TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on FOLKESTONE cont.
Folkestone Harbour Mermaid Rocksalt
© Oast House Archive
View of Folkestone from the cliffs © Brian Miller
DINING OUT
Rocksalt There are restaurants that say they are on the coast, even on the beach, and then there is Rocksalt, which is so close you can hear the waves and smell the sea. It’ s no wonder that the food here is as fresh as it can be since much of it is local, and much of is seafood. And not only is the food exceptional, but this gem of a restaurant is a joy to sit in thanks to its modern design and its floor to ceiling glass windows that give you an unparalleled view Folkestone Harbour. Dishes here include delights such as lobster and salmon pasty with pickled cucumber, Rye Bay cod braised with orange and wild fennel with crushed almonds, and cold chocolate and sea buckthorn fondant.
Earls Restaurant With a recent refurbishment to its name, Earls Restaurant is an eclectic mix of cuisines that all have one thing in common: they taste incredible. On top of the à la carte menu are Sunday roasts, afternoon teas, a great children’ s menu and an innovative list of weekly specials. The menu has a range of wonderful food including courgette and brie fritters, chicken liver brulée with smoked duck breast, beef and Guinness pie, and the Tex-Med gourmet burger.
Gurkha Palace The award-winning Gurkha Palace specialises in Nepalese and North Indian cuisine, and has been doing so since 2000. The aim of the food here is to take you to Nepal and allow to experience authentic flavours that you may never have had before. You can expect to find poleko salmon( a highly flavoured salmon fish marinated overnight in typical Western Nepalese spices then chargrilled), momo( warm chicken dumplings entirely cooked by steam and served with chutney), Nirvana chicken( chicken cooked with lemon grass, mustard seeds, curry leaves, coconut milk and nuts, this is a dish from the lowland area of Nepal) and Sherpa khasi( very hot lamb dish balanced with seventeen different herbs and spices and touch of coconut milk).
ANNUAL EVENTS
Folkestone Harbour Music Festival // Aug This is a free two-day music festival held each year in August to raise funds for the RNLI. This is a chance to see up and coming bands as they begin their music careers, and to spot those who have been in the business a while as they do their bit for the local area and charity. Also on offer is face painting, raft racing, a fun fair, working dog displays, plenty of delicious and varied food and drink, and a fireworks spectacular too.
Folkestone Triennial // Sep-Nov This hugely looked forward to art festival allows the town of Folkestone to become an artistic hub for two exciting, fun-filled months. It is thanks to the Folkestone Triennial that there are now 27 permanent artworks in the town, and new and established artists alike are always keen to get involved. The Triennial is your chance to see this art, speak to the artists involved and find out more about Folkestone itself.
Folkestone Book Festival // Nov This November event has taken place every year since 1980, and is set to continue into the foreseeable future. At this event it is possible to enjoy talks by literary greats, take part in writing workshops, and follow a town tour to the most important spots when it comes to literature. Be inspired to write, to read, and to find out more about the town of Folkestone itself through its literary roots.
TOP SPOT
Close to the harbour and the Old High Street, The Quarterhouse( a Creative Foundation project) is an exceptional venue for enjoying a show during your time in Folkestone. This award-winning building seats 250, and is where new talent and new ideas are showcased. With a well-stocked bar, exciting performances that change on a regular basis, and fantastic after show parties, The Quarterhouse is an ideal way to spend an enjoyable and different evening in Folkestone.
DID YOU KNOW?
ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS, FOLKESTONE IS ONE OF THE SUNNIEST PLACES IN THE UK, SO YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO MAKE THE MOST OF ITS STUNNING BEACHES THIS SUMMER.
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