on service continued to be friendly, cheerful, and efficient. For a place that had only been open for 5 weeks, it ran like a well oiled machine, every member of staff playing their part. Actually it ran better than most places that have been open a lifetime. But a restaurant’s main ingredient is of course its food, and this too was of very high quality, proper food prepared by proper chefs, no packet, frozen, short cut concoctions here. Selecting from the three options of each course there were no duds. My wife chose grilled goats cheese and apple, she dislikes goats cheese, but lives in hope that one day she would like it – today she did! My Beef Stroganoff was spot on with almost too much lean, tender beef. All washed down with a half bottle of white at only £7. Deserts were also faultless. I must point out that the a-la-carte menu will cause serious wallet damage, but has to be worth investigating, I wonder if the mood becomes more serious in the evening – I hope not. As technically good as Thackeray’s? - possibly not. Nicer décor that the Bistrot du Vin – no, but all round much nicer and more relaxed than anywhere else. Pretty much perfect. Will we return – OH YES, definitely! Top Cat