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Le Petit Blanc ,Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Le Petit Blanc ,Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Five Ways Lime Hill Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1LJ.

01892 559170

Having moved to the town a couple of years ago we were very excited when we saw this Raymond Le Blanc establishment open. Well we shouldn't have been.

I brought my husband here for his birthday dinner and it was such a disappointment. The restaurant itself totally lacks ambience and the plastic coated table tops and damp stained feeling did nothing to improve matters or make me feel good about the amount of money we were going to spend. Our romantic table for two was so close to the next table of two that had we turned around slightly it would have been a networking event. The other couple must have felt as embarassed as us about this and it is inexcusable when there were plenty of other tables free. The service was adequate although there was only one waitress taking orders and serving, she had some help in form of a man whose job it appeared to be to collect the money at the end of the meal but that was the extent of his assistance.

I had smoked herring and warm potato salad as a starter which was swimming in about an inch of olive oil (why?) and my husband had foie gras which was good but served with a pile of lettuce that looked like it had been a garnish on every other plate for the days lunch service. This was followed by salmon fish cake on a bed of creamed spinach which was so processed I thought it might have been out of a tin for the first few mouthfuls and a lemon sauce whihc was so congealed I had to break it up with my fork. My sideorder of fries were forgotten about and arrived a bit anaemic 10 minutes later. My husband had a good piece of steak which was let down by the potatoes which looked like it had been sitting on a hot plate the entire evening.

At this stage I was so disappointed that instead of having coffee and pudding we decided to just leave. The meal with two bottles of mineral water and two glasses of wine came to £63.
There are so many nice restaurants in Tunbridge Wells (Thackerays spings to mind) that it seems incredible that this place can get away with such poor quality food. It is possible that it was only a bad night but I for one will not be giving it the benefit of a doubt.


www.lepetitblanc.co.uk
By JoTunbridge Wells at 23/08/2006 - 18:00 | 2006 | French | Kent | Rejected | Review | ££££/$$$$ | add new comment | 297 reads

delicious & delightful

My girlfriend and I came along at 6pm for their special 'early bird' menu, which was only a tenner for 2 courses and a glass of wine. The choice on that bargain menu is very limited, but it is really great value for money. Agreeing we were going to be good and stick to budget and keep to the special menu that day, my friend chose the mushroom omellette a little begrudgingly as she didn't like the fish or meat choice on offer that day. But when she got her entree she proclaimed it the best ommelette she's ever had - covered with a light sauce - and luscious chips. I looked over enviously once I saw it on her plate. My bream was also cooked with obvious skill, though not as indulgent as her ommellette. The house white wine we had was a perfect choice. We left there feeling very pleased, determined to come back for the normal ala carte menu for a more special occasion. As for the atmosphere, I liked it. Nice and informal and relaxed, comfie seats, and top-notch cooking. I won't hesitate to return. The young Polish waiter was also very friendly and not at all pretentious, which you sometimes get at a place like this.
By joyce345 at Mon, 18/12/2006 - 02:01 | reply