FOOD + DRINK
BURSTING WITH CHARACTER , HYTHE ’ S ULTIMATE BEACHFRONT SPOT ,
THE WATERFRONT ,
PROMISES FAR MORE THAN SEAFOOD AND CHAMPAGNE .
WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU CROSS GAZZA , JAMES DEAN , JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE AND A HORSE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT ’ S GALLOPED STRAIGHT OFF A CAROUSEL TO PROP UP THE SLICK MARBLE BAR ? NOW , HANDS UP WHO WOULDN ’ T HAVE SAID A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ? WELL , PREPARE TO REFRAME YOUR IDEA OF EVERYTHING A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT SHOULD BE AND INSTEAD IMAGINE WHAT IT COULD BE … REFLECTING THE OWNER ’ S CLEAR PENCHANT FOR COLLECTIBLES WHILE MAINTAINING AN AIR OF SOPHISTICATION AND A SIDE-SERVING OF FUN , HYTHE SEAFRONT ’ S EXTENSIVELY REFURBISHED AND REBRANDED THE WATERFRONT IS A SENSORY EXPERIENCE THAT GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN TASTE .
The first thing that happens as you enter the restaurant is that your shoulders drop in relaxation ; bathed in a pink light that soothes the soul , the main dining space is gently flooded with natural sunlight by a huge skylight and the vitamin D hits immediately . Cocktails spring to mind and the menu doesn ’ t disappoint . The aim of the refurb / rebrand ( the restaurant was formerly known as Hythe Bay ) was to refocus on a simpler , more refined menu of fresh seafood and cocktails , alongside all the usual bar staples – if you want to kick your lunch off with the citrussy kick of a pornstar Martini , no problem ; equally , if you fancy a pint , there ’ s ciders , lagers and IPA on draft .
Having spied six fresh oysters gleaming from a bed of ice on my way in , all I could think about was New Zealand sauvignon blanc , which I opted for immediately – along with the oysters . There ’ s nothing like the gooseberry , grapefruit and passionfruit pop of a crisp glass of white wine paired with the salty , spicy ( I like mine with Tabasco ) acidity of a plump oyster to elevate one ’ s aperitif game , and The
Waterfront have got their pre-starter ‘ From the Sea ’ and ‘ From the Bar ’ menu spot on .
It ’ s widely understood that oysters aren ’ t for everyone of course ( although praise must go to Jess , one of our fab editorial team , who tentatively tasted one for the first time ever and loved it ), so other ‘ From the Bar ’ options include a classic half pint of prawns , crispy whitebait with aioli , and a king prawn crayfish cocktail , all of which pair perfectly with a glass of Champagne or Prosecco to ease you in .
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