insideKENT Magazine Issue 22 - January 2014 | Page 52

FOOD+DRINK

VIEWS, HISTORY AND GOURMET FOOD AT

KITS COTY

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, HISTORIC CONNECTIONS AND A VARIED MENU OF CLASSIC, EUROPEAN
AND ASIAN DISHES MAKE KITS COTY NEAR AYLESFORD THE PERFECT PLACE TO ENJOY AN
INTIMATE MEAL, A FAMILY GET TOGETHER OR A SPECIAL CELEBRATION. BY HELEN BYRDE

Pulling into the car park at Kits Coty, the first
thing that strikes you is how high up you are. The
family owned brasserie, run by a husband and
wife team, is situated just off Blue Bell Hill and
arriving for an evening meal the twinkling lights
over the Weald of Kent warmly greeted us.
e
As well as the stunning views, the r staurant
boasts some pretty serious historic connections.
It is named after the ruins of a nearby burial
chamber which is thought to be older than
Stonehenge. Kits Coty is said to take its name
from a shepherd called Kit, who used the stones
for shelter in the 17th century.
Unfortunately the historic site was not visible
on a dark winter’s night so we quickly got out of
the cold and briskly walked up the steps into the
welcoming light and airy bar and lounge area of
the restaurant.
Having ordered drinks at the bar, we were
shown to our table where the large windows
afforded us the chance of carrying on taking in
this breathtaking vista.
We had chosen from the a la carte menu,
but the brasserie also offers a set menu, a buffet
option and Sunday lunch. The extensive menu
combines both the traditional classics and dishes
with a European and Asian influence.
The starters offered some classic fare
including bread and olives with a balsamic oil, a

goats’ cheese and caramelised onion tart, to the
more exotic pigeon breast.
I toyed with the goats’ cheese option but
in the end I was won over by the seared scallops
with chorizo, sweet potato and pimento mash.
My guest decided on the crispy fried chilli squid
with pineapple salsa.
We were pleased with our decisions – the
starters were delicious and beautifully presented.
My scallops were perfectly cooked with the velvety
sweet potato mash complimenting beautifully;
the meaty fish and the chorizo adding an extra
spicy kick.
Being fans of Thai food, I carried on the fish
theme with the fillet of sea bass for main which
came with tiger prawns, Thai curry and vermicelli
noodles; while my dinner companion chose the
slow-roasted crispy duck with pak choi, cherries
and cashew nuts.
My main consisted of three triangles of sea
bass which were lovingly arranged on top of the
fine noodles with the Thai curry and prawns
nestling underneath. The flavours were subtle
enough not to overpower the delicate fish while
still giving me a taste of Thailand.
Our main courses came with a varied
selection of vegetables to share: roast potatoes,
courgettes, carrots, mange tout and peas.
Although quite full, we vowed to try a dessert

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(it would be wrong not to, surely?!). My friend
went for the raspberry brulée which was topped
with a festive little mincemeat surprise. I chose
the mango sorbet which was perched on a slice
of spiced fresh pineapple with raspberries on the
side – a delicious and refreshing end to a firstclass meal in a first-class location.
Not only was the food top quality but the
staff were friendly and attentive without being
overbearing.
Lingering to take in the view for just a little
longer, we enjoyed coffees before vowing to
come back in the summer to enjoy the full extent
of the brasserie’s location and also to take in the
full history of the area.

Kits Coty
15 Old Chatham Road
Bluebell Hill
Aylesford
Kent
ME20 7EZ
01634 684445
www.kitscoty.co.uk