insideKENT Magazine Issue 42 - September 2015 | Page 51

FOOD+DRINK

Kent’s Top Lunch Spots
As Milton Friedman so famously said: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” True, perhaps,
but there is certainly such a thing as a great lunch, a delicious lunch, an unforgettable
lunch, and a special lunch. In Kent, we are lucky enough to have a seemingly infinite
selection of places to dine at lunchtime, and many of them are superb. Take a look at our
extraordinary selection below, and prepare to feel hungry… BY LISAMARIE LAMB
Chapter One

The Windmill

www.chapteronerestaurant.co.uk // Locksbottom

www.thewindmillbyrichardphillips.co.uk // Hollingbourne

The Windmill by Richard Phillips is
where distinctive character, real ales,
fine wines and good, wholesome food
combine to create the ideal pub
environment for thirsty passersby to
avid foodies alike. The Windmill is very
much a community pub whilst
retaining a welcome to tourists and
those in search of a great night out;
a place where local and seasonal fare
are as much of the experience as the
proud heritage of the village. The Windmill is a totally different Richard Phillips
experience, but retains the quality, passion, and attentive service for which
his restaurants are known.

Chapter One is what fine dining is all about. It is exceptional food in a stylish
setting, an extensive list of carefully chosen wines, impeccable service with
meticulous attention to detail, and outstanding value for money. This is a
first-class dining experience that's contemporary and cosmopolitan –
inspired modern-European cooking making the most of fresh, seasonal
ingredients. Yet it's also firmly rooted in traditional culinary excellence, subtly
referencing the elegance, refinement and integrity. It's this winning combination
that has won them plenty of awards, most recently the Kent Life Restaurant
of the Year and Chef of the Year.

Secret Garden

Rocksalt

www.secretgardenkent.co.uk // Mersham

www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk // Folkestone

The Secret Garden is a beautiful restaurant set amongst the wonderful Kent
countryside. With sumptuous views over the large Victorian walled garden
and cobbled courtyard, you will feel relaxed and revived. The ethos of the
chef and owners of The Secret Garden is ‘best of British’ and they offer
excellent local seasonal food at all times, aiming to use only produce sourced
from Kent – not one of their excellent suppliers (including J.C. Rook & Sons,
Shepherd Neame, Chapel Down, and Bank Farm) are more than 15 miles
away from them.

The heart and soul of Rocksalt is the beautiful restaurant. With its Cherner
chairs and marble facade, the bar is a fitting welcome to a stunning room.
Cantilevered over the harbour, the floor-to-ceiling glass wall gives every
table a view of the harbour, and on a clear day, France. The main section
of the restaurant has lime washed oak flooring and dark timber tables,
giving it a luxurious but simple feel. The room is surrounded by green leather
banquettes, which provide the perfect vantage from which to see the tide
roll in and the fishing boats land the day's catch.

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