insideKENT Magazine Issue 92 - November 2019 | Page 114

FOOD+DRINK
CLEVER, UNCOMPLICATED DISHES, WITH A PERFECT COMBINATION
OF FLAVOUR, QUALITY, PRESENTATION AND SERVICE, AT
THE DOG AT WINGHAM
HAVING JUST REACHED ITS THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY THE TEAM AT THE DOG CONTINUE TO
TRIUMPH; NOT JUST WITH A HOST OF ACCOLADES; AN AA ROSETTE, FOUR AA SILVER STARS,
KENT PUB OF THE YEAR AND COUNTY WINNER AT THE NATIONAL PUB & BAR AWARDS - TWICE
(TO NAME JUST A FEW!); BUT ALSO WITH PLATE AFTER PLATE OF LOCALLY SOURCED,
SEASONALLY INSPIRED, AND BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED DISHES. BY SAMANTHA READY
Rounding the bend of the quaint village of Wingham,
near Canterbury, as dusk fell on a crisp autumnal
evening, my attention was immediately drawn to
the downlit facade of The Dog. The pale exterior
walls showcase the beauty of the original 1661
building, which was lovingly and painstaking restored
and renovated by the Tilley-Bridgen family in 2016,
to create their award-winning restaurant-with-rooms
concept that never fails to impress.
The beautiful building is a mix of quirky and modern,
the welcoming atmosphere complemented by oak
beams, cosy fireplaces, and striped floorboards, and
stylish decor touches; a gentle fusion of leather, wood,
modern lighting and contemporary furniture.
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Upstairs there are eight luxurious en-suite bedrooms,
all having been refurbished and decorated to an
extremely high standard by owner, Marilyn Bridgen.
All rooms are individual, ooze style and boast an
eye for detail throughout, with monsoon showers in
each bathroom adding to their luxury.
from up the road, and their fish & seafood from the
coast, just a matter of miles away.
Whilst the ground floor is home to not one but two
bar areas; offering a selection of branded and craft
beers, their now renown gin bar with over 50 gins,
and an excellent wine list, as well as the restaurant. Whilst the main dining room, with its tables for two
and four adjacent to the cosy fire, is perfect for lunch
with friends and intimate dinners, my guest and I
were shown through to the second, more private,
dining space. The orangery area offers a great spot
for social gatherings and family Sunday roasts, and
to peruse the seasonal daily menu created by head
chef Samuel McClurkin and his passionate team.
Serving modern British dishes made from the finest
locally sourced ingredients, The Dog at Wingham
is the epitome of food miles; their baker is in the
village, their butcher in the next, fruit & veg comes At just 21 years old McClurkin describes himself as
“a small-town chef with a big aspiration”. Despite
his youthful age he has not only studied professional
kitchen cookery for three years, and won the coveted