FOOD+DRINK
sunday lunch perfection
A WARM WELCOME, COMFORTABLE DINING, PROUDLY OFFERED
KENTISH PRODUCE AND LIP-SMACKINGLY GOOD DISHES – IT CAN
ONLY BE SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE KINGS HEAD, WYE. BY SAMANTHA G
The Kings Head stands prominently at the heart
of Church Street, the main thoroughfare in Wye,
a quaint historic village set at the foot of the North
Downs. After finding their way down South,
northerners Mark and Scott realised the potential
of the old building, its beautiful location and the
plentiful supply of fantastic local Kentish produce,
and set about creating their gastro vision. The
result is a lovely ‘restaurant with rooms’, which
have all been recently refurbished, with a clear
focus on perfection, style and quality, but with a
relaxed and welcoming vibe.
Walking through the doors, on a somewhat
dull and drizzly Sunday afternoon, it was a
welcome surprise to find a light, airy bar and
dining space, decorated in pale greys, natural
wood and leather touches, with prominent
displays of local produce, which is sold in the
bar as well as being fully utlised on the menu.
The bar, as well as boasting a varied menu
including local ales and ‘wines of the month,’
also offered fresh, locally baked cakes and
brownies, which seemed to cry ‘eat me’ from
under their glass domed displays stands.
Luckily my guests and I were swiftly shown
to our table and were distracted from the brownies
(just) by the daily menu which has a tempting
array of ‘Nibbles to Share’ including the likes of
Wye Bakery bread, Kentish oil, flatbreads, cured
meats, pickles and cheese and leads into a well
conceived ‘Starters and Small plates’ selection.
We happily created a combination of tasty sharing
dishes – bread, hummus, olives, Camembert
and a deliciously smooth tomato soup.
Being the last day of the week, the star of
the menu is the Sunday Lunch which on this
occasion was a choice of vegetarian roast, beef,
lamb or pork; or for those of you as indecisive
(and greedy) as me a ‘mixed roast’ which offers
all three meats.
Now I’ll let you into a little secret: my alltime favourite dinner, without doubt, is a good
ol’ fashioned Sunday roast, and I feel somewhat
of a connoisseur with a mission to devour every
last perfect roast potato. So when I know I’m
dining out on a Sunday there is always some
trepidation as I wait with bated breath to see
whether the dish that arrives is going to fall into
the ‘good to great’ rating, rather than the category
involving pale roasties, limp Yorkshires,
overcooked, tasteless meat and veg combos
that, frankly, too many places seem happy to
churn out to their waiting diners.
It wasn’t long until my fears were well and
truly allayed as set in front of me was a heaving
plate of pink tender slices of beef, rich tasty pork
with crisp crackling and delicate soft chunks of
lamb – all supplied by local producers, Lukehurst
Farm in Wye, Jamie Emberson in Bilting, and the
Good’s Shed in Canterbury. This mouthwatering
mixed meat selection was accompanied by fluffy
roast potatoes with that all-important crispy
crunch and the crowning glory, a huge Yorkshire
pudding. And that wasn’t all, as the side dishes
kept coming: cabbage, broccoli, creamy swede,
cauliflower cheese, and a plethora of perfectly
roasted veg all enrobed in a rich, tasty gravy.
Roast dinner, greatness box, fully ticked!
If you have even an ounce of room left then
there is a tempting dessert menu too. The
75
chocolate fondue, which just so happened to
come with those bar-side brownies, as well as
homemade marshmallows, fresh fruit and
popping candy, was a delight for my daughter
and the big kids around the table too!
As well as joining the heady ranks of my
top roast dinner shortlist, just a short while after
my visit, The Kings Head was shortlisted (again!)
as a finalist for Kent Dining Pub of the Year at
the Taste of Kent Awards 2016.
With its laid-back charm, beautifully presented
dishes and honestly tasty food, it should definitely
make your shortlist for your next dining out
experience too.
The Kings Head
Church Street
Wye
Ashford
TN25 5BN
01233 812418
www.kingsheadwye.com
/TheKingsHeadWye
@king 6