insideKENT Magazine Issue 101 - September 2020 | Page 40

FOOD+DRINK
DISCOVER THE QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH PUB
WITH A SETTING LIKE NO OTHER AT
THE ZETLAND ARMS BY SAMANTHA READY
THE ZETLAND ARMS MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE IT ALL, A WARM, FRIENDLY WELCOME,
A MENU BURSTING WITH HOMELY, TRADITIONAL PUB-GRUB CLASSICS, AND AN
ARRAY OF LOCAL BEERS AND ALES FROM ITS STABLE BREWERY, THE ICONIC
FAVERSHAM-BASED SHEPHERD NEAME.
And then there is its location…
Set to the backdrop of grassy white cliffs, mere
minutes from the buzz of Deal on Kingsdown beach,
the waves lap at the pebble shores right on The
Zetland’s doorstep. Whether glorious summer
sunshine or a grey nippy evening, it really is quite
special.
All are welcome here, including your four-legged
family members, making The Zetland the perfect
pit-stop for everything from a quick seaside tipple
or takeaway lunch on the beach, to a satisfying family
meal in a cosy (and socially-distanced) nook.
We arrived children in tow, meandering fresh(!) from
the beach past the hotch-podge of sea-facing, outside
picnic tables, to take up a cosy indoor window side
table. Sitting back, we were able to take in the rustic
exposed brickwork, nautical decor touches and
pictures of yesteryear - showing how remarkably
unchanged this little corner of Kent is.
It’s not just the prime location that sets The Zetland
apart, the service is top class and unobtrusively
friendly, and the team proudly champions all things
local.
Of course with a pub set so close to the sea, the
menu is bursting with tempting seafood that has
been caught fresh from the Kent coast, yet it also
offers a delightful mix of British classics and inspired
vegan offerings. There are daily specials, taking into
account the local catch and seasonal produce, and
interestingly, and with full approval from our small
people, there is no children’s menu here, instead
kids can pick any of the dishes from the main menu
which appear in child-friendly portion sizes.
Whilst one child opted for the perfectly seared steak
burger with crispy fries and watercress, the daily
specials proved too tempting for the rest of us. Mr
R, swayed by the sea, opted for the chermoula
roasted tuna steak, delighted by the Moroccan-style
marinated fish served atop lemon and herb couscous;
whilst I and the other little ones opted for the rump
steak. My huge 10oz offering, and their more than
generous half portions, offered the best steak we’ve
had in Kent for a long time, perfectly seared,
beautifully tender and served with the most delicious
peppercorn sauce I’ve ever had the pleasure of
tasting!
Settled in, relishing in the hospitality and following
the knowing nod from our attentive waitress Kate,
we of course opted for pud. A decision that we didn’t
regret as heaving plates of Biscoff cheesecake, white
chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, sticky toffee
pudding, and an indulgent, oozing, chocolate fudge
cake appeared - all accompanied by rich vanilla ice
cream and jugs of pouring cream.
With specials starting from an impressively reasonable
£11, desserts from just £6 and service that is second
to none - this seaside gem should be top of your
must visits!
The Zetland Arms
Wellington Parade
Kingdown
Deal
CT14 8AF
www.zetlandarms.co.uk
TheZetlandArms
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