FOOD + DRINK
BRASSERIE AT THE MANOR
SITUATED JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM ASHFORD IN THE HEART OF THE EASTWELL PARK ESTATE , THE BRASSERIE AT THE MANOR IS RENOWNED COUNTRY-ESTATE-COME- LUXURY-CHAMPNEYS-SPA , EASTWELL MANOR ’ S CULINARY JEWEL . OFFERING MODERN BRITISH CUISINE IN A REIMAGINED DINING SPACE , IT PROMISES TO EXCEED YOUR CULINARY EXPECTATIONS EVEN BEFORE WE MENTION THE GLORIOUS SETTING , STUNNING GROUNDS AND ARCHITECTURALLY MAGNIFICENT MANOR BUILDING . . BY SAMANTHA READY
Dating back as far as the Domesday Book , Eastwell Manor has counted notable gentry and a wealth of royalty as previous tenants and guests long before I pitched up for a visit , this time to delight in the manor ’ s notable Brasserie restaurant . Run as a hotel since the 90s , joining the Champneys stable in 2017 proved to be the reinvigorated icing on this manor ’ s cake . Set at the end of a gravel drive amongst perfectly sculptured lawns , carefully tended gardens and in the midst of glorious countryside views , like a hidden gem enclosed in its high brick perimeter walls , a significant refurbishment project has taken place across the entire site - magnificent manor house , standalone spa complex , quaint cottages , and fireside lounges have all been elevated to new stature … and the oak-panelled home of the Brasserie is no exception .
One of the key things for me to stress is that Eastwell Manor is not just a staying guest ’ s paradise . Indeed , day visitors who are lucky to snare an in-demand booking can visit for drinks in the bar or terrace , a renowned Champagne afternoon tea in the fireside lounge or , like us , can visit for dinner in the Brasserie at The Manor restaurant .
When you are lucky enough to snare an in-demand table , I highly recommend that you commence your evening in the aforementioned lounge .
Set against the backdrop of the rolling landscaped gardens , and offering outdoor tables on the pretty terrace on warmer days , the Lounge Bar is the perfect pitstop for a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of fizz . My guest and I were lucky to nab a window-side table , the gothicesque arched windows framing the rolling North Downs beyond providing the perfect backdrop for our carefully chosen cocktails from The Manor ’ s signature list . We delicately supped our respective Manor Star - Eastwell ’ s take on the pornstar with vodka , Chambord , vanilla syrup and passionfruit - and an Eastwell Sour featuring Kentish favourite Dockyard Gin , Kwai Feh lychee liqueur , lemon juice and egg white , while taking in the laid back yet luxury space - think heavy textured drapes and slick rich-toned leather offset with gilded lamps and golden touches against the backdrop of heritage stone fireplaces … Heaven .
Drinks devoured , we headed to the dining room , shown past the Hogwarts-esque centralised row of neat tables in the centre of the historic dining room to a cosy table for two in a secluded spot at the rear of the room . Now , it ’ s not an easy task to take a Kentish treasure , steeped in history , and reimagine it for an eclectic mix of spa , resident and visiting diners , but that is exactly what the team here have achieved . The glorious large stone fireplace still dominates and original windows remain , the latter now offset with luxe neutral drapes for a modern finish . Seating is a mix of secluded scalloped booths with an art deco edge , curved banquettes , and low-backed dark green leather chairs aside dark wooden tables . The result is a contemporary and welcoming space that offers the perfect space to showcase the British-with-a- European-twist menu .
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