It will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 11am to 11pm
Joe Worthington and Charlie Sweet – together they are Senza Fondeli which is opening soon in Tunbridge Wells (Image: Senza Fondeli)
Tunbridge Wells is set for something a little different to its current food and drink offering – an American-Italian all-day restaurant deli is soon opening its doors. Senza Fondo, which has a restaurant in Shoreditch, is opening a 90-cover eatery in The Pantiles called Senza Fondeli.
Those eager to try the pasta, sandwiches, cocktails and wine haven’t got long to wait, as those behind the venture, Joe Worthington and Charlie Sweet, plan to open in the elegant and historic part of Tunbridge Wells in early April. The area is something of a food and drink magnet, with plenty of restaurants, bars and pubs in a perfect al fresco setting, with huge crowds on high days and holidays, and a calendar of events, including food markets.
Joe founded the London restaurant, which is known for its “all you can eat” lasagne, and Charlie founded The Cocktail Social, a premium mobile bar business. They praised the strong independent vibe of hospitality in Tunbridge Wells.
Fun times: Joe Worthington and Charlie Sweet – together they are Senza Fondeli which is opening soon in Tunbridge Wells (Image: Senza Fondeli)
Together they have created Senza Fondeli, which will have a restaurant, bar and a retail deli, stocking local and Mediterranean produce. This will include meats sourced from neighbouring Old Spot Butchery which, as KentLive reported, opened in Camden Road last year.
Charlie said: “Long lunches in The Pantiles sun, sauce on your sleeve, smiles on your face. Joe and I have lived in Tunbridge Wells for a while now, and when we saw a spot on the street for sale, we had to have it.
“And we decided that we’re bringing a little Italian American attitude to Tunbridge Wells. No passport required.”
There will be “bottomless lasagne”, as seen in Shoreditch, but only on Tuesdays at The Pantiles restaurant. They will slowly be introducing different menus, with lunch being sandwiches and salad takeaways; between 3pm and 5pm it will be “antipasti and aperitivo hour”; and then pasta, wine and cocktails in the evening.
Pasta at lunch should be introduced later on. It will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 11am to 11pm.
The restaurant is in what was the home of premium art gallery, Beumée Contemporary Fine Art, which has a private consultancy nearby at The Potteries. The team hopes it can open this side of Easter.
There will also be a live music programme at the restaurant at 50 The Pantiles, taken care of by local musician and event organiser Charlotte Lubbock, to “broaden its day-to-night appeal and community positioning”. Charlie said: “Tunbridge Wells has a strong independent hospitality scene, and we see a clear opportunity for a premium but accessible all-day concept at The Pantiles.
“Senza Fondeli allows us to evolve the Senza Fondo brand while introducing a more drinks-led and retail-driven model tailored to the town.” While Joe said: “This marks the first step in expanding the Senza Fondo universe beyond London.
“We’ve built such strong brand recognition in Shoreditch, and Tunbridge Wells offers the right mix of community and destination appeal for our next phase of growth.” New York-based design business Yakka Studio has designed the interiors, drawing on Italian trattorias and Italian-American restaurants, with wood panelling and communal seating, aimed at “driving high-energy, social occasions”.
On its Instagram, the Senza Fondeli team said: “Fondeli isn’t just another opening. It’s built for the neighbourhood.
“Somewhere you can drop in for a coffee, stay for a sandwich, end up with a spritz, and probably bump into someone you know. That’s the whole point.”
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Dining and Cooking