FOOD + DRINK
Amongst the many things that our county gets so right are quaint historical settings and freshly prepared Kentish produce. So it’ s even better when the two come together so beautifully, which is certainly the case at
The Bistro AT LYMPNE CASTLE
Situated in a former stable block adjacent to the castle in the tiny quiet village of Lympne, The Bistro opened its giant wooden stable doors to reveal its sleek and shiny floor-toceiling windows just last November, and Ruth Denzey and her team have well and truly got their feet under the table with an inventive menu and layout. BY SAMANTHA READY
The Bistro has made the most of its rustic setting but uses clean lines, fresh colours and modern artwork and contemporary wooden tables and chairs to add to the ambience. Upon arrival on one of the first sunshine-filled days of early summer, I was impressed with the ample outside dining space at the large round and picnic-style tables in the courtyard. On this occasion we opted for a large window table inside so that we could not only enjoy the sun-fuelled views outside, but also watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen.
Having a full view of the kitchen not only adds to the excitement, but it also allows The Bistro to offer a range of special cooking events and classes which are detailed on large signs on the walls; and of course this also means that the aromas from the kitchen start to tempt the tastebuds even before the food arrives.
In terms of the menu there is a seasonal breakfast, light bites and lunch menu which is served daily, offering tempting options such as potato cakes with smoked salmon, pancakes, cassoulet, tacos and sharing platters. At the end of the week( or beginning, depending on how you look at it), enjoy Sunday Lunch or a Sunday BBQ during the hotter summer months, and you can also indulge in daily specials or dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
My guests and I had the pleasure of dining on a Sunday afternoon and the beauty of the menu meant that all of our dietary needs and preferences could be accounted for: the pescatarian chose the seafood linguine, which presented itself as a huge steaming bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with a rich white wine, cream and tomato sauce, with delicate and flavoursome morsels of seafood, served with a moreish garlic flatbread; the dieter opted for the red pepper quiche from the daily special’ s board, and was delighted with the slab of ham, peppers, mushroom and egg quiche on its crisp and flaky pastry case, which came with a fresh salad and new potatoes; whilst my third guest and I opted for the Sunday lunch – one pork and one beef – which appeared as a heaving plate of freshly carved meat, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, green beans, carrots and a tasty cauliflower and broccoli cheese all with just the right amount of rich gravy.
These dishes were enough to satisfy us for the rest of the day, but there was no way I was passing up the chance to sample one of the tempting homemade cakes which I had been drooling over since I’ d arrived, and which were a popular choice for those stopping by for a slice and a coffee whilst we dined. Having finally settled for the chocolate fudge cake( with two spoons in an attempt to feel less greedy!), no sooner had it arrived it was gone – every last moist chocolaty morsel devoured, with a vow to return to sample the other treats on offer.
Pleasantly sated my guests and I ambled off across the courtyard into the afternoon sunshine extremely happy to have found this little hidden gem.
The Bistro at Lympne Castle The Street Lympne Kent CT21 4LQ 01303 267 644 info @ thebistro-kent. co. uk www. thebistro-kent. co. uk
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