NEW RESTAURANT FOR SQUERRYES WINE ESTATE
FOOD + DRINK
Visitors to the award-winning Squerryes Wine Estate in Westerham can now enjoy the quintessential setting of an English vineyard allyear-round thanks to the opening of The Bottle Store restaurant .
Housed in the original winery , set right at the heart of the 300-year-old Squerryes estate , the restaurant is designed with four main areas that reflect the venue ’ s unique features : bottles , boxes , barrels , and windows .
Diners can expect a changing menu of delicious dishes , on the brasseriestyle menu created by celebrated chef , Alexander Balillieu . Delights include foraged wild mushrooms from the Squerryes estate , Northiam dairy cream and parmesan ; slow-cooked Sussex beef cheeks with herb dumplings ; and line-caught Rye Bay sea bass with caramelised fennel from the restaurant ’ s kitchen garden .
The menu is complemented by Squerryes own award-winning
vintage sparkling wines , as well as an extensive wine list designed by resident Master of Wine , Laura Evans – one of only 151 female MWs in the world .
Diners can also enjoy Laura ’ s expertly-selected wine pairings together with a special three-course lunch menu and seven-course chef ’ s tasting menu ( available at dinner only ).
“ Situated in the original home of our business , The Bottle Store restaurant really connects people with the craft of winemaking and , with views across the vines and wider estate , is a truly unique place for a meal with friends and family ,” comments Squerryes ’ owner , Henry Warde . “ At Squerryes , our motto is ‘ Licet Esse Beatis ’, meaning ‘ it is permitted to be joyful ’ and that ’ s exactly the experience we aim to achieve through our seasonal dishes , glorious sharing plates and of course , fabulous wine .”
MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF BRINGS FRESH FLAVOURS TO HISTORIC SANDWICH
The Toll Bridge Restaurant and Bar in Sandwich is enjoying a renaissance with new owners Jez Brown and Laurence Brown having transformed the outdated , run-down restaurant into a lively and thriving business . Set in the heart of historic Sandwich in Kent , The Toll Bridge serves up imaginative food designed by Michelin-starred chef , Shane Hughes ( Ynyshir , Thackerays ), alongside irresistible cocktails and carefully chosen local and worldwide wines .
With an ethos of offering great service , food , and affordability , the unique food concept places marinating and smoking centre stage . Celebrating authentic BBQ flavours and ensuring every bite has depth of flavour , diners can choose from tender five-hour smoked pork ribs ; perfectly grilled fish ; or chicken slowly smoked over beer and much more .
Head chef Shane Hughes joined the new owners at The Toll Bridge in 2020 creating a distinctive menu which respects quality , local produce and packs a flavour punch .
“ Sandwich already has some great pubs offering traditional pub food , so we really wanted to introduce something a little different at The Toll Bridge . Inspired by the American smokehouse style and Korean BBQ dishes , we have created a menu which explores smoking , barbequing , and grilling , with beautiful cuts of meat , fresh local seafood and marinated vegetables ”, Shane explained .
Complementing the new food menu , The Toll Bridge is also established as the destination for the finest selection of cocktails , from espresso martinis to strawberry daiquiris or alcohol-free mocktails .
The restaurant has been extensively refurbished inside and out with new and old customers in mind . “ Along with the new team here , we have put our heart and soul into this place , and the reward for us has been seeing people come together with their friends and family once again , enjoying good times and great food here at The Toll Bridge ” commented new owner Jez Brown .
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