insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 53

In the way of starters or ‘Little Plates’, I chose
the sardines with roasted tomatoes, croutons,
and shallots. My partner decided to opt for the
confit rabbit with snails, beans, and a saffron
vinaigrette. These sounded great on the menu,
but when they arrived with a detailed explanation
from Gianpaolo about exactly how each dish
was made and where the inspiration came from,
I have to say I was impressed. It’s interesting to
know about the food you are about to eat, and
when there are little extras on the dish such as
the crispy chicken skin on the rabbit, it’s even
better.
The food at Saltwood on the Green is certainly
attractive, and my sardine dish came with some
pretty little flowers on the top. It looks good, and,
thankfully, it tasted good too. The sardines were
a pleasure to eat, and the soft texture compared
to the crunchy croutons was exceptional. And
as for those tomatoes, they had a zingy, sweet
flavour that made me want more and more. The
rabbit dish was unusual, and for anyone willing
to try something different this is perhaps the
most ambitious fare on the menu. It’s worth it
though; the rabbit was soft and delicate, and the
snails were melt-in-the-mouth good.
Mains ('Big Plates', although not so big that there
isn’t room for dessert) were a delight. I ordered
the lamb rump with tapenade, broccoli, salsa
verde, and quinoa, and my partner had the beef
short rib with carrots, creamed potato, garlic,

and a deliciously flavoured jus. The meat in both
cases was cooked beautifully. While the beef
was moist and juicy, with vegetables cooked just
right, the lamb was sweet and tender. The
addition of the olive tapenade was one I would
never have thought of, but it works so well.
Dessert next, and who can resist a homemade
cheesecake? The Dirty, Filthy Cheesecake
however, is not your normal light and airy pudding
– this is made with Stinking Bishop cheese, and
the sweet, nutty, tangy flavour is sensational
when mixed with the lemon and orange-flavoured
biscuit base. This is what the restaurant is famous
for, and to try it is to love it.
If you’re not sure about a real cheesecake, there
is plenty more to sample. I had the chocolate
and peanut butter pie, which was stunning, but
there is also steamed lemon pudding, strawberry
pavlova, and a pineapple upside-down cake.
The ideal way to end a gorgeous meal!

Saltwood on the Green
The Green
Saltwood
Hythe
CT21 4PS
01303 237800
www.saltwoodrestaurant.co.uk

THE GREEN
SALTWOOD, CT21 4PS
Open from
Tuesday to Saturday,
9am-3pm and 6pm-11pm;
Sunday 11.30am-5pm
Book online at
saltwoodrestaurant.co.uk
or call 01303 237 800

“A gem of a restaurant”

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