FOOD + DRINK
KENT SUCCESS IN ESTRELLA DAMM TOP 50 GASTROPUBS CONT .
THE DOG AT WINGHAM
THE KENTISH HARE
No 12 . The Kentish Hare , Bidborough
Two minds really are better than one – a cliché brothers Chris and James Tanner hold true .
Celebrating more than 20 years in the sector with restaurants in Devon and their award-winning gastropub The Kentish Hare , which they launched in 2014 , there ’ s no denying the duo have created something very special .
The pub has been a labour of love for the pair since its launch , with every inch of it retaining that ‘ justmade ’ look , while also being homely and inviting . “ The site that we ’ re sat on now was actually to be knocked down completely and flats to be built on it ,” explains James . “ We ’ re in a lovely semi-rural village , close to London and close to two big towns . We saw a market for commuters and for locals .
“ The site is beautiful now , but it needed some serious TLC . And I mean serious . We thought can we do it ? Shall we do it ? And we did and I ’ m so pleased that we did .”
The pub is split almost 50:50 into dining and bar space , which has been done purposefully so the pub can have a real community feel . There ’ s also a generous garden at the back with ample seating , but the focus is mostly on the food , which makes sense as that ’ s where the brothers ’ talents lie , but that doesn ’ t mean drinks aren ’ t important to the business .
Menus are tastefully curated with a selection of dishes to ensure diners will return more than once , with two courses priced at £ 28 and three for £ 32 . Dishes have included White Lake Farm goats ’ curd with heritage beetroots , walnut , clementine and bitter leaves ; pork coppa with pearl barley , salt baked celeriac and cavolo nero ; and Bramley apple crumble served with clotted cream .
No 40 . The Duck Inn , Pett Bottom
Pett Bottom itself is a small settlement just five miles south of Canterbury , with stunning views and lovely countryside walks on offer .
A warm welcome and a home-from-home atmosphere awaits guests and the pub ’ s fabulous chefs are always coming up with new and exciting seasonal dishes , meaning the menu changes daily .
Dishes , which are all served in a relaxed environment at the pub set in the picturesque Kent countryside , have included beetroot salad with goats ’ curd , blackcurrant and hazelnuts ; tempura haddock , Durban curry mayonnaise with coriander and lime ; and duck liver parfait with cherries , sauternes jelly and toasted brioche to start .
For mains , choices have included wild mushroom and summer vegetable linguine with aged Parmesan and lemon dressing ; pan-fried skate with Jersey royals , lemon , capers and cockle butter ; and confit pork belly with glazed cheek , mash , tenderstem broccoli and apricot puree .
To end , diners can delighted in flourless chocolate cake with raspberries and honeycomb and raw crème fraiche ; vanilla and mascarpone cheesecake with local strawberries and strawberry sorbet ; and lemon and kaffir lime leaf posset with coconut crumble and coconut sorbet .
No 45 . The Dog at Wingham , Wingham
Recently departed head chef Samuel McClurkin brought the gastropub to the front of everyone ’ s minds when competing on MasterChef : the Professionals , as well as being named Best Young Pub Chef of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards 2021 .
The pub offers a range of carefully selected and interesting drinks from wines , beers , spirits and soft drinks to ensure every taste is catered for .
For mains , dishes have included pressed polenta with parsley sauce , baby carrots , pickled shallots and feta cheese ; wild mushroom risotto with summer black truffle , Parmesan and crème fraiche ; pan-fried cod with buttered beans , watercress , lemon verbena and basil beurre blanc ; and black garlic risotto , pickled shimeji , with pecorino romano for vegetarians .
Those with a sweet tooth can choose from an impressive dessert menu ranging from toasted coconut and green cardamom rice pudding to milk chocolate mousse , served with candied kumquats and vanilla ice cream .
The pub took home the title of Front of House Team of the Year at last year ’ s Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards . Of the win , judges said : “ The standards of service at this year ’ s winner have continued to improve from an already near perfect position . The team at The Dog at Wingham really do go that extra mile to ensure every diner and drinker ’ s experience in the pub is topnotch . From the chefs in the kitchen , to the bar staff and frontof-house , your experience at this pub will be secondto-none .”
“ AFTER A TOUGH TWO YEARS FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY , WE ARE THRILLED TO SEE SUCH A STRONG LIST OF CONTENDERS THIS YEAR , INCLUDING A NEW NUMBER ONE AND SEVERAL NEW ENTRANTS ! THE TOP 50 GASTROPUBS PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR FOOD LOVERS TO EXPLORE THE VERY BEST OFFERINGS ACROSS THE UK .”
CHRIS LOWE , PUBLISHER , TOP 50 GASTROPUBS
82