TJ's — Restaurant in Gravesham

After a personal recommendation, I checked out TJ's as a possible place to host my fiancé's surprise 30th birthday party. I met with Iris a few months before as I knew dates would book up quickly as his birthday is in December. In our meeting, she suggested several available dates to work around other parties and explained what would happen on the evening (allocated staff, possibility of food, etc).

I only had to stop in a couple of times leading up to the event, once to clarify guest numbers and confirm food orders, and another to decorate the back room on the day. The function room was already decorated for Christmas, but Iris and her colleague even helped my future mother-in-law and me to put up pictures & banners, blow up balloons, and later to hide the big custom cake that I brought along. She also showed me how to use the sound system to play the music that we had on our phones and iPods.

That evening, Iris even played along in the "Surprise" element for my fiancé so that we managed to get a great video of when he walked in the room that evening. We had about 25 guests, and they all were happy with the venue, the food (we had Indian food: curry, rice, samosas, etc, and it was delicious!), and the service from the staff.

(sorry for the essay...) All in all, it was a great night! The function room was transformed, and we also conveniently had the outside smoking area nearby as a lot of our friends are smokers. The evening was very affordable, if you're working with a budget, and drinks are reasonably priced. My only constructive criticism would be that the décor could possibly use a bit of refurbishment and modernization, but the service received was first class, and I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to host a local gathering and does not want to break the bank! Thanks, Iris and team, for a great overall...

TJ's was described to me as a Pub which serves, and it is, but it is so much more than that. When you enter the bar at TJ's you will find yourself welcome, whether you are there for a drink, to sample the excellent food which, is freshly cooked and superbly presented, or to avail yourself of their pub sports, you will not find better anywhere. It does not end there however because if you go through the door at the back of the pub you will find yourself in their garden area and The Old Coach House a superb function room.

On the 22 December 2012 my husband and I celebrated or Golden Wedding Anniversary in The Old Coach House. Iris and Tom gave us a lovely day, they fed us a wonderful hot and cold buffet, decorated the room to suit the occasion, and really made us feel that we and our guests were welcome. Outside the day was cold, inside was warm and friendly. We met Iris and Tom in October and now count them as friends. We will return to TJ's time and time again. If you are looking for a town centre pub with that little extra something try them. Excellent food, drink and service which will not break the bank Thank you Iris, Tom, Cat,...

We had our departmental Christmas lunch here. We were in the private function room at the back of the pub, which was decorated and laid up tastefully, with a huge tree in the corner for us to put our Secret Santa presents under - we even had Santa put in an appearance, kindly provided by the pub! The food was superb and the service was spot on! We were given mulled wine to indulge in and we all got a little gift plus our christmas crackers. A good time was had by all and the staff joined in too. TJ's has become a favourite with us and our colleagues and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. Give it a go, you won't be...