I visited Sankey's Fish Parlour with a friend. It was by way of a thank you for a delightful week spent in the chalet she owns in the Lake District.

We were expecting the best - Sankeys has a good name in Tunbridge Wells. It stands above the town near the hospital on London Road. The ambience is pleasant and unpretentious though the tables are a bit close together and we had to step over a baby rocker to find our place in the window (nice baby though!). It was candle lit and we had two very attentive and pleasant waitresses. The menu, as the name suggests, is mainly consisted of fish dishes and I chose the Thermidor bake of Crab, Prawns and Monkfish and waited in anticipation. My friend ordered Wild Sea Bass which she pronounced excellent and it looked very appetising. The Thermidor, however, was frankly disappointing and expensive at £14.50. It was served with char-grilled vegetables which were dry and tough. The dish itself tasted no better than fish bakes I have had in local pubs for half the price or less.

The dessert was another story. There was a choice of eight dishes including cheese. I had a Raspberry Creme Brulee which was delicious - tasted home-made and creamy - with a base of fresh raspberries, a superb combination. My friend had different flavours of ice-cream in a Tuille basket with a fruit sauce, which she thoroughly enjoyed. We chose a half bottle of Australian Chardonnay to go with the fish, and although it was good, it felt a bit expensive at £8 a half bottle. Good coffee with a mint but on the whole disappointing and pricey - I doubt if I'll go again. Pussy Galore

Tunbridge Wells

Tel: 01892 511422