insideKENT Magazine Issue 36 - March 2015 | Page 50
FOOD+DRINK
DAYTIME DINING AT THE
Twig and Spoon
Far from your run-of-the-mill garden centre eatery, the Twig and Spoon in Ash is fast
becoming a destination restaurant celebrated for its distinctive British cuisine and unreserved
commitment to the discerning daytime diner. And I, for one, am sold. BY GEMMA DUNN
Growing up, it's fair to say I spent many a
Saturday morning following my parents around
a garden centre on the premise that if I was
'good', a pastry from the onsite café may well
be on the cards. Oh how things change. Not
only do I now visit the said attraction voluntarily
(for the gifts and culinary offerings, albeit), but
the entire experience has had a revival of sorts.
Gone are the days when garden centres were
regarded the preface to a day spent potting and
planting; today, it is all about the notable addons that make it an experience (or even a day
out) for the whole family. And they don't come
much more accommodating than Woodlands
Garden Centre in Ash. Established in 1969, this
family-run venue counts an abundant gift shop,
aquatics department, award-winning restaurant,
and Kent Firefighting Museum amongst its
'extras'.
Having already pledged my allegiance to the food
side of proceedings, it's no surprise that
Woodlands' prized eatery, the Twig and Spoon,
trumped my agenda. Inside, think New England
décor, enhanced by dark wood furnishings,
contemporary artwork, novel light fittings, and
fresh flowers (which by the way, are available to
buy!). In the warmer months, a large
Mediterranean-esque courtyard offers al fresco
dining too.
Poles apart from the self-serve model that's rolled
out across many similar establishments,
restaurant manager, Olivier Frangne, and his
dedicated team offer waiter service to deliver the
Twig and Spoon's good quality, British cuisine.
Open from 9.15am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday
and 10am-4pm on Sundays, the Twig and
Spoon's innovative menus cover everything from
cold juices and coffees to brunch, daily specials,
lunch and afternoon tea. And while the dishes
listed may change with the seasons, the teams'
utter commitment to provenance and
sustainability does not. For head chef, Christopher
Bish, the emphasis on utilising fresh, seasonal
ingredients sourced directly from trusted local
producers, is certainly warranted once you
taste the food on offer.
Picking from the special's menu, I enjoyed a
succulent minted lamb burger, paired with Cajun
spiced wedges and a delectable tomato relish,
while my guest opted for the classic steak,
mushroom and Kentish ale pie; an all-round
winner encased in a golden crisp pastry
and accompanied by mashed potatoes and
seasonal veg.
Not your average mid-week lunch by any means,
'should I have a dessert?' was a rhetorical
question if I ever have heard one. Having spotted
the cake cabinet on my way in, there was only
ever going to be one conclusion to this sitting
and that involved the latter. Made from scratch
in-house, our shared millionaire's shortbread and
decadent carrot cake (never put all of your eggs
in one basket), certainly did not disappoint.
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However, it's not just the Twig and Spoon's
sweet treats that are attracting new and returning
clientele. The restaurant's success is written in
its non-contrived menus; ability to serve honest,
simple food – and do it well; offer of a unique
experience every time; and most importantly, the
fact that its 19-strong team believes in and
practices these ethics every step of the way.
With Olivier at the helm and an ever-growing
customer base, the Twig and Spoon really has
got it just right. Deserved of every triumph, the
future is infinitely bright for this Kentish gem.
Twig and Spoon
Woodlands Garden Centre
Ash Lane
Ash
Nr Sevenoaks
TN15 7EG
01474 852788 / 854094
[email protected]
www.twigandspoon.co.uk
@twigandspoon