The Kentish Hare

The Bidborough Ridge, rising between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, is home to this affable, smart dining pub – the latest offering from well-known restaurateurs Chris and James Tanner (famous for their exploits in the West Country). Inside, it looks casual but classy, with pine tables under a vaulted beamed ceiling in the restaurant area, while the titular hare stands proud on the bar counter. An outdoor dining terrace overlooking the garden is an additional summer option. There is a distinctly aspirational feel to the main menus, which build layers of assertive, contrasting flavours around their main ingredients, but the kitchen is not above offering silky-rich chicken liver parfait, superlative fish and chips, and various cuts of Launceston beef with classic sauces. Desserts major on toffee and chocolate, and there is usually excellent crème brûlée served in a satisfyingly broad dish. Chris and James Tanner also know their wine, and oversee a resourceful list that covers most of the well-known varieties, with three glass sizes on offer for the majority of the listings.