We accept something special inwards East Kent inwards the classify of our high quality, local province pubs focusing on expert nutrient made alongside local ingredients, paired alongside carefully curated vino lists. Last yr the exciting intelligence came that Mark Sargent, the Michelin starred chef behind only about of the Kent as well as London restaurants nosotros all dearest similar Rocksalt inwards Folkestone as well as Plum + Spilt Milk at the Great Northern Hotel inwards London was taking over the rather average pub inwards ane of the Canterbury-adjacent villages I frequent: The Duke William inwards Ickham.
When I commencement heard almost the opening I wanted to caput on downwards a before long as, but local rumours that all you lot were getting was measure pub fayre alongside inflated prices, as well as an sense at Rocksalt alongside fantastic food, but frustrating service position me off somewhat. So, it was exclusively terminal Sabbatum that nosotros had the direct chances to caput out into the saltation sunshine for lunch, right away the pub has had the terminal yr to run inwards its groove.
Settling downwards alongside a handbasket of freshly baked sourdough, as well as electrical flow as well as fennel seed staff of life nosotros ran through the menu, accompanied past times a carafe of Croation white vino for those of us who were non driving. I specially loved the flavoured bread, as well as it actually got me excited for the commencement course. As for the wine, we'd never had Croation before. It was a lot similar an English linguistic communication vino such every bit Chapel Down's Flint Dry, but alongside a nice, abrupt acidity at the end. I'm curious, as well as thus I right away desire to hunt downwards a Croation ruby-red to sample, too.
We started alongside something from the bar menu. I was interested almost 'mussel popcorn' the minute I saw it on at that topographic point (they also practise a mussel popcorn hot dog), as well as I confirm that fifty-fifty if you're non at the bar as well as sitting downwards to dine, it is a very, real expert call. Big, plump mussels are deep fried inwards a crisp batter as well as served alongside a delicious homemade mayonnaise inwards a means that delighted the mussel lover at the tabular array (me) as well as fifty-fifty converted those who ordinarily would non acquit upon them. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 clever example of the fact at that topographic point are non actually 'likes' as well as 'dislikes' alongside whatever ingredients inwards life, only ways of cooking them.
Moving onto starters proper, I'm a sucker for devilled eggs wherever they appear. These were made alongside a paprika spice mix that made them gustation almost meaty (I had to cheque alongside the server that they were inwards fact meat free), topped alongside a rich, plump as well as salty Castilian ortiz anchovy each. Oh, as well as a tangle of lightly dressed lambs lettuce on the side. They blew the terminal devilled eggs I'd had out of the H2O (at Zinique inwards Venice: Los Angeles, if you lot must know), as well as I cannot empathise why they don't also appear on the bar menu.
Wherever my manful someone nurture goes as well as at that topographic point is potted shrimp on the menu, that is what he orders. Therefore, I've had the chance to steal bites of many expert as well as bully versions over the years. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 generous sum of sweetness shrimp, shaped alongside only the correct sum of seasoned butter, as well as elementary silent thoughts out accompaniments made this plateful perfect for fans of such a thing. My manful someone nurture constitute it a solid specimen.
Daddy is also pretty predictable inwards that he volition ever fellowship something meaty, fifty-fifty inwards a seafood restaurant. However, it was expert that nosotros got a solid read on the 300g Rib Eye, served alongside a garlic herb butter, grilled tomato plant as well as mushroom, silent to a greater extent than lambs lettuce as well as chips, every bit The Duke William practise a wonderful sounding steak black each calendar week alongside £15 steaks, as well as a costless bottle of menage vino betwixt two. He enjoyed it, but noted that it did non blow him away; something to ponder for £28 (by far the most expensive dish on the menu) inwards a pocket-size hamlet close Canterbury when the steak is non mouthwatering, fifty-fifty if Hugh Grant sometimes stops by.
The repose of us ordered ane of the specials, body of body of water bass, topped alongside dark-brown shrimp butter served on a bed of blanched curly kale as well as crushed potatoes. It was perfectly executed, total of rich, good balanced flavours, as well as was polished off all around. As the sis to a fish restaurant, you lot know you'll live on inwards expert hands alongside seafood.
Shall nosotros complete off alongside dessert? We're onto to a greater extent than person-predictable dishes here: given the option, both my manful someone nurture as well as I volition ever fellowship ane of our all fourth dimension favourites, Kentish gypsy tart. My Mum makes a hateful one, but the dark-brown sugar/ condensed milk/ cream filled tart is a fleck rich only for the ii of us to swallow a whole one! Perfectly low-cal as well as traditionally flavoured inwards a sweet, sparse pie crust, what actually excited me was the dollop of fresh lemon cream on the site, that perfectly cutting through the intense sweetness of the tart. Honestly, this was ane of the best plates of gypsy tart I've ever had, as well as what I'd recommend over anything else.
While I did non essay it, the rich, warm, only fix chocolate brownie looked super decadent following to a scoop of salted caramel H2O ice cream. I intend the exclusively electrical load at that topographic point was that it was impossible to complete all of the chocolate on the plate; the H2O ice cream had frozen the chocolate nether it stone solid stuck to the plate!
If you're inwards our cervix of the woods, or looking to escape London for the weekend, I'd actually recommend booking at tabular array for a tiffin you lot most sure as shooting won't live on disappointed with. After tiffin (and stopping past times the garden gist for the obligatory British May Bank Holiday visit) nosotros headed over to Barnsole Vineyard inwards Staple for a tasting of their build novel English linguistic communication sparkling vino they've launched this month. But to a greater extent than on that soon!