FOOD + DRINK
CHAPTER ONE
A FORWARD-THINKING , NEXT-LEVEL DINING EXPERIENCE FROM THE OFFSET , THE STORY OF CHAPTER ONE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE ... JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT IT COULDN ’ T GET ANY BETTER .
BY SAMANTHA READY & ASHLEIGH BRITTEN
A staple local restaurant , with keen out-of-London prices , Chapter One has been putting the ‘ fine ’ in fine dining for decades , proudly boasting three AA Rosettes and a whole host of accolades for its innovative modern European flair . The restaurant-barbrasserie is driven by a passionate and dedicated team , with award-winning executive chef Andrew McLeish having held the helm here for almost two decades . But the last four years have seen the restaurant take the biggest turn yet , when chef , Andrew , and good friend ( now business partner ) Marcel Faulstich took joint partnership in 2017 . Following a major refurbishment in 2019 , the refined concept now takes a more modern approach , tempting guests back time and time again with exceptional variety and quality .
From the faultless first-class service to the contemporary and regularly changing lunch and dinner menus , Chapter One is in its own league . It ’ s been a regular go-to for the insideKENT team over the years for various private-dining experiences and occasions , and is always one of our top recommendations when asked by others where to dine .
Arriving at the restaurant to be greeted by the wonderful Marcel , instead of heading to the main dining room to the left , we were led through into the bar area that has , post-refurb , become a destination in its own right . Another new addition this time though is the breathtaking post-lockdown terrace – a room encompassed by glass and filled with velvet soft furnishings and hanging foliage ; a real statement space .
A bright metallic brass bar takes centre stage , with high-backed green leather bar stools – a place to perch and work your way through the extensive cocktail list . A sea of brass circular tables , bright teal velvet bucket chairs , vivid textured leaf-designed wallcoverings and contemporary framed prints transport you to a tropical oasis of laid-back sophistication .
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