2nd February 2023
Essence by Atul Kochhar opens Wednesday 7th February 2024 in the historic colonnades of Tunbridge Wells. The Grade II listed Essence at The Pantiles will be the second venue in Kent after Indian Essence in Petts Wood.
Housed within the Georgian buildings of The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells on the former site of Woods Restaurant & Bar, the new restaurant will bring Atul’s renowned Indian menus with a contemporary British touch to the spa town of Kent’s High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known as the Garden of England.
Essence at The Pantiles features a bright, two-storey modern space, complementing restored original features.
There is a space for 28 people in the bar, a restaurant seating 60 on the ground floor and further spilling on the terrace for around 60 covers in the warmer months. With access from both ends of the building, Essence at The Pantiles will feature a mezzanine private room with custom menus and a bar area for groups of up to 26 people.
Menus will feature Atul Kochhar’s award-winning pan-Indian dishes discovered by the chef on his extensive travels across the Indian sub-continent, re-interpreted with modern European touches.
Weekday set lunch menus will start from £22, with weekend set lunch menus from £26 per head. There will be a seven-course tasting menu starting at £74.95 per person or from £114.95 with paired wine flights. The bar will serve a tapas-style menu of light bites and the restaurant will operate a takeaway service.