FOOD + DRINK
Edible Bucket List cont ... with red onion and maitake mushrooms . For dessert , a simple custard with chestnut cream is sweet enough to complete a delicious meal out at one of Kent ’ s most inspired and atmospheric restaurants .
thebluepelican . co . uk
A HIDDEN GEM : St Leonard ’ s , West Malling
Standout dish : Apple , cinnamon and blackberry tart with vanilla ice cream , almond crumble and meringue
Where fine British produce meets vibrant seasonal flavours , St Leonard ’ s is a restaurant and private dining room nestled in the picturesque market town of West Malling . From brunch through to dinner , St Leonard ’ s menus are constantly changing to provide a range of dishes to suit all tastes , with classic British cuisine elevated by exotic flavours from around the world . Guests who opt for their à la carte menu can choose from coronation crab with puffed rice or roasted partridge with brioche-pancetta crumb , while their tasting menu offers Korean fried chicken thighs or soused cauliflower and cheddar croquettes .
Most underrated of all are their desserts , with a menu featuring delights such as coffee and almond macarons , vanilla crème brûlée , chocolate choux buns and petit fours . Taking care to construct each dish with creativity , patience and that allimportant flair , an indulgent dessert at St Leonard ’ s is a perfect closure to a classically Kentish fine dining experience .
stleonardskent . co . uk
FOR THE BEST ROAST : Bull Inn , Bethersden
Standout dish : Sunday roast with beef topside
A pub well-loved for its inviting atmosphere and historic charm , the Bull Inn is a muststop on an exploration of Kent ’ s best eateries , serving the best Sunday roast this side of the county . Inside the pub , guests are greeted by their inglenook fireplace , relaxing sofas and board games to entertain all ages . With a large , immaculately kept garden and patio area , the Bull Inn is an ideal place to bring the entire family together for a classic Sunday lunch .
Served with roast potatoes , a selection of vegetables , stuffing , gravy and a Yorkshire pudding , guests can choose from a variety of meat and non-meat options for their plate : beef topside , lamb shoulder , chicken breast , pork belly or nut roast . With the option of additional sides , their Sunday roasts start at just £ 15 per person and pair perfectly with their pub-favourite desserts of sticky toffee pudding , apple crumble and crème brûlée . Serving delicious meals with small-town charm , the Bull Inn is an excellent place to bring the family together for a post-Christmas celebration .
bullinnbethersden . co . uk
MOST LOVED BY LOCALS : Quince , Westgate on Sea
Standout dish : Charred mackerel with sweet pickled rhubarb and lovage
Offering relaxed dining within their neighbourhood bistro , Quince fuse their British and Spanish heritage into their menu with honest , flavour-focused and constantly evolving cooking that responds to the seasons and locally available ingredients . Quince ’ s dining room is considered a home away from home for the locals that frequent it , and the warm , friendly service is an unparalleled aspect of the dining experience .
Quince ’ s menus feature fresh , flavourful and elevated dishes from lamb and pistachio terrine to truffled cauliflower and pork tenderloin . For dessert , guests can order their popular brown sugar panna cotta , pairing the dish with a glass of local wine . For those who haven ’ t yet visited Quince , their Sunday lunch menu is a must-try , with three courses for £ 29.50 or two for £ 26 , making it a perfect spot for a meal out by the Kentish seaside .
quincewestgate . co . uk
WHERE ART MEETS FOOD : Palette Pizza , Tunbridge Wells
Standout dish : The Emin - white base , blue cheese , mozzarella , peaches , garlic oil , honey and walnuts
A sourdough pizza restaurant and art gallery , Palette Pizza provides a quirky and unique place to eat for all the art enthusiasts and curious minds out there wondering how exactly pizza and paintings pair so well together . Open Monday for takeaways and walk-ins , then Wednesday to Sunday for sit-down diners , Palette has an eclectic , colourful interior with lime-washed walls and wooden tables , inviting guests to enjoy their delicious slices in their bright and airy restaurant .
Palette Pizza ’ s menu is just what you ’ d expect from a small business : service with a smile , incredible dishes and a unique premise you won ’ t find anywhere else . From their tables , guests can bathe in the creative energy of Palette ’ s art-plastered walls while enjoying pizzas named after the most iconic painters of our time . With options including the Mona Lisa : straight up margarita , the Picasso with nduja , salami and Parmesan , and the Frida Kahlo with tomato , halloumi and garlic mayonnaise , Palette Pizza are serving up slices of inspiration for their guests this new year .
palettepizzaandart . co . uk
THE BLUE PELICAN
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