Upmarket Sunday lunch

Thackarey's Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells is a French fine dining restaurant. Situated inside a lovely old cottage, white wood slats outside, and slanted creaking floor boards inside. It has a warm friendly feeling, the staff are wonderfully attentive, and the food is excellent.

We called in for Sunday lunch as a treat on the long Easter weekend, having good memories of a the tasting menu some years previous. Thackeray's did not disappoint.

Sunday lunch is a set menu, that changes with the seasons, but a few favourites are always available, the roast sirloin steak main course being one of them. Dessert is available, and looked great from what we saw being delivered to other tables. We didn't have room this time, may have been something to do with the amount of Easter chocolate consumed over the weekend...

The amuse bouche was a rich and creamy cauliflower espuma on top of a celery compote with walnuts. If you have an aversion to celery, this may cure it.  The celery had been cooked down into a sweet compote that complimented the rich cauliflower.

This was served alongside some excellent breads, a choice of either beetroot and horseradish bread, or sea salt and rosemary.

We both chose the celeriac velouté, chorizo and chicken wings as a starter. Served in a large warmed bowl was a small pile of spicy chorizo, it's paprika rich oil oozing out into the rich velouté. Set on top were two boneless crispy fried chicken wings. The velouté was poured table side and brought the dish together into a warming, earthy starter which chased away the chills from the Easter weather outside.

Of the main courses on offer we went meat - it is a Sunday lunch after all. This confit lamb shoulder melted in the mouth, with an intense hit of meaty flavours, served with roasted shallot, sprouting broccoli and a rich gravy.

We had to order a side of leeks as they were smothered in blue cheese.

The highlight for me was the roast sirloin beef, served pink, on a bed of leeks with a mound of crushed 'neeps' - swede enriched with butter, and a giant Yorkshire pudding. A sweet shallot jam added to the richness of the dish.

The glass of D'Arenberg Stump Jump Shiraz complimented the richness of the main course.

No Sunday lunch is complete without decent roast potatoes, and Thackeray's gets this right. Their potatoes are roasted in duck fat, crispy on the outside, and fluffy light when cut into. Really just perfect!

Thank you Thackeray's - we will definitely be back for Sunday lunch, and heartily recommend the restaurant to anyone wanting a special meal.