insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 23

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KENTSTAYCATION
Summer Staycations in the Garden of England
AL FRESCO KENT
SUMMER IS WELL AND TRULY UNDERWAY NOW. WITH THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
STARTING TO REBLOOM AFTER AN EXTENDED HIBERNATION BROUGHT ON BY
COVID-19, IT FEELS AS IF THE ENTIRE POPULATION HAS GIVEN A COLLECTIVE SIGH
OF RELIEF AS LIFE STARTS TO MOVE SLOWLY BACK INTO THE REALM OF NORMALITY.
WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING LAWS RELAXING, AND THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWING
US TO CREATE OUR VERY OWN ‘SUPPORT BUBBLE,' NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO
CATCH UP WITH MUCH MISSED FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHILE LOUNGING IN THE
WARM BREEZE OF AN AUGUST SUMMERS DAY.
Of course, some delectable food and drink
would not go amiss during these long-overdue
catch-ups. Here at insideKENT, we recommend
splashing those lockdown £s by supporting
local this summer, making the most of this
year’s remaining summer days and taking
advantage of Kent’s al fresco dining scene.
After all, it is high time you whipped your
social life back into shape. So forget the horror
of the last few months, get out there and treat
yourself to these five wonderful al fresco
excursions this August.
© Paul Freeman
ROCKSALT
The restaurant Rocksalt is housed
quite literally on the water of
Folkestone Harbour in a futuristic
black, textured, curved building on
the one side; with floor-to-ceiling glass
separating the dining area from a
balcony that juts out onto the water
below the show stopping eye-draw on
the other. The balcony provides an
all-encompassing view of the pale blue
water of the harbour, the boats
bobbing in it, and the point where the
skyline and sea meet to become one
on the horizon. A fantastic example
of modern design, this is an al fresco
space to marvel at.
As beautiful as the architecture is, the
heart and soul of this destination
comes straight out of the kitchen,
piping hot and ready to be devoured.
This award-winning restaurant only
uses the finest local produce, which
changes every season to ensure all
dishes are fresh and have perfectly
ripe ingredients. Highly trained chefs
produce everything from sophisticated oysters, to decedent lobster, to smooth,
sweet panna cotta. This may seem like the perfect place for a date night, but don’t
be fooled by its sleek exterior and the simple beauty of its dishes. Rocksalt is child
friendly, and even has an under 10s menu for little ones to choose their own mini
gourmet meal.
If you are interested in having a few nightcaps before retiring, make your way to
the bar, its very own separate outside terrace means you are never too far away
from the sun-soaked decking and the salty sea air. ‘Something for everyone’ could
be this bar's motto as it spoils its guests for choice. Choose from personally tailored
cocktails made with premium spirits, a choice wine list or craft beers. A treasure
trove of libations, the Rocksalt bar values local suppliers, as well as having a wealth
of options from distant lands. So…what will it be?
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