KENTSTAYCATION
Special Occasion Stays cont ...
GARDENIA RESTAURANT AT
EASTWELL MANOR
AS REGULAR READERS WILL KNOW , EASTWELL MANOR HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART . FROM THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHARM OF MANICURED LAWNS AND ROSE GARDENS TO THE STATELY PRESENCE OF THE MAIN ELEGANT MANOR HOUSE , THE CHAMPNEYS ’ APPROACH TO WELLBEING AND HIDDEN TREASURES INCLUDING ITS SOUGHT-AFTER OUTDOOR POOL COMPLETE WITH CHAMPAGNE BAR AND QUAINT MEWS COTTAGES , THE ONE THING THAT THIS GLORIOUS HISTORIC ESTATE DOES NOT DO IS EITHER REST ON ITS LAURELS OR BE AFRAID OF CONSIDERED CHANGE . BY SAMANTHA READY
Located a short distance from Ashford in the heart of Eastwell Park , Eastwell Manor , an 18thcentury former Earl ’ s residence and now a Champneys ’ run hotel and spa , sits proudly at the end of its gravel drive amongst perfectly sculptured lawns and glorious countryside views , and offers elegantly furnished and comfortably appointed rooms and suites in both the historic house and its refurbished mews cottages . Its latest update , however , comes in the form of a reinvigorating new dining menu at its now appropriately titled Gardenia restaurant .
With an acclaimed past , the restaurant here has been through many guises : fine French cookery , modern British brasserie dining , health-conscious retreat plates , and now ( at last ), a new take on farm-to-table dining .
Monikered ‘ where flavour blooms ’, Gardenia is quite fortunate to be nestled not only within the beautifully landscaped and manicured grounds of the stately manor , but also in the heart of The Garden of England surrounded by Natural Landscapes ( formally Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty ), which of course is bursting with the fresh , local produce from which the new menu sings .
Under the helm of new head chef David Terrell , who earned his kitchen stripes hands-on in event catering and as a private chef , the new dining experience is designed to celebrate the finest locally sourced ingredients , which are prepared simply and carefully . Don ’ t be under any misconception though , simple does not mean basic . Dishes are beautifully presented and delivered with efficient ease by the friendly team who make knowing recommendations , too .
To a backdrop of serene elegance enhanced by Gothic stone arched windows framing the grounds beyond , contemporary touches of modern heavy drapes and stylish fluted
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