insideKENT Magazine Issue 52 - July 2016 | Page 54

FOOD + DRINK
Amongst the many things that our county gets so right are quaint historical settings and freshly prepared Kentish produce . So it ’ s even better when the two come together so beautifully , which is certainly the case at

The Bistro AT LYMPNE CASTLE

Situated in a former stable block adjacent to the castle in the tiny quiet village of Lympne , The Bistro opened its giant wooden stable doors to reveal its sleek and shiny floor-toceiling windows just last November , and Ruth Denzey and her team have well and truly got their feet under the table with an inventive menu and layout . BY SAMANTHA READY
The Bistro has made the most of its rustic setting but uses clean lines , fresh colours and modern artwork and contemporary wooden tables and chairs to add to the ambience . Upon arrival on one of the first sunshine-filled days of early summer , I was impressed with the ample outside dining space at the large round and picnic-style tables in the courtyard . On this occasion we opted for a large window table inside so that we could not only enjoy the sun-fuelled views outside , but also watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen .
Having a full view of the kitchen not only adds to the excitement , but it also allows The Bistro to offer a range of special cooking events and classes which are detailed on large signs on the walls ; and of course this also means that the aromas from the kitchen start to tempt the tastebuds even before the food arrives .
In terms of the menu there is a seasonal breakfast , light bites and lunch menu which is served daily , offering tempting options such as potato cakes with smoked salmon , pancakes , cassoulet , tacos and sharing platters . At the end of the week ( or beginning , depending on how you look at it ), enjoy Sunday Lunch or a Sunday BBQ during the hotter summer months , and you can also indulge in daily specials or dinner on Fridays and Saturdays .
My guests and I had the pleasure of dining on a Sunday afternoon and the beauty of the menu meant that all of our dietary needs and preferences could be accounted for : the pescatarian chose the seafood linguine , which presented itself as a huge steaming bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with a rich white wine , cream and tomato sauce , with delicate and flavoursome morsels of seafood , served with a moreish garlic flatbread ; the dieter opted for the red pepper quiche from the daily special ’ s board , and was delighted with the slab of ham , peppers , mushroom and egg quiche on its crisp and flaky pastry case , which came with a fresh salad and new potatoes ; whilst my third guest and I opted for the Sunday lunch – one pork and one beef – which appeared as a heaving plate of freshly carved meat , Yorkshire pudding , roast potatoes , green beans , carrots and a tasty cauliflower and broccoli cheese all with just the right amount of rich gravy .
These dishes were enough to satisfy us for the rest of the day , but there was no way I was passing up the chance to sample one of the tempting homemade cakes which I had been drooling over since I ’ d arrived , and which were a popular choice for those stopping by for a slice and a coffee whilst we dined . Having finally settled for the chocolate fudge cake ( with two spoons in an attempt to feel less greedy !), no sooner had it arrived it was gone – every last moist chocolaty morsel devoured , with a vow to return to sample the other treats on offer .
Pleasantly sated my guests and I ambled off across the courtyard into the afternoon sunshine extremely happy to have found this little hidden gem .
The Bistro at Lympne Castle The Street Lympne Kent CT21 4LQ 01303 267 644 info @ thebistro-kent . co . uk www . thebistro-kent . co . uk
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