FOOD + DRINK
MR WHITE ’ S CHOPHOUSE , DOVER
FIRST OPENING ITS DOORS IN NOVEMBER 2018 , MARCO PIERRE WHITE ’ S EPONYMOUS MR WHITE ’ S CHOPHOUSE HAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AMONGST THOSE IN THE KNOW AS THE GO-TO DINING SPOT ALONG THIS WHITE-CLIFF FRAMED SWATHE OF OUR ACCLAIMED KENTISH COASTLINE , YET REMARKABLY IT STILL HAS AN AIR OF HIDDEN GEM ABOUT IT .
BY SAMANTHA READY
Situated within the charmingly elegant and recently refurbished and extended Dover Marina Hotel , the restaurant brings a dash of classic British dining with a touch of Georgian architectural elegance , all while offering stunning sea views . Our recent visit revealed not just a restaurant , but an experience - a true celebration of timeless dishes , faultless service and a setting that feels at once sophisticated yet relaxed .
Let ’ s begin with the concept . True to Marco Pierre White ’ s philosophy of simplicity done well , Mr White ’ s Chophouse revolves around high-quality ingredients and classic recipes reimagined with flair . This isn ’ t just a steakhouse , it ’ s a love letter to hearty , comforting dishes and some cleverly curated cocktails , all crafted with impeccable attention to detail .
The interiors speak to this ethos . With dark wood furnishings , plush leather banquettes and a warm , understated colour palette , the space exudes refinement without pretension . Add to that the soft glow of ambient lighting and panoramic Georgian arched windows framing the Dover seafront and you have a dining room that ’ s equally suited to a romantic evening as it is a lively family gathering .
A table of four , it was as the latter that we settled in for what promised to be an indulgent afternoon family meal . Starting with the French onion soup as recommended by Revati , our wonderful server for whom nothing was too much trouble throughout our entire afternoon , we were immediately struck by the depth of flavour - a rich , caramelised broth crowned with melted cheese and crusty bread , even the littlest Readys were full of praise for the layers of flavour . The calamari was equally satisfying , its golden batter perfectly crisp , giving way to tender squid , with a bright , tangy aioli for dipping . Both dishes struck a balance between simplicity and sophistication , and set the tone for the courses to come .
For mains , we couldn ’ t resist the sharer chateaubriand - a dish as indulgent as it is iconic . The beef arrived cooked to mediumrare perfection , its tender , juicy slices practically melting in the mouth . Paired with a side of highly recommended dauphinoise potatoes that were rich , creamy and utterly irresistible , it took every ounce of restraint not to lick the bowl . While known for its chophouse grill cuisine , Mr White ’ s also offers a range of tasty main course dishes . The chicken Kiev was a nostalgic nod to a classic , but came delivered in huge handcrafted form , its crunchy golden coating giving way to a luscious , garlic butter centre . For Jaxon , the youngest diner at our table , the kids ’ steak and fries was a triumph - a smaller portion of steak cooked to perfection hitting that sweet spot of being cooked through enough while not charred to oblivion , he promptly devoured it and the side order of crispy , Kauffman golden fries and most of my own Kauffman chunky chips too ! It ’ s a testament to the restaurant ’ s inclusivity that even the children ’ s menu receives such care and attention .
Sated , and also having been encouraged to try the restaurant ’ s cocktail and mocktail menu by manager Bhuvan ( as equally as effervescent as his proudly passionate team ), we were soon swept up in the “ You must try the Hell ’ s Kitchen cheesecake !”... and … “ what do you mean you want to share ? Have a sticky toffee pudding too ! It ’ s so good !” excitement that we soon found ourselves indulging in both ! The sticky toffee pudding was indeed good ; a comforting classic , its dense but moist sponge was bathed in a rich toffee sauce and topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream . But , indeed as promised , the cheesecake stole the show - light and creamy with a tangy blueberry compote , it was just delightful .
Mr White ’ s Chophouse doesn ’ t just deliver excellent food , it offers an experience that marries great taste with great hospitality . The team here strikes that delicate balance of attentiveness without intrusion , ensuring every diner feels like a VIP .
For anyone visiting Dover - or lucky enough to call it home - Mr White ’ s Chophouse is a must . Whether you ’ re here for a celebratory dinner , a relaxed family meal , or simply to enjoy a slice of Marco Pierre White ’ s culinary legacy , one thing is certain : you ’ ll leave both full and delighted .
mpwrestaurants . co . uk / our-brands / mrwhites-english-chophouse / dover mrwhitesenglishchophouse
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