The Parrot
FOOD + DRINK
THERE ARE MANY OLD BUILDINGS IN KENT – OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTY HAS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HISTORY BEHIND IT AND PLENTY OF ARCHITECTURAL EVIDENCE OF THAT IS STILL STANDING IN OUR STREETS. FINDING A BUILDING THAT IS NOT ONLY AS WONDERFULLY ATMOSPHERIC AS ANYONE WOULD HOPE FOR, BUT THAT ALSO HAS A STORY TO TELL IS ALWAYS A BONUS. BUILT IN AROUND 1370, THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES WHAT IS NOW THE PARROT PUB AND RESTAURANT IN CANTERBURY IS THE OLDEST IN THE CITY – AND IT’ S BEEN SERVING PINTS TO THIRSTY GUESTS FOR THE LAST 300 YEARS. BY SARAH GREENE
Walking into The Parrot offers customers a glimpse of past glories – dark wooden beams, panelled walls, hanging hops and a large fireplace. It’ s cosy and homely without being too cramped and offers the ideal space for couples looking for an intimate dinner for two, as well as groups who want a light lunch and a gossip.
There was something about the Cornish crab, roasted salmon and coconut cake that make my tastebuds tingle even before the food arrived; the description jumped out at me, so I went with my gut( literally). This fishcake was huge, bursting with flavour( not just from the fish – it was served with mint, lime, coriander and chilli sauce) and, although the mash was creamy, it still managed a lovely lightness. My dining partner opted for the saltand-vinegar chicken wings served with a blue cheese dip. They lasted but minutes, eaten greedily with fingers as they should be and were delicious.
When a burger is described as being‘ gourmet’, I find it impossible to resist, and I’ m delighted I picked the smokehouse burger from the tantalising list of options, which include a chicken club burger and something called‘ The Stack’ involving a phenomenal amount of beef. My burger was made with a beef steak, smoked pulled pork, smoked cheese and smoked sweetcure bacon, all smothered in a sweet and sticky barbeque sauce. The ingredients melded together to create a sensational burger absolutely warranting its gourmet tag. My fellow diner decided that the chargrilled Kentish beef sounded just the thing. A 28-day matured chargrilled 10oz ribeye steak served with rock-salted chunky chips, grilled thyme, beef tomato and watercress salad, and a jug of creamy peppercorn sauce, the dish goes above and beyond what a‘ normal’ steak tastes like, which we agreed must have something to do with the ability of the beautiful Kentish countryside to nourish excellent ingredients, and of course, a confident and skilled hand in the kitchen.
To finished, we chose the Bakewell tart and the chocolate brownie. And what a brownie … rich and gooey, dripping with sauce, melting ice cream, popcorn and strawberries, it was divine. With a creamy, tangy raspberry ripple ice cream as an accompaniment, the Bakewell tart offered my sweet tooth everything it desired – crisp pastry with a smooth, almond-flavoured filling and crunchy toasted almonds on the top. I relished every bite.
The building might be the oldest in the city, but when it comes to comforting and hugely satisfying dining, The Parrot couldn’ t be more modern.
The Parrot 1-9 Church Lane St Radigans Canterbury CT1 2AG 01227 454170 www. parrotcanterbury. co. uk
parrotcanterbury
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