GETAWAYS
Part mediveal masterpiece , part stylish contemporary hotel and dining destination , arrival at ABode Canterbury is announced by the beautiful glass canopied entrance sat beneath the upper floor ’ s bay windows framed with the wooden beamed frontage iconic in many of the city ’ s ancient architectural wonders .
Inside , the ancient timber beams support the stylish Champagne Bar , a perfect spot for an arrival tipple or pre-dinner aperitif , while the medieval windows cast light onto the old stone carvings and fireplaces .
Those who have the pleasure of staying have the choice of 72 bedrooms across four categories : Comfortable , Desirable , Enviable and Most Enviable . Our own ( lucky us !) fell into the latter , offering a beautifully spacious 2nd floor room boasting one of those aforementioned bay windows and fabulous city views . Like all the rooms here , the decor is a restful palette of muted country colours and fabrics , with a large library print wallpaper mural framing the huge comfortable bed , simply crying out to be fallen into , but first dinner .
We began in the bar , choosing a classic espresso martini and caipirinha respectively from the mixologist-curated menu . While evident masters of the classics , the team are always keen to reinvent flavour combinations so do ask for recommendations . Aperitifs supped to a background of dappled evening light , it was time to discover the brand-new sharing plate concept and dine at Brasserie ABode .
In a big ( and evidently well-conceived ) departure from the hotel ’ s previous threecourse fine-dining offering , head chef Oliver Joyce ’ s new dining concept is a glorious journey of indulgence across a careful selection of small plate dishes that have been designed to be shared .
Alongside ‘ Nibbles ’, which included a mound of sourdough bread with either herb and onion butters or olive oil and balsamic , and some rather delicious pork belly bites with a sticky apple glaze , dishes span three distinct sections and arrive , cooked to order , in tapas style . From the ‘ Garden ’, we devoured crispy halloumi and chia seed fries with fresh pomegranate yoghurt and perfectly charred and salty padron peppers with shallot dressing . ‘ Fish ’ proffered roasted octopus with chorizo , potato and caper berries , surprisingly refined and unsurprisingly delicious , while the baked haddock soufflé was a dining room fave . ‘ Meat ’ delivered the pleasure of braised ham hock croquettes - perfect cylinders heaving with soft , smokey ham and cheesy goodness paired with a rich mustard aioli , the not-to-be-missed ( and worthy of its recommendation from F & B manager David ) shredded duck salad with Asian-inspired dressing , fresh leaves and superb compressed watermelon , and the dish that evoked memories of nan ’ s Sunday lunch , the braised lamb - a small copper pot of delicately cooked lamb , fresh garden peas , herb-infused jus and smooth potato pureé ; the side of truffle and pecorino chips possibly not needed but utterly worthwhile !
Full in that surprising way that small plate , sociable , sharing dining achieves , we were swayed by the pudding recommendations of sticky toffee pudding ; moist , sweet , lashings of sauce and a fab salted caramel ice cream , alongside the dessert showstopper of craquelin choux bun - an absolute beast of patisserie expertise which was filled with a light passionfruit curd and topped in a final flourish of tableside theatrics in the form of warm milk chocolate poured over the top .
With the new menu available in Brasserie ABode for leisurely lunches , romantic dinners , celebratory occasions , or as a pop in as you please accompaniment to drinks in the bar , it ’ s worthy of a visit on its own . But of course , staying guests also get to indulge one last time with one of the heartiest breakfasts we ’ ve experienced in a while ! Fresh poached eggs on avo toast , raspberry chia seed pudding , crisp freshly baked croissants , or * (* read as ‘ and ’ and I ’ m not even embarrassed !) a full Kentish breakfast ; each dish was an early morning triumph and perfect prelude to a day of Canterbury exploration .
abodehotelsuk abodecanterbury www . abodehotels . co . uk
# WIN
A NIGHT ’ S STAY , DINNER & BREAKFAST AT ABODE CANTERBURY
insideKENT and ABode Canterbury are offering one lucky reader a one-night stay for two in an Enviable room with breakfast and dinner . Simply head to www . insidekent . co . uk / win and visit @ insidekent for more chances to win . Entrants must be over 18 , T & Cs apply . Closing date 31 July 2024 .
www . insidekent . co . uk • 125