Tonbridge Old Fire Station — Restaurant in Tonbridge and Malling

Over the last year I attended TOFS coffee shop while it was run by 65mm who have since moved to their own premises. I was delighted to hear that Ben Sulston was taking over as I had read great things about his ethos running Sulston Kitchen.

I have visited 5 times since then. 3 of those occasions, usually when something on the specials caught my eye I've thoroughly enjoyed the food. Most recently the turkey brioche was outstanding.

However, on 2 occasions I have walked out without ordering. After perusing the regular lunch menu, the normal menu is a bit, (I'm afraid to say), uninspired. Additionally, given that TOFS is a bit more on the pricy side in terms of venues for lunch, I'm generally underwhelmed by the lack of enthusiasm of the staff. One particular occasion I walked in with four members of staff standing around the counter, looking unengaged, not very cheerful and not doing anything in particular to make me feel like I was getting my money' worth of service for lunch.

It is still a fantastic venue and the food for lunch is still top notch. But I've unencouraged to return for a 6th time simply on the basis that I don't feel...

I always enjoyed coming here for coffee and lunch, but during my last visit today, I was really put off by some worrying hygiene practices. The food preparation area was visible from the seating area and while preparing our order, the staff member was eating from the ingredients with her hands - no gloves or hairnet- repeatedly touching her face, drinks, and even having a cheeky vape in between. At times she was also serving customers at the till, moving straight from handling money to handling food without any attempt at washing her hands. It made me feel quite uncomfortable about the cleanliness and safety of what we were served. I’m sharing this because I do like this place, but I hope management takes this seriously — it would be such a shame for these standards to...

Asked for two filter coffee’s for people I was with and got told I wasn’t allowed to have milk with them. I understand you can make recommendations, but what happened to the customer always being right? If I pay for it, why does it it matter to the overly pretentious staff if people have milk with a coffee? Also a sandwich - by definition - consists of a filling between two bits of bread etc. What you serve is overpriced and not a sandwich. You have a coffee shop in Tonbridge, not Shoreditch. Your staff would be well served to lose the patronising and arrogant tone of service. Good cakes though....