St Leonard’s brings contemporary British dining to West Malling, Kent
www.stleonardskent.co.uk|@stleonardskent
St Leonard’s | 47 Swan Street | West Malling| Kent | ME19 6JU
Located in the pretty market town of West Malling, Kent, St Leonard’s is an independent, modern British restaurant offering seasonal dining from co-owners, chef Tom Genty and general manager Terry Brouet.
The elegant and relaxed space, with a dining area, bar and table-top seating plus two private dining rooms, which are ideal for lavish dinner parties, working lunches, parties and Sunday lunches, showcases seasonal menus that champion bold British and European flavours, made using the excellent local produce on the restaurant’s doorstep, deep in the Garden of England.
“Having worked together in previous restaurants, Terry and I had always wanted to open a place of our own,” says Executive Chef and co-owner Tom Genty. “West Malling is an ideal setting, on the high street of an historic and thriving market town, with fantastic suppliers and producers close by.”
In the kitchen, Tom is joined by Head Chef Marcus Clayton, winner of the Young Chef Academy 2022/23, who brings years of experience working in fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants, including the two star, Hide and Fox in Hythe and The Small Holding in Kilndown. Together, the menu offers heartfelt cooking underpinned by the provenance and quality of the ingredients the team work with every day. Locally sourced and seasonally changing dishes span an à la carte, tasting and bar menu, including Wednesday steak nights, weekend brunch and Sunday lunch. Additionally, a love of fermenting, preserving, and reducing waste ensures a sustainable approach.
“We want to showcase what we do across a variety of experiences, while remaining consistent, and true to who we are and what we do,” Tom continues. “We don’t want to dictate what our diners can eat, providing a choice in product and price point, but also ensuring that each dish tells a story that’s quintessentially St Leonard’s.”
A spacious, stylish dining room and beautiful oak topped bar is where general manager Terry Brouet oversees service and front of house. His carefully chosen wine list features award-winning English growers, as well as European and New World wines from highly regarded wineries, cellared in perfect conditions for up to 25 years. Furthermore, a creative cocktail selection includes highlights such as the signature St Leonard’s, St Lucian Rum Punch, Barrel Aged Negroni, and Chocolate and Hazelnut Martini.
“Our drinks are just as essential to the customer journey as our food,” explains Terry. “As soon as a guest walks through the door, we want them to feel at home, and our beautifully designed interiors provide a sophisticated, comfortable backdrop against which to drink and dine.”
Open days and hours:
Tuesday to Friday: Lunch Midday – 11pm
Saturday: 9am – 11pm
Sunday 9am – 8pm