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THE EAST KENT , WHITSTABLE
THE ULTIMATE BLEND OF EAST KENT ’ S TRADITIONAL SEASIDE HERITAGE WITH WHITSTABLE ’ S POLISHED IDENTITY AS AN UPMARKET ESCAPE AND SPRINKLED WITH A LITTLE AUSTRALIAN SEASONSONING .
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
This is no ordinary beer garden , so dismiss all preconceived thoughts of pub gardens and patios from your mind . It is instead an oasis bathed in sunshine . Shielded from any wind and whisking spring and summer visitors up and away from the cool British air , this sunny terrace is set to showcase English summertime at its best . With an orange juice ordered and on its way , I join my four insideKENT colleagues and we take in our surroundings . A pergola complete with climbing plants , outdoor heaters and tile-topped tables gives the impression of places on the European Riviera , yet converted beer barrels with high seating and cold glasses of Shepherd Neame ale reminds us that we are , of course , in glorious East Kent .
Perhaps Kent ’ s most sought-after destination by the ocean , Whitstable has always been the forerunner , and has long since crossed the finish line in the race of reinvention between Kent ’ s seaside towns . Yet another arty renaissance has enveloped Whitstable , magnifying its quaintness and celebrating tradition , all the while injecting a new passion for the arts , creativity and activities on the water .
While this neat and pretty little town , with its quintessential highstreet running parallel to the thriving seafront has never strayed far from its coastal heritage , Whitsable has embraced new trends and taken inspiration from other beachy destinations across the globe . One such business that perfectly reflects this expertly curated identity is The East Kent . I find myself marching down said highstreet , adorned with bunting for the coronation and decked out with hanging baskets , on May ’ s sunniest day yet , mouth parched and ready for a drink . Located at one end of the highstreet , The East Kent is no exception to the adornments , with bunting blowing in the breeze and golden lettering glinting in the sunshine : the pub itself stands resplendent against the blue skies of this clear May day . I step inside . A cosy pub complete with dark wood floors , low ceilings and a neat , well-stocked bar with Shepherd Neame on tap greets me . Sunlight floods the room , the doors are open at the back and beyond these lies The East Kent ’ s promising pièce de résistance for the summer .
The pergola is not the only thing that takes up this outdoor space . The garden would not be the marvel it is without the Wood-Fire Kitchen , a lockdown project that has become a much adored and imperative part of the pub since it first welcomed visitors desperate to eat out when eating out was not so viable due to Covid . This ingenious addition sits in its own neat outhouse detached from the pub itself and making up half of one end of the walled garden . Inside , a young female chef throws pizza dough up in the air with all the ease of a seasoned Italian chef . For the table , we of course order two of these freshly baked pizzas , straight from the wood-fired pizza oven ; one margarita and one prosciutto . The pizza base is sensational , not too doughy yet not too dry , a satisfying crunch with a gorgeously floury soft element .
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