THE LOWDOWN

Chef Robin Read together with his wife Greta Boccia have taken on a 200-year-old Georgian building to create a beautifully elegant restaurant with table and counter dining, private dining room, small wine bar and even a courtyard garden with raised beds and pots growing herbs, salads, and brassicas.

Robin Read has an impressive CV spanning 30 years and boasting excellent chef credentials. Initially training and working in Kent, he then moved to London and worked for the 3 Michelin star Chez Nico at 90 Park Lane. He worked as Head Chef for Marco Pierre White at Mirabelle in Mayfair for 4 years before moving to Firmdale Hotels to open The Soho Hotel, Haymarket Hotel, Dorset Square Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel (New York) and Ham Yard. He also set up their in house bakers and chef school.

The Counter was born from a history in Robin’s family of serving the best produce over a Counter. His Grandfather was a Master butcher in Rugeley, Staffordshire. His Great Grandfather was a Green Grocer in Lewisham, South London.

THE EXPERIENCE

You are in for a real treat here. Offering a choice of five, eight or ten-course tasting menus, costing £60, £95 and £125 respectively, Robin has years of experience sourcing the best seasonal and local produce, predominantly from Kent and Sussex, but also within the British Isles.

His menus are created from a love of classical cookery and a curious mind for new techniques, it’s all responsible and sustainable here with seasonal cooking, few food miles and using every part of an ingredient.

The ten-course menu is the real star of the show, offered at the counter and gives diners an interactive experience watching Robin and his team of chefs cook and plate up at the pass. Here the menu is more experimental and you’ll get to taste-test dishes that are in development for the next month’s menus. Sign us up!