FOOD + DRINK
THE GARDEN ROOM CONT .
With a generously stocked bar promising tantalising welcome cocktails , our party of four tapped across the Moroccan-tiled floor to our table at the other side of this spacious and airy venue - a quiet corner partly made up of the bench-come-sofa seating that runs its way around the edge of the space . Despite The Garden Room ’ s ability to embody a formal elegance fit for special occasion dinners and ‘ dos ’, I see how the venue also lends itself to embracing the more laissez-faire side of its persona , one that perhaps comes out with the bistro-style lunch menu during the day and is hinted at through the comfy tapestry cushions that sit perfectly ‘ chopped ’ waiting for diners to recline and relax into them .
Feeling as though we were on our holidays abroad before we were even handed the extensive drinks menu , we opted for a selection of botanical cocktails including a cherry Martini and pornstar Martini . Beautifully presented and refreshingly chilled , they are the ideal beginning to what promises to be a delectable meal . After chattering contentedly in what proves to be a perfectly spaced venue that manages to strike that difficult balance between joviality and so much noise that you struggle to hear your companions speak , we pore over what ’ s clearly a meticulously crafted menu . Cleverly reflecting the venue ’ s ‘ garden ’ element , the menu has a clear focus on English garden-grown herbs , vegetables and fruits , alongside locally reared and sourced , meats and fish .
One of Kent ’ s most coveted seafood treasures is of course the Whitstable rock oyster , a ‘ garden bite ’ that immediately captures my attention . Three of these delectable little morsels arrive at our table in shallot vinegar , alongside a plate of beautifully light and fluffy homemade focaccia bread , which is warm , topped with crystal salt flakes and sitting next to two little bowls of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping . Accompanying the focaccia is a generous portion of seaweed butter , which I promise fellow butter and salt lovers , is a divinely creamy yet perfectly salty treat to spread and melt into that soft sweet focaccia bread .
Next comes our starters , which , if you are foodies like us , are best chosen in order to sample the variety of the menu and thus shared among the table . A milky-white creamy burrata sits atop a delicate bed of heritage beetroot , lamb ’ s lettuce and pomegranate molasses when I plunge my knife into its soft centre , immediately setting the tone for the remarkable freshness of the coming dishes . Yellowfin tuna sashimi provides a further touch of Asian flavour to an evening that has already proven to be a glorious melting-pot of cultural influences . The tuna has a gorgeous texture that is not only satisfying to sink the teeth into , but also has a delicate flavour . The Applewood cheese croquettes are crisp golden balls that encase the creamy melting goodness of the flavourful cheese inside and sit neatly on a bed of Niçoise salad , honey and mustard dressing . At this point , I am very thankful that my company at dinner are the sharing types , as sampling the different starters at The Garden Room is a real must , especially for food lovers that appreciate the use of local and artisan produce .
Having been introduced to our meal with such a smack of flavour , we cautiously move onto the mains wondering if they will be able to carry the baton of high-standards that their two predecessors so eloquently presented us with . My companions choices included a trio of Orchard Farm pork with savoy cabbage , morcilla croquette , creamed potato and cider sauce ; roasted cod fillet with chorizo , saffron and mushroom risotto with chimichurri dressing ; and what proves to be a real showstopper when placed on the table - grilled king prawns - jawdroppingly large and succulent , they arrived upon a grilled vegetable panzanella salad and covered in garlic and lemon butter . I opted for the twice-baked Ashmore cheese souffle accompanied by leek fondue and tenderstem broccoli . The broccoli was beautifully fresh and cooked to perfection - tender with that necessary crunch that induces a sweet , distinctive flavour . The souffle itself was wonderfully light and airy alongside the strong established flavours of the leek and creamy cheese fondue . It is a course that has left me comfortably full , feeling content and with enough room to sample some dessert .
After yet again poring over the menu with indecisiveness , I finally settled for vanilla crème brulée , a favourite of mine that has yet to disappoint . Other choices from the table include milk chocolate and caramel delice with passion fruit and hazelnut ; raspberry and pistachio choux bun with raspberry sauce ; and a seasonal , fresh fruit salad with poached fruits , seasonal berries and lemon sorbet . As always , I order a flat white to go alongside my crème brulée - a good coffee is of course a true testament to a good meal . The coffee does not disappoint and is the ultimate addition to the rich and indulgent crème brulée that ’ s topped with traditional melted brown sugar and cracks with a satisfying ‘ snap ’ when I tap my spoon into it . The pudding also consists of an accompanying lemon and raisin cookie - freshly baked with a beautifully crumbly , cookie consistency . A satisfyingly sweet end to a spectacular meal in stunning surroundings .
www . aspinallfoundation . org / port-lympne / restaurants / the-garden-room 01303 234 101
portlympnepark
80