FOOD + DRINK
UNRIVALLED VIEWS , A FRIENDLY WELCOME AND FULFILLING WHOLESOME FOOD AWAIT AT ...
THE PEGWELL BAY HOTEL
STANDING RESPLENDENT ON THE CLIFF TOP AT PEGWELL BAY , NESTLED BETWEEN RAMSGATE ’ S ICONIC HARBOUR AND SANDWICH BAY ’ S UNIQUE SHORELINE , THE PEGWELL BAY HOTEL AND ITS FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERING , THE SIR STANLEY GRAY PUB , COMMAND SOME OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE VIEWS OF THE THANET COAST . BY SAMANTHA READY
Part of Thorley Taverns , the group which has been leading the charge for quality pubs , bars , restaurants and hotels in this corner of Kent for over half a century , The Sir Stanley Gray is far more than an average hotel bar or restaurant , not least as residing guests can access it from a unique tunnel under the road !
Arriving as a non-staying evening diner , my entrance may have been through the more typical street front door , but my welcome was every bit as warm and hospitable as that received by staying guests . Arriving early for our table reservation , my guest and I were ushered to the bar area to the left of the pub which shares the outdoor terrace with the restaurant which is set to the right . This affords every visitor , whether nipping in for a cooling pint , stopping by for a quick lunch , or timing a dining reservation to coincide with some pretty spectacular sunset views , the opportunity to take a seat inside the traditionally charming pub / dining room spaces or nab a soughtafter outdoor spot to watch the wave crash below .
We opted initially for the latter , choosing a great seafacing table to enjoy a draft Old Mout Berries &
Cherries , one of a selection of ciders , lagers and ales available here . As pub-goers ebbed and flowed with the tides , some with dogs in tow , we relaxed to the sounds and views of the sea before retiring inside to the restaurant and an indoor table to indulge in the hearty menu .
Offering generous pub grub done well , the menu included classics such as Pegwell prawn cocktail and soup of the day alongside our pick of crisp halloumi fries served with sweet chilli dip .
Mains continued the classic theme , where you ’ ll find the likes of breaded wholetail scampi , ploughman ’ s of gammon ham , pork pie and Cheddar cheese , ham egg and chips , and beer battered cod with homemade tartare , alongside an incredibly tempting burger menu and a range of daily specials which on our evening included chilli con carne , chicken tikka masala and a sweet potato and spinach curry . Swayed by a heaving dish going past to an adjoining table , and a recommendation from the attentive waiting staff , we opted for the minted lamb burger served with a side of zingy tzatziki and the highly recommended southern fried chicken stack , a mound of crispy , zingy chicken goujons topped with melted cheese in a fresh floured bap - all served with homemade ‘ slaw and chunky chips .
My final recommendation is to leave room for pud ! For just £ 6.50 you ’ ll be rewarded with a heaving slab of sweet treat , in our case the house chocolate brownie - perfectly fudgey , gooey and sweet with vanilla ice cream and a huge portion of lemon roulade with crisp meringue , zingy lemon curd and fresh pouring cream .
Welcoming , affordable and wonderfully positioned , The Pegwell Bay Hotel , which serves food from midday to 9pm , offers a fabulous spot to while away a Kentish evening , and leave pleasantly full too !
The Pegwell Bay Hotel 81 Pegwell Road Ramsgate CT11 0NJ www . pegwellbayhotel . co . uk
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