insideKENT Magazine Issue 43 - October 2015 | Page 52

FOOD+DRINK A KENTISH HIDDEN GEM: THE GROVE FERRY Set on the tranquil banks of the beautiful River Stour, The Grove Ferry is tucked neatly away, peaceful and pretty, and full of the joys of Kent. BY LISAMARIE LAMB There are pigs and chickens in the garden (and a rooster named Elvis), fresh herbs and vegetables growing, a lovely deck from which patrons can watch the world go by as the narrow boats trundle down the river, and a feeling of having all the time in the world to enjoy either the lovely pub gardens or the comfortable, cosy interior. In fact, even if it is chilly, customers can still relax on the terrace; there are warm blankets available for anyone to use if they fancy taking in the fresh air into the autumn months. And that sort of attention to detail, that kind of kindness, is what sets The Grove Ferry apart from many other restaurant pubs around. There is a chess board for customer enjoyment – when I visited the chefs and waiting staff made a move when they passed, but anyone could join in. There is food for the pigs (called Pickle, Sam, and Bilbo) so you can spend time feeding them before feeding yourself. There are dog biscuits ready for man’s best friend. There is anything and everything that anyone could need to enjoy either a quick drink, a leisurely meal, a stunning private party, or even a gorgeous overnight stay (The Grove Ferry is a hotel as well with rustic yet comfortable rooms ready to welcome guests). Head chef, Mark Hewitt, has created a menu full of classic British dishes with a modern and exciting – and tasty – twist. What’s really wonderful about all of the food served at The Grove Ferry is that everything is local. Some of it comes from the village butcher, some from Whitstable (the fish is excellent there), and some of it is even closer to home – the pub’s chickens provide the eggs and the allotment provides the veg. This is local sourcing down to a fine art. Food may be the main draw when coming to The Grove Ferry, but there is a superb drinks menu too, featuring some intriguing cocktails using locally grown lavender and some terrific cask ales from the pub’s very own taproom. From traditional Kentish ales, guest ales, and international lagers (from local brewery, Shepherd Neame), there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether you prefer the crisp tang of a fresh and feisty lager or the long, lingering taste of a delicately flavoured ale. 52 The insideKENT team visited as a group to say goodbye to two of our staff who are moving on to new and exciting things, and it was at The Grove Ferry that we chose to have our gettogether. Pulling up to the pub and hotel, I was impressed by how pretty it looked; like an old country house rather than a pub, but no less welcoming for that. Various boards outside let me know where to go, who to look out for, and what to see, and, after a quick glance at the pigs opposite the front door, I went in to find the rest of our party. We were seated on a lovely long table with views out over the Great River Stour – we probably even saw Pete the ferryman glide along, although we weren’t aware of him at the time (if you time your visit right, you can enjoy a lovely trip along the river with Pete before or after your meal). The dining room is light and bright, with large picture windows letting in the wonderful view. It’s not crowded either, which is always a bonus; no one wants to eat a meal, no matter how good it is, with the worry of someone else’s elbow entering their own personal space, or the fear of