insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 100

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

dining out
Pearson's Arms – Under the management of
celebrated chef, Richard Phillips, The Pearson's
Arms serves fine gastro pub food, complete with
a magnificent sea view.
Lobster Shack – The East Quay building is now
home to the Lobster Shack, a vibrant eatery that
brings together ideas from French lobster
restaurants, American clam shacks and local
fresh produce.
Samphire – A popular bistro in the heart
of Whitstable, Samphire offers the best of Kentish
produce sourced from local farms, foragers,
gamekeepers and fishermen.
Whitstable Oyster Co – One of the country's
finest seafood restaurants, family-run restaurant,
Whitstable Oyster Co, is renowned for its prized
culinary fare and commitment to the native dish.
The Crab & Winkle Restaurant – Overlooking
a working Harbour, this AA rosette-winning venue
serves up fish from the local boats in both its
restaurant and fish market below.
Wheelers Oyster Bar – A local favourite and the
town's oldest restaurant, Wheelers is a
characterful tiny oyster parlour and seafood bar,
serving market-fresh seafood.

Probably the oldest sea regatta in the world, this
two-day family event is packed year-on-year with
music, stalls, seaborne events, fairground rides,
a grand firework display and more.
Whitstable Harbour Day – Opened by Miss
Whitstable, 9th August 2014 will mark the 20th
anniversary of this annual event. A popular, free
day out for the family, visitors can enjoy a selection
of stalls, lifeboat displays, sea shanties, a fabulous
jazz band and model boats. In addition, to keep
the little ones amused, there is face painting,
magicians and more.
Whitstable Oyster Festival – The Whitstable
Oyster Festival is an annual seven-day celebration
of Whitstable’s most famous export, with a whole
host of activities based around everything from
heritage and community to food, drinks, family
and art. This year, the week opens on Saturday
26th July with the Landing of the Oysters and a
town parade, which delivers ‘the catch’ to local
restaurants. A harbour food festival showcases
local produce during the opening weekend and
the streets are awash with foodies and families
from far and wide. For the remainder of the week,
Whitstable remains a family paradise, with a
programme of music and cultural events, including
daily workshops and activities for children, heritage
walks and talks, open-air performances and
cooking demonstrations. The festival culminates
in a spectacular fireworks display over the sea.

Birdies – One of Whitstable's longest-serving
establishments, family-run Birdies has been
championing local produce for many years, with
the daily catch frequenting its impressive menus.
JoJos – Atmospheric and fun, JoJo’s Meze,
Meat & Fish Restaurant serves freshly cooked
food with a Mediterranean influence.
Whitstable Produce Store – A true gem in the
heart of Whitstable, this produce store proudly
serves locally roasted and blended teas and
coffees, delicious fresh juices, pure-fruit smoothies
and more.

key events
Whitstable Regatta – Celebrating its 221st
anniversary on 12th-13th July this year, Whitstable
and Herne Bay Lions Club welcomed crowds to
the ever-popular, annual Whitstable Regatta.

May Day Festival – Whitstable's May Day Festival
is a favourite in the town's busy calendar.
Organised by the Oyster Morris and Whitstable
Lions, this year's event took place on 5th May
and included music, dancing craft stalls, the
famous Jack-in-the-Green parade and
refreshments.
British Water Ski and Wakeboarding National
Championships – Renowned for its water sports,
Whitstable Ski Club has again been selected to

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host a round of the British Water Ski and
Wakeboarding National Championships; it will
host round six on 10th August 2014.
Whitstable Farmers' Market – Members of Kent
Farmers' Market Association, Whitstable Farmers'
Market is an integral fixture in the town. Taking
place at St. Mary's Hall on the second and fourth
Saturday of each month from 9.30am-2pm, the
market boasts mostly organic produce stalls.

top spot
Playhouse Theatre

Owned and operated by the Lindley Players, the
Playhouse Theatre first swung open its doors in
1982. 32 years on and it cont