Maidstone, Canterbury, Kent restaurants recommendations?

[f13ldy]

Am looking to take the Mrs out tonight for some food and fancy somewhere different.

What I'm after is quality food & service, doesn't have to be michelin starred for my wallet's sake, maybe a little romantic and somewhere within close proximity of a nice bar for some cocktails/beer. Or even better a place that can combine both.

My normal plan would've been Cafe Des Amis followed by The Cuban in Canterbury, but am looking for something a little different this time around.

Appreciate that it is very short notice but any suggestions...

[itsnotarace]

Mexxa Mexxa in Maidstone, probably my fave restaurant ever, food is excellent and it knocks Cafe Des Amis into a cocked hat

http://www.olddiningroom.co.uk/ in Sandwich was good last time we went

Can also get good grub in the Jackdaw at Denton http://www.thejackdaw.info/

[captainzep]

Come up to Whitstable/Seasalter

I fecking love this place so it gets a hearty recommendation every time:

http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/

Also (I haven't been myself but its very well liked and in great new premises)

http://www.jojosrestaurant.co.uk/menu.htm

[Dr_Rick]

Strictly speaking its a pub, but the food is top notch in my opinion:

http://www.thethreechimneys.co.uk/about.html

Dr Rick

[f13ldy]

I've heard good things of the Sportsman, getting a table at short notice could be an issue though. Only one way to find out though.

The Old Dining Room looks good as well although Sandwich is a little far.

[prand]

The Sportsman was a good night out with some great food and great service and welcome, though as above, its likely to be booked up. We booked a few weeks in advance and could only get a 9pm sitting.

Have you tried Souffle in Bearstead? It's a nice resto in a village on the outskirts of Maidstone. I have had a nice meal there, overlooking the cricket pitch on the village green.

Edit: Hmm, I seem to be saying "nice" a lot about the place, but it was indeed a very pleasant summer's evening meal (I had steak), if not totally standout. I particularly enjoyed their signature pudding - souffle with a dollop of vanilla icecream that slowly melted through it.

Edited by prand on Friday 16th July 10:22

[y2blade]

Azouma in Canterbury is worth a try

http://www.azouma.co.uk/

[captainzep]

prand said:

The Sportsman was a good night out with some great food and great service and welcome, though as above, its likely to be booked up. We booked a few weeks in advance and could only get a 9pm sitting.

Have you tried the tasting menu prand? I think they only do it week-nights and you need to get there relatively early due to all the courses.

At £55 a head it might sound a little pricey but there are plenty of little 'tastes' and 'secret' courses which make the whole thing memorable. It almost seems like a loss-leader for the place when you see how much effort goes into it.

If I had to choose between going out one a month to a middling restaurant and once a year to the Sportsman for the tasting menu I'd pick the second option every time.

[prand]

captainzep said:

prand said:

The Sportsman was a good night out with some great food and great service and welcome, though as above, its likely to be booked up. We booked a few weeks in advance and could only get a 9pm sitting.

Have you tried the tasting menu prand? I think they only do it week-nights and you need to get there relatively early due to all the courses.

At £55 a head it might sound a little pricey but there are plenty of little 'tastes' and 'secret' courses which make the whole thing memorable. It almost seems like a loss-leader for the place when you see how much effort goes into it.

If I had to choose between going out one a month to a middling restaurant and once a year to the Sportsman for the tasting menu I'd pick the second option every time.

They do a tasing menu? Bah! We went on a Friday night, so no tasting menu for us. I must admit that the starters were great - detailed and v tasty, a selection of small dishes form them in the same vein would be great.

Main courses there were good, but robust - compare something like slow roast belly pork & mash as a main, to smoked pigeon delicately sliced and balanced on walnuts & leaves with a light sauce as a starter. Depending on my mood, paeticularly if I was after an eating experioence, I would prefer to eat lots of small flavourful things than blow out on a big single course.

[Dogsey]

The Mulberry Tree near Broughton Monchelsea, a fantastic restaurant that uses a lot of local produce (their pork comes from pigs they keep within the grounds!). Head chef Alan Irwin is very highly regarded as well.

[captainzep]

prand said:

I would prefer to eat lots of small flavourful things than blow out on a big single course.

Completely agree, I've always tended to find the main courses less inspiring than the starters there, largely because the starters can be remarkable.

Tasting menu needs to be pre-ordered when you book because it needs quite a lot of preparation. You can see the list of courses before you tuck in or wait to be surprised.

Andy Hayler does the summing up better than me: http://www.andyhayler.com/show_restaurant.asp?id=5...

[williamp]

Does the Smarden Bell still do car nights?

Oh, I've always liked the Sean on the Green in West Peckham. If its a nice eveing, you can borrow a blanket and eat out under the tree.

[f13ldy]

The Sportsman has a 6 week lead time so that's out.

I have booked The Barge which is on the river in Maidstone. A few colleagues have been and thoroughly recommend it. Although it looks fairly expensive but we shall see...

Next time out I'll give the Mulberry Tree a visit I think.

[captainzep]

f13ldy said:

The Sportsman has a 6 week lead time so that's out.

Bloody hell.

And sorry for the partial thread hijack.

Hope you have a great night.

[VTECMatt]

itsnotarace said:

http://www.olddiningroom.co.uk/ in Sandwich was good last time we went

I am co owner of The Bell/The Old Dining Room, thanks for the recommendation.

[captainzep]

VTECMatt said:

itsnotarace said:

http://www.olddiningroom.co.uk/ in Sandwich was good last time we went

I am co owner of The Bell/The Old Dining Room, thanks for the recommendation.

Matt, the last time I attended your establishment, a slice of the 'Prawn Monkey' led me to spend 14 months in the London School of Tropical Medicine. I lost two thirds of my body weight and apparently (although I have no memory of this,) tried to formally change my name to 'Suzie Jizz'.


Only joking, I remember a particularly good wedding reception on your premises as it 'appens

[VTECMatt]

:lol