FOOD + DRINK
Decadent Delights & Festive Feasts cont...
Some would say that Christmas is synonymous with food, and in our spirited foodie county, they couldn’ t be more right. While the decades behind us have written beloved recipes of brandy-soaked puddings and turkey with all the trimmings into tradition, today’ s festive dining lineup is an all the more adventurous affair. With Kent’ s array of culinary masters at the helm, this time of year is a true celebration of local seasonal produce paired with finesse and festivity. So, whether you’ re brunching with bubbles, dining in pure sparkly splendour or seeking all the comfort and joy of the classics, it’ s right here in Kent that you’ ll find the perfect ingredients to make this Christmas a special one.
SEASONAL BRUNCHING AND LUNCHING
A cosy Christmas is promised when festive brunching and lunching at Kent’ s relaxed dining hotspots.
OAD STREET FOOD & CRAFTS, BORDEN oadstreetfoodandcrafts. com
Winter dining doesn’ t get much cosier than Oad Street’ s four luxurious pods, nestled in the café’ s picturesque courtyard and dressed with faux fur throws and blankets, twinkly lighting and toasty heating. Settle in with a bucks fizz and enjoy a relaxed soundtrack while sharing a signature Brunch Board stacked with freshly baked cinnamon buns, bagels, sausages, bacon, smashed avocado, sweet waffles and seasonal fruits. Over the weekend, Oad Street’ s Afternoon Tea Boards are a tempting alternative, complete with unlimited tea or cafetière coffee.
FED ON THE GREEN, BEARSTED fedonthegreen. com
A stylish neighborhood café built upon a passion to bring people together over great food and drink, Fed on the Green makes for an excellent choice for festive brunching. Made fresh daily with top local produce, plates brim with love and flavour, think French toast, buttermilk pancakes, eggs
BOWLEYS aplenty and tasty breakfast bites, all served in a welcoming space that feels like the perfect retreat from the winter chill. For larger gatherings, Fed’ s sister company, Fabulously Fed, brings indulgence straight to you with their lavish grazing boards piled high with delicious cheese and charcuterie or bespoke catering options.
CHRISTMAS WITH KENT’ S ELITE PUBS elitepubs. com / christmas
Comprising an array of wonderful locations across the county- including The Wishful Thinker in Lenham, The Farm House in West Malling and The Pig & Sty in Bethersden- Elite Pubs has got Christmas dining covered in every corner of Kent. For something extra special, gather your nearest and dearest and step into one of their enchanting Forest Lodge adventure shacks. Cosily decorated and perfectly private, these delightful dining spaces offer the ideal scene to linger over festive lunches of hearty dishes such as Kentish game terrine, Romney Marsh lamb and ever-pleasing pud, yule log.
FESTIVE FINE DINING
Opulence and seasonal splendour is served at these acclaimed restaurants where festive dining is crafted to perfection.
ROCKSALT, FOLKESTONE rocksaltfolkestone. co. uk
Smart, chic and cantilevered over Folkestone Harbour, Rocksalt impresses before a dining experience here even begins. Two AA Rosette award-winning, this revered restaurant and bar is gearing up for a Christmas to remember with a dining lineup fit for every kind of celebration. Rocksalt’ s Christmas party menus are available from 26 November until Christmas Eve lunch, and their Christmas feasts offer exquisite sharing dishes and a sparkling setting perfect for larger groups. Rightfully taking centre stage this year is the restaurant’ s seven-course Christmas lunch menu served exclusively on Christmas Day which, staying true to their ethos of seasonal Kentish food at its best, showcases quality dishes such as an Orchard Park Farm pork tenderloin Wellington and a selection of cheeses from the Cheesemakers of Canterbury.
THE FERRY HOUSE, HARTY theferryhouse. co. uk
FERRY HOUSE
ELITE PUBS
Against a backdrop of warm furnishings, roaring fires, traditional Christmas decor and a frosty landscape stretching out across the Swale Estuary, The Ferry House is a magical place to dine during the festive season. A stunning 16th-century events venue with no shortage of toasty nooks and hearty heritage, as well as a thriving family farm and extensive kitchen gardens, The Ferry House’ s talented team are prided on their use of homegrown and farmed produce that set the tone for their proudly Kentish menus.
Choosing between glittering party nights, New Year’ s soirées and relaxed two- or three-course festive dinners, enjoy lovingly crafted dishes such as estate duck Wellington with honey-baked parsnips, caramelised shallots and chestnut tart tatin, and traditional Christmas pudding with brandy butter and cream.
BOWLEYS AT THE PLOUGH, TROTTISCLIFFE bowleysrestaurant. com
Indulgent, fiercely local and the kind of dining that feels truly special but relaxed and accessible, Bowleys at The Plough regularly tops the list when it comes to festive fine dining with a difference.
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