insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 69

FOOD+DRINK

coast

AT THE HYTHE IMPERIAL HOTEL
Fine dining, quality locally sourced produce, exemplary service and classic sea
inspired decor, makes Coast the perfect Kentish dinner destination. BY SAMANTHA G

Nothing quite says classic British seaside than
a grand and imposing Victorian seafront dwelling,
and nothing quite says classic Kentish dining
than a comfortable yet elegant dining room, a
warm welcome, and a host of locally sourced,
quality Kentish ingredients, which is exactly what
my guest and I were first wowed by on our arrival
at the Hythe Imperial Hotel, home to fine dining
restaurant Coast.
A clever and thorough refurbishment and
renovation project has enabled the Hythe Imperial
to not only retain its historic charm but to harness
its location and widen its appeal with modern
touches, full length glass windows and
contemporary balconies and terraces.
The classic yet contemporary feel continues into
Coast, its 60-cover restaurant on the ground
floor. Crisp, cool, bright white décor meets subtle
hints of the sea in the form of pale blue hues,
dark wood tables and wood-clad menus, set off
with a touch of glamour from the crystal
chandel iers and mirrors. The result is a bright,
chic dining experience, which is clean and elegant
yet relaxed and welcoming.
The premise of Coast is simple: modern British
cuisine using locally sourced seasonal produce
including meat from Huntleys of Tenterden, eggs
and free range hens from Coastal of Canterbury
and fish from Griggs, which is landed daily from
the beach in front of the dining room. You can’t
get much more local and fresh than that! The
seasonal menus aim to let the ingredients do the
talking rather than fuss with over-elaborate flair

that detracts from the quality ingredients that
have been carefully sourced.
Taking our seats at a table for two in the centre
of the dining room, my guest and I took time to
peruse both the table d'hote and a la carte
menus. We finally made our choices from the a
la carte menu that offered a good selection of
starters and main courses which were split
into categories from ‘the land’, ‘the sea’ and
‘the garden’.
My guest and I opted for the beetroot carpaccio
and scallops to start. The beetroot dish provided
a tasty mix of huge slivers of beetroot topped
with goats’ cheese and pine nuts, whilst the
seared and crisp scallops sat proudly on a bed
of pea purée topped with thin, extra crisp shards
of smoky bacon.

chocolate custard, crisp sugar top and delicately
spiced gingerbread cookie, whilst my guest
indulged in the smooth cheesecake infused with
chocolate and nuts topped with a moorish peanut
butter.
Thank goodness for the promenade beyond that
can offer the opportunity for an evening stroll to
burn off some of those dessert calories...
With main courses starting at £16, daily specials,
dedicated children’s menus, Sunday roasts and
with options for party and group bookings,
Coast at the Hythe Imperial offers a perfect-forall dining option.

Starters devoured, we were presented with our
main courses; my guest’s thin-cut sea bass fillet
was delicately cooked and served with a delicious
salsa verde and seasonal vegetables, whilst my
steak – a thick, juicy sirloin – came with flat
mushrooms and Parisian-style sauté potatoes.
Of course, as is de rigueur here at insideKENT,
we plumped for pudding, which actually caused
me my only concern for the evening as the dessert
menu was rather nut-heavy in its offerings;
however worry not as I was helpfully directed to
a chocolate creme brûlée option from the daily
menu whilst by guest opted for the popular
‘Snickers’ cheesecake. The creme brûlée was
as good as promised with a smooth and sweet

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Hythe Imperial Hotel
Princes Parade
Hythe
CT21 6AE
01303 267 441
www.hytheimperial.co.uk
@HytheImperial