FOOD + DRINK
Culturally-Curated Cuisine cont...
BOTTEGA CARUSO
KAPPO NIGHTS- THE COUNTER BY ROBIN READ
© Harry Ryder
The Counter by Robin Read, Royal Tunbridge Wells thecountertw
Run by acclaimed chef Robin Read, The Counter sits within the esteemed dining scene of Royal Tunbridge Wells, inviting guests into a modernist space of navyblue tones, rustic floorboards and high ceilings. An open kitchen at the heart of the restaurant allows diners to watch Read bring the menu to life, adding a sense of culinary theatre to the experience.
Offering a tasting-menu-only experience, The Counter hosts its special Kappo Nights, a monthly celebration of Japaneseinspired small plates. Taking place on selected Wednesdays throughout the year, each menu draws inspiration from the seasons, and in October, it will bring fresh autumnal flavours and a playful twist to the restaurant’ s usual offerings.
Among the dishes are Kappo Night favourites such as crispy buttermilk-fried chicken served with Kewpie, fully loaded steamed rice and crispy pork belly paired with the rich umami flavours of teriyaki sauce. The menu offers a more relaxed and playful interpretation of Japaneseinspired cuisine in a distinctly Kentish setting.
Bottega Caruso, Margate bottegacaruso. com
Hailing from Foglianise a small Campanian village about an hour away from Naples, chef-owner Simona has utlised incredible produce from her home, think preserved tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, natural wines and heritage grain flour, to develop a menu hailed by The Guardian’ s Grace Dent as being“ possibly some of the best Italian food in modern Britain”.
The small osteria, run by the same family team who operate La Cantina wine bar and shop next door in Margate’ s Broad Street, is a hive of simple, rustic, authentic Italian cooking. Delicious hand-made pastas are, of course, the stars of the menu but there are also intriguing small plates and snacks including polpette di pane al sugo, where handmade bread balls are used in lieu of meatballs atop the family’ s tomato sauce.
And as if a Michelin-Guide listing and critic acclaim were not enough, the family also helped found The Perfect Place to Grow( theperfectplacetogrow. org), a community cafe helping young people find employment using hospitality skills to build confidence and experience.
A La Turka, Canterbury ala-turka. co. uk
Canterbury may be buried in centuries of English history, but tucked among its historic streets, A La Turka offers a taste of somewhere much further afield. Here, the flavours of Gaziantep- a city in southeastern Turkey renowned for its rich culinary heritage and once an important stop along the ancient Silk Route- take the spotlight.
Gaziantep has long been celebrated as a Turkish food paradise, shaped by over 1,500 years of cultural exchanges along the route that connected the East and the West. At A La Turka, this heritage is brought to life through recipes and flavours rooted in tradition, with the story beginning with founder Mehmet and his love for Gaziantep cuisine, which first cultivated in his mother’ s kitchen.
A farm-to-table philosophy sits at the heart of the restaurant, combining traditional Turkish cooking with locally sourced
ingredients from across Kent. Among the dishes is adana with yoghurt, made with chargrilled, seasoned minced lamb served over sliced pita bread and topped with creamy yoghurt. Guests can also try Turkish mousakka, bringing together layers of aubergine, minced lamb, courgettes, potatoes and onions, finished with a smooth bechamel sauce; each dish offers a glimpse into a food culture influenced by centuries of history.
Mon Ami Brasserie, Sittingbourne monamibrasserie. co. uk
A beloved destination in Sittingbourne, Mon Ami Brasserie brings the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality together with the charm of modern brasserie dining. Founded by the Trelewicz family, the family-run restaurant draws on 25 years of experience, with a passion for generous, welcoming food at the heart of every plate.
Every dish is based on Mediterranean and French-inspired culinary traditions, guided by head chef Mihaly Kallos, who brings a decade of experience in French cuisine to the kitchen. Sun-soaked Mediterranean flavours are paired with quality ingredients sourced from the UK and beyond, while meat and seafood are supplied by Donald Russell, renowned for its grass-fed British beef and fresh seafood.
The menu offers comforting classics such as seafood linguine, combining fresh prawns, mussels and squid in a creamy white sauce, alongside tagliatelle with meatballs made from British beef and served in a tangy tomato sauce. To complete the experience, opt for a classic Aperol Spritz, a refreshing, bittersweet blend of Aperol, prosecco and soda water, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean sunshine to your Kentish dining experience.
98 • www. insidekent. co. uk