insideKENT Magazine Issue 76 - July 2018 | Page 115

FOOD+DRINK
Hooden SMOKEHOUSE & CELLAR
FOLLOWING A DEVASTATING FIRE THAT RIPPED
THROUGH THE HISTORIC HOME OF ASHFORD
FAVOURITE, THE HOODEN ON THE HILL PUB, OWNERS
VICKY AND HOWARD UNDERTOOK A PAINSTAKING
RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT PROJECT, RISING
LIKE THE PROVERBIAL PHOENIX EMERGED THE
HOODEN SMOKEHOUSE & CELLAR; SAMANTHA READY
WAS INTRIGUED TO KNOW MORE…
I was in fact so intrigued that I ventured to the
new Hooden Smokehouse offering twice,
once on a rather frenetic night during its
opening week and again to a much smoother,
calmer and in-the-flow lunchtime a few weeks
later – the latter demonstrating a team that
had bedded in and a menu that had been
refined and perfected.
The pub itself has certainly been given a new
lease of life and evidence of the tragic damage
erased through an expanse of fresh painting,
exposed brick wall, leather bench seating and
industrial light fittings. The popular and large
garden space has also been updated with its
own bbq area and pizza ovens that will
undoubtedly come into their own over the
summer months; the end result a subtle, Deep
South/Wild West feel that complements the
new smokehouse menu perfectly.
Which my guests and I were, of course, keen
to sample…
Although limited, the starter options are tasty
and perfect for sharing. The mac ‘n’ cheese
balls and halloumi fries with a delicious
caramelised onion side, were the clear winners
with our party, all of which work in harmony
with the main menu offerings that fall into
two disti