insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 70
FOOD+DRINK
WALKING ALONG A SLIGHTLY WINDSWEPT PROMENADE ON A COOL AUGUST EVENING,
BREATHING IN THE FRESH SEA AIR, LISTENING TO THE WAVES SOFTLY CRASH AGAINST THE
PEBBLES AND TAKING IN THE VIEWS OF THE ICONIC DEAL PIER WAS A PRETTY APT AND
INSPIRING WAY TO VENTURE FOR A SEAFOOD-INSPIRED DINNER AT
Hythe Bay SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
BY SAMANTHA READY
They say that three is the magic number and
expectations were high as I embarked on my
journey to Deal, the third jewel in the Hythe
Bay seaside dining crown.
Can you have a seafood restaurant without
sea views? Of course. Is the setting as good?
Probably not!
There is something to be said about great
surroundings matching your dining concept,
and this has been harnessed across all of the
Hythe Bay offerings. Intimate, cosy dining
rooms are positioned within a stone’s throw
of the sea, with décor that nurtures its nautical
theme: subtle turquoise mosaic tiles, water
and wood, and of course, menus which
capitalise on local catches of the day.
Entering the restaurant my guests and I were
swept up in a wave of abundant welcomes
from new manager Dave, Hythe Bay veteran
Jo and our friendly waitress Amy. Eyes were
immediately drawn to the bar area, where
wall-sized tanks of colour-changing bubbles
– reminiscent of 1990’s teenage bedroom
bubble tubes but a whole lot more classy –
showcased the vast array of spirits, wines and
ales on offer. We could have happily sat and
whiled away the evening just there, but of
course dinner was calling.
The menu, lovingly prepared by head chef
Matt and his team, is a seafood lover’s dream.
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But there are also a host of less fishy choices,
perfect to tempt our more carnivorous dining
companions.
Starters presented the golden crisp rings of
deep fried calamari, succulent squid and batter
so crispy is was stolen across the table; the
half pint of prawns swiftly deshelled and
dunked in the moorish Marie-Rose sauce; the
perfectly pan-seared scallops with chucks of
rich pork belly, confit of fennel and classic pea
purée; and the glorious oozing mound of
camembert, with bread and sweet sticky red
onion and cranberry marmalade, which
competed the quartet.
Conversation, which is usually notoriously
riotous in the way that only old friends can
be, was instantly halted as the main courses
were delivered. Continuing the juicy prawn
theme was the king prawn Thai red curry -
with a much heralded fruity spicy kick; the
indulgent half lobster thermidor with crisp
french fries; for our meat loving friend the
perfectly seared rib-eye steak with peppercorn
sauce; and my own pan-fried halibut – a
beautiful, delicate fillet served with a smooth
parsley mash, with flavours aplenty from salty
pancetta and rich chicken jus.
And just because we could and because chef
needed us to, a sneaky heavenly taste of the
pan-fried sea bass with braised fennel and
fresh Sicilian salsa. Cleared plates all round,
forks across the table and murmurings of
‘mmm’ testament to each and every dish.
Our last dilemma: what to chose for pudding.
We finally settled on the bread and butter
pudding with round, thick hunks of bread and
rich custard; the classic crème brûlée (which
actually appeared big enough for all of us!);
the sticky sweet indulgent tarte tatin; and the
rich chocolate caramel torte. And then as if
by magic, a slice of chef’s favourite – the
passion fruit cheesecake – appeared and was
promptly declared favourite dessert dish as
the ultra creamy cheesecake laced with
passionfruit and its nutty base was devoured.
A great evening can be judged by how quickly
time flies as well as how pleasingly sated you
feel when the inevitable hometime comes.
From its courteous service, contemporary
dining room, and each neatly and beautifully
executed dish from the tried and tested menu,
Hythe Bay, Deal delivered on all counts.
Hythe Bay
41-45 Beach Street
Deal
CT14 6HY
01304 365 555
[email protected]
www.hythebay.co.uk
Hythe-Bay-Seafood-Restaurant-at-Deal