Dale-Roberts grew up in Punnetts Town, East Sussex – a small village that in his own words “had about 15 pubs in a mile’s radius” from his home. Having been immersed in the British pub culture for much of his youth, he had been mulling the idea of creating a modern-day pub-food experience for some time.
Recently, seeing a demand for more accessible, hearty meals, he decided to create a unique, yet age-old, dining experience stirred by his nostalgia and the simple question, “Is it tasty?”
“This is not The Test Kitchen in terms of multi-course, multi-sensory experience, but we are offering the same degree of skill and attention to detail to good, old-fashioned, honest food,” he says.
With “Ye Olde Test Kitchen”, Dale-Roberts seeks to create excellence out of simplicity and innovation out of the ordinary. It is a vehicle catered to the guests’ wants and needs as well as a personal project of challenging and pushing his chefs to create something different from his youth. The result is a dining experience where the bells and whistles ring loudly and clearly in your head, even when you cannot see them.
The menu will consist of a la carte dishes, served as starters, mains and desserts, with a range of sides. Starters will consist of dishes such as pressed terrine of the day, salt beef ploughman and potted lango; mains of mini beef wellington, slow-cooked lamb shanks and, of course, fish and chips; with desserts including a cheeseboard, sticky toffee pudding and a crumble of the day. Dishes range from R95 to R220.
There will be no set wine pairings and The Test Kitchen’s renowned sommelier will be preparing a bespoke wine list comprising some special vintages and personal favourites. A selection of craft beers will also be available by the bottle.
Launching on the 21 August 2019, the “Ye Olde Test Kitchen” pop-up will open its doors for every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, offering lunch-only for two months. Located in the Old Biscuit Mill at The Test Kitchen, bookings for seats in the Light Room will be available online, while walk-in guests will be welcomed in the Dark Room.
Please note that Ye Olde Test Kitchen will be able to cater to limited dietary requirements and that Ye Olde Test Kitchen closes at 3.30pm.
Reservations for Ye Olde Test Kitchen are made via the website: www.yeoldetestkitchen.co.za Bookings are now open.
