FOOD + DRINK
ALL ABOUT THE LOCAL AT
THE COACH ,
HACKLINGE
BY SAMANTHA READY
THINK BEST RESTAURANTS IN KENT AND IT ’ S LIKELY THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE BEACH STREET RESTAURANTS ’ STABLE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PUBS AND DINING EXPERIENCES WOULD RANK ON YOUR LIST . SINCE OPENING 81 BEACH STREET IN 2005 ( AND BEING NAMED ‘ KENT ’ S BEST RESTAURANT ’ BEFORE THE YEAR WAS OUT ), THE GRANVILLE IN CANTERBURY JOINED THE RANKS A DECADE LATER , SWIFTLY FOLLOWED BY THE COASTGUARD AT ST MARGARET ’ S BAY IN 2017 . SO , IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING OF ITS MOST RECENT ADDITION , THE COACH IN HACKLINGE , AND THE APPOINTMENT OF HEAD CHEF DAVE KIRTON HAS CREATED A NEW SENSE OF EXCITEMENT AT THE MUCH-LOVED PUB THAT HAS SERVED THE AREA FOR HALF A CENTURY .
Demonstrating the same passion for great food and great service - and driven by the fact that the only way to achieve both is to have the best people working together - The Coach stands in a unique location known by many for many years as the ‘ Halfway House ’ as it sits between Kent ’ s beautiful coastal towns of Deal and Sandwich .
Indeed just minutes ’ drive from each and surrounded by rolling fields and countryside , The Coach itself has been reinvigorated , not just by a new dedicated team , but by a sympathetic contemporary refurbishment which delivered a brand-new restaurant , large garden and a relaxing bar area serving traditional Kentish cask ale , distinctive international lagers and Kentish wines by the glass , yet it proudly still retains that welcoming ‘ local pub ’ ethos .
Embodying a contemporary farmhouse aesthetic , The Coach is about clean lines , modern light fittings and Farrow & Ball lovers ’ neutral colours . That said , oakbeamed mantels over wood-burning fires , reclaimed painted farmhouse dining chairs and squishy leather sofas work to bring fabulously welcoming comfort .
Greeted with effortlessly big smiles , the team made light work of seating our multi-gen family of eight plus a pooch , easily taking drinks orders which ranged from coffee to apple juice , a quick pint to cocktails ( it ’ s 7pm somewhere right ?!) all while handing out menus , including kid ’ s options tried and tested on head chef Dave ’ s own family , and offering recommendations across the range of well-conceived modern British dishes and elevated pub classics , all of which make use of local seasonal produce from suppliers including Docker Brewery and Bakehouse , Jenkins & Son Fishmongers in Deal and Stour Valley Butchers in Canterbury .
The menu begins with nibbles , which can be ordered singly or in as a ‘ pick-n-mix ’ of four to share for just £ 20 . The warm Docker sourdough and olive focaccia with herb oil , balsamic , butter and roast garlic hummus was a table must , yet we reluctantly passed over the truffle popcorn and Cumberland sausage roll lured instead by starters of Korean fried chicken - sweet , sticky and spicy with sesame , spring onion and a kick of lime ; and slow-braised brisket and Ashmore cheddar croquettes with a crisp shell that gave way to mornay-sauce heaven , made especially pleasurable with a dunk in its accompanying mustard mayo .
Mains led to a whirlwind of picks across the menu : ‘ Kitchen Special ’ British beef steak and ale pie with crushed new potatoes was an instant flakey pastry hit . The 8oz sirloin and 6oz rump steaks , both perfectly seared and heaving with triplecooked chips were both devoured - with a thumbs-up from our steak connoisseur six year old ! Yet it was the burgers that gave the most excitement . ‘ The Classic ’, a 6oz with extra cheese and bacon added came in a soft brioche bun with crispy fries and moreish celeriac and tarragon slaw , but it was the new ‘ The Coach ’ ( nicknamed the ‘ McBid ’) that gave the biggest “ mmm …” moment - perhaps in a nod to its special sauce inspiration . Sated , relaxed and not wanting to leave , a few hardcore among us dug in for dessert and were rewarded with a slab of fudgy chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and shard of honeycomb , and a sweet sticky date pudding smothered in butterscotch sauce served with vanilla pod ice cream , before we bade a reluctant farewell to smiling waves and a chorus of “ see you soon ”. We arrived as curious first timers and left feeling like regulars - I ’ m sure you will too !
The Coach Hacklinge serves food from 12pm - 9pm Monday to Saturday , and 12pm - 5pm on Sundays with starters from £ 6.50 , mains from £ 14 and desserts from £ 7.20 .
The Coach Hacklinge Hacklinge Deal CT14 0AT
thecoach-hacklinge . co . uk @ thecoachhacklinge
82 • www . insidekent . co . uk