SUNDAY LUNCH AT
FOOD + DRINK
SUNDAY LUNCH AT
THE GARDEN ROOM
AT PORT LYMPNE RESERVE
PORT LYMPNE ’ S THE GARDEN ROOM IS WITHOUT A DOUBT IN OUR TOP RANKS FOR A READY MEAL OUT . PERHAPS YOU HAVE STUMBLED ACROSS THE RESERVE ’ S HIDDEN-GEM MANSION HOUSE WHILST SAFARI-ING ACROSS THE KENTISH PLAINS IN SEARCH OF RHINOS , GORILLAS , LIONS , TIGERS , AND THE ODD DINOSAUR TOO , OR PERHAPS YOU ’ LL BE ONE OF THE ONES ABOUT TO BE LET INTO OUR BEST KEPT SECRET ; THE 1920 ’ S HOTEL AND DINING OFFERING ELEVATED ABOVE THE RESERVE ’ S 600 ACRES , BOASTING A BEAUTIFUL DINING ROOM IN A VERY UNIQUE LOCATION . BY SAMANTHA READY
Now , it is no secret among those that know me best that amongst some more questionable dining choices ( I have been known to consume an entire Terry ’ s Chocolate Orange … for breakfast …) and some expected epicurean award-winning treasures , my go-to fave , death-row if you will , meal is a good ol ’ fashioned Sunday roast . Hence why , the moment the sun sneaks behind a cloud the balmier weather salads * (* which actually never seem to happen ) are immediately replaced every end of the weekend with a wholesome , family-focused Sunday lunch .
And what is better than a home-cooked , bursting with all the trimmings Sunday roast ? A wonderful Sunday roast that you haven ’ t had to prepare ( or wash up !) yourself , of course !
Now throw in a laid-back but still beautifully refined dining space , a friendly welcome , and a menu of Kentish produce-led delights by head chef Lee Edney and his team , and you are onto even more of a winner if you are lucky enough , as we were , to snare a sought-after Sunday table in The Garden Room restaurant .
Designed by Victoria Aspinall with the aim of creating a relaxed garden experience , the dining space is beautiful . Its signature orangery-style high roof floods the space with natural light . There are swathes of greenery across the walls , while the original arched windows and doorways are echoed in arched mirrors on the walls , bouncing yet more light and reflecting greenery in every direction .
Practical as well as stylish , the tiled floor opens into a perfectly spaced restaurant . Framed to the right by a sleek bar , it offers a mix of small and large farmhouse-style tables spaced to cater for intimate couples or larger family groups . It is light , airy and comfortably modern , and offers a great laid-back space for all-day dining ; whether you plan to venture around the park or have come for pure dining pleasures alone .
Bursting with local produce – seasonal vegetables are picked fresh from their market garden near Howletts , while artisan local producers supply dairy , meat and fish – all the menus here are mouthwateringly tempting , and Sunday is no exception .
Guests have the option of either a two- or threecourse set menu from which we choose a heaving slab of fresh burrata , the broccoli and quinoa croquette with rich beetroot salsa and , table favourite , the delicate pea soup to start – there were huge garlic dough balls for the kids too . Next , hearty plates of roast beef and chicken were delivered , with parsnip puree , spring greens , roasted carrots and , most importantly in my humble opinion , some top tier roasties , perfectly crisp on the outside , flavours of rosemary and garlic and lovely and fluffy in the middle – hurrah ! Luckily the menu ( which also offers a fish and veggie option alongside its classic burger ) offers the option for adding additional roasties if you so wish too . Full , but reluctant to turn down pud , we opted for the chocolate brownie ; a huge fudgey slab smothered in rich chocolate sauce , the red berry crumble ; bursting with seasonal fruits served with local vanilla ice cream , and the creamy , zesty lemon posset in a very generous serving .
Now that , in my hedonistic roast opinion , is honestly worth the visit alone . However , amongst the commitment to provenance , those rather good roasties and some effortlessly friendly service , this Sunday lunch spot offers a very special pre- or postlunch addition …
For being set amongst the rolling acres of the Port Lympne Reserve , you are dining literally amongst the animals . So it was unsurprising that as soon as dinner had been enjoyed , the littlest Readys were off for some animal viewing pleasure . On this occasion we had timed our lunch to perfection , for while we had just finished ours , the animals were just starting to be fed ! We were able to watch the gibbons snacking on their fresh fruits , the gorillas excitedly running with their vegetables and , in a very lucky moment , saw tiger Amura be called by her keeper and fed her own Sunday beef lunch ! That surely has to be a contender for Kent ’ s top Sunday lunch ?
Served 12.30pm - 7.30pm every Sunday , The Garden Room ’ s roast menu is available from £ 33pp for 2 courses and £ 38pp for 3 courses for park members or overnight guests . Local residents can book a table for £ 42pp for 2 courses or £ 47pp for 3 courses , including admission to the stunning grounds and gardens of Port Lympne Mansion . For a £ 6 supplement , guests can gain full access to the reserve and Port Lympne ’ s iconic safari experience .
The Garden Room Port Lympne Reserve Aldington Road Lympne Hythe CT21 4LR www . aspinallfoundation . org / garden-room
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