The Toll Bridge www . thetollbridge . co . uk Sandwich
Situated in the heart of historic Sandwich , The Toll Bridge which sits astride its ancient namesake and boasts idyllic views of the River Stour , has recently undergone a miraculous transformation and now serves up imaginative food crafted by Michelin-starred chef , Shane Hughes . Having perfected his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants Ynyshir , Wales and Thackerays , Tunbridge Wells , Shane joined new owners Jez and Laurence Brown in creating a distinctive menu which respects quality , local produce and serious flavour .
At the heart of The Toll Bridge ’ s food concept lies marinating , smoking and grilling meats , an art which chef Shane is somewhat of an expert . Rich BBQ flavours ensure that every perfectly cooked cut of meat is mouthwateringly delicious , no matter what diners select from the diverse menu that honours American smokehouse style and Korean BBQ cuisine . Choose from tender cuts of beautifully cooked red meats ; perfectly grilled fresh local seafood ; or chicken slowly smoked over beer and be sure your tastebuds will be tantalised .
With a modern and contemporary styled interior , a seated courtyard , alongside an irresistible cocktail menu and carefully chosen local and worldwide wines , The Toll Bridge is rapidly becoming a favourite with locals and visitors alike . ‘ 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 to enjoy good times and great food ,’ new owner Jez Brown tells us , ‘ we want to showcase the finest quality ingredients that Kent has to offer , and with Shane ’ s passion and talent , we believe that The Toll Bridge can deliver this to our guests in the best , most delicious way possible .’
Open Wednesday - Saturday , 12pm - 3pm and 6.30pm - 8.30pm . On Sundays , food , including traditional roast Sunday lunch , is served from 12pm - 5pm .
The Rose Inn www . theroseinn . pub Wickhambreaux , nr Canterbury
Founded some time in the 1300s , The Rose Inn in the beautifully quaint village of Wickhambreux is everything anyone could want from a rustic and charming English pub restaurant . In June 2021 , The Rose Inn was taken over by chef and publican Billy Stock - a London local who swapped his commute for the keys to the pub , bringing his passion for food and community to the Kent countryside . Billy , whose experience has been gathered at award-winning London venues such as St John , The Marksman , and Rochelle Canteen , has made it his goal to bring The Rose Inn back to its former glory by making it a welcoming , easy-going and comfortable space for punters and diners alike .
Billy prides himself on his no-nonsense , rustic and simple approach to cooking , which is reflected in his daily seasonal dishes that champion locallysourced ingredients – with fish coming from Rye , locally baked bread from nearby Littlebourne , as well as other ingredients that magically appear at the doorway daily , such as homegrown ceps from a neighbour ’ s garden ! Trusted supplier relationships have been established with local producers such as Wonky Parsnip , Walmerston Growers and Turners Game . Guests can embrace these local delights through dishes such as partridge , bacon and hedgehog mushrooms ; Dexter beef shin pie ; and whole roast gurnard with fennel and white bean ; as well as tempting desserts like blackberry pavlova , and fig and almond tart .
Visitors are greeted with an open , relaxed space , complete with homely wooden tables , crackling log burners , and traditional hops adorning the ceiling ’ s low Tudor beams . Much of the building ’ s heritage and original structural features remain intact , creating a snug , cosy atmosphere , with a large garden and outdoor bar wonderful for sunnier days .
Open Wednesday - Sunday .
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