insideKENT Magazine Issue 82 - January 2019 | Page 99
Arriving on a la te Friday afternoon, the pub was
quiet, bar a couple of diner s and a few m uted
conversations over a good glass of local wine. This
was a good thing , and meant w e could find our
bearings around the heart of the pub: the hea vy
wooden bar from which a host of guest ales, craft
beers, Eng lish wines and signa ture cocktails ar e
served daily; the main dining room, with its wooden
tables, panelled walls and muted calm furnishings;
and our cosy and spacious superior doub le room
with its comfy king bed, luxur y linen and White
Company toiletries with ease.
Returning do wnstairs f or dinner, the pub was
transformed into an a tmospheric melting pot of
activity: locals at the bar, cosy tables for two, friends
at the back visiting f or pizza and beer and lar ge
celebratory groups; it was friendly, busy and totally
welcoming.
I was impressed by the ‘British classics with a gastro
twist’ menu, and the easy service offered not just by
our waitr ess, b ut also b y manager F raser, w ho
delivered brilliant menu recommendations and wine
pairings thr oughout. After an e xpertly crafted
Espresso Martini (thank y ou, bar man Josh!), we
opted for the three cheese arancini, pickled red onion,
Old Winchester and garlic mayo and the super tasty
Josper smoked leek and potato soup to start.
Now renowned for its wood-fired pizzas and Josper
steaks (featuring hand-picked British and US beef
and delivered with care by head chef Sean and his
team), we were keen to make the most of the menu,
and opted for the sharers plate of deliciously tender
and beautifully seared 16oz Chateaubriand, and a
cheeky side order of the wood-fired garlic bread,
both delicious and devoured!
Knowing we only had to make it upstairs, we even
squeezed in the gooey chocolate brownie and sweet
sticky toffee pudding a t the end of the e vening –
winter dessert heaven!
Making the transition fr om high str eet local to
gastropub with rooms is a tricky endeavour, but The
White Lion in Tenterden has done just that. Good
quality seasonal f ood, great craft drinks and easy
friendly service – all in a way that keeps locals and
visitors coming back again and again.
The White Lion
High Street
Tenterden
TN30 6BD
01580 765 077
[email protected]
www.whiteliontenterden.com
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