insideKENT Magazine Issue 36 - March 2015 | Page 88

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
ORPINGTON cont.

Cyprianis

Dining Out
There's plenty to choose from in Orpington when
it comes to picking a great place to eat!
Cyprianis
With restaurants in nearby Locksbottom and
Petts Wood, Cyprianis is not just your run-of-themill Mediterranean restaurant chain. The brainchild
of well-known Kent restaurateur, Nick Constantine,
Cyprianis prides itself on offering a wide range of
dishes from classic Cypriot cuisine through to
house specialities, breakfast, Sunday lunch, and
a gourmet Italian night. In addition, Nick and the
team are wholly committed to using the highest
quality produce from trusted and sustainable
sources.
Chapter One
Michelin-starred chef, Andrew McLeish, is the
master behind the exceptional dishes on offer at
Chapter One in Locksbottom, just outside
Orpington. Here you can enjoy a sumptuous
lunch or dinner, excellent wines, and exciting
cocktails. From the jugged hare through to the
roasted leg of partridge and peanut and chocolate
tart, you’ll enjoy every bite. And with the attentive
staff and comfortable atmosphere in the
restaurant, you can really make the most of your
time there.
Indian Essence
With twice-Michelin starred chef, restaurateur
and TV personality, Atul Kochhar, at the helm,
it's little wonder Indian Essence is a great success.
Situated in the heart of nearby Petts Wood, this
award-winning eatery celebrates the best of
traditional Indian cuisine combined with Kochhar’s
contemporary approach. Proudly awarded a
Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2015, this restaurant
is certainly one to watch – and even more so,
one to visit.

Chapter One

Ephesus Mediterranean Grill and Meze Bar
For great value, great tasting food, this is the
place to go in Orpington. The chef here offers a
fabulous combination of Turkish and
Mediterranean cuisine, which is delicious and
filling. Choose from such delicacies as lahmacun
(a Turkish take on pizza with minced lamb); dolma
(stuffed vine leaves); spicy tiger prawns; kleftiko
and much, much more. From the express lunch
menu to the à la carte, you can pick the dishes
that suit you. And on certain nights, you can enjoy
a belly dancing show too!

Orpington Festival of Dance // October
This stage dancing festival is open to all ages,
and includes ballet, tap, and modern dance. The
festival has been running for 25 years, and has
attracted dancers from across the country to
attend and to go for gold. There are prizes to be
won, which include a heat for the IDTA Miss
Dance and Dance Master competitions.

Top Spot

Shimla Pink
Boasting a modern, spacious décor, and a varied
range of traditional and contemporary Indian
cuisine, this high street haunt ticks all the boxes
when it comes to local dining.

Annual Events
Orpington offers a wealth of annual events to
enjoy throughout the year. Here are just a few of
the highlights:
Beer and Cider Festival // February
With beers, ales, ciders, and perries from around
the county and beyond, the Orpington Beer and
Cider Festival is a must-visit for those who enjoy
their tipple. CAMRA approved, and boasting a
huge range of different drinks to sample, this fun,
convivial, interesting weekend is well worth
stopping by.
The Big O Festival // July
This two-day festival is all about 'suburbia through
the decades'. With art, fashion, and music from
the 50s to the 80s, it is sure to be a fun and
fascinating trip down memory lane.

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The Walnuts Shopping Centre can be found in
the middle of Orpington High Street, and it
contains everything you might need under one
roof. With plenty of parking, shops, cafés and
restaurants, plus access to the rest of Orpington
right on its doorstep, this is a great place to start
your exploration. You can also find out all about
the redevelopment of Orpington here, and on
Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays it hosts a
market too.
www.thewalnutsshoppingcentre.com

Did You Know?
The Orpington breed of chicken is
named after the town itself, and was
bred by William Cook in 1886.