insideKENT Magazine Issue 51 - June 2016 | Page 41
FOOD+DRINK
SUNDAY LUNCH
Fit for a Queen
It was on a beautiful early
summer Sunday afternoon
that I found myself driving
up the leafy, winding drive
to the beautiful Eastwell
Manor. Situated just a short
distance from Ashford in the
heart of the Eastwell Park
estate, Eastwell Manor sits
proudly at the end of the gravel drive, amongst
perfectly sculptured lawns, carefully tended gardens
and in the midst of glorious countryside views, like
a hidden gem enclosed in its high brick perimeter
walls. The bright summer rays only added to the
stunning views and to the splendor and allure of the
grand manor house. BY SAMANTHA G
Eastwell Manor's origins date back as far as the
Domesday Book, with a rich and varied history
of regal connections. Queen Victoria frequently
stayed at the house, visiting her grandchildren.
The Manor is simply delightful – the ornate
stonework, the imposing grandeur, the stunning
grounds and views and the wonderfully warm
welcome from the dedicated team with a passion
for faultless customer service and standards – it
is no surprise as to why this is a such a popular
place, not just for visiting royalty!
And of course with head chef Neil Wiggins'
inspired team at the helm in the restaurant, my
guests and I needed no persuasion to return,
especially when we were able to combine the
delight of a family Sunday lunch with the plush
comfortable dining room, fresh Kentish produce
and traditional modern British menu.
Escorted to our corner table to the sounds of the
relaxed jazz tinkling on the ivories from the resident
pianist, it was apparent that the Sunday lunch
appeal wasn’t solely ours. A host of diners also
settled into the refined Manor Restaurant dining
room and perused the lunch menu, from which
my guests and I had soon chosen the carrot
soup and the pork terrine to start.
The soup was rich, smooth and creamy with a
tastebud-tingling hint of spice and warmth and
was soon devoured not just by my older guest,
but by the youngest too with calls of ‘more please
mummy!’ My pork terrine arrived as a thick hearty
slab of delicious textures, and the taste of the
different cuts hitting the palate was wonderful,
offset with sweet beetroot and a fresh piccalilli.
But of course our focus was on our main course.
After seeing the silver service trolley calling at
neighbouring tables, my guest opted for the roast
pork, which came plated with crisp roast potatoes,
braised red cabbage, carrots and green beans;
whilst I, (swayed by the trolley), and my younger
guests opted for the roast sirloin of beef which
is carved table side, meaning that portions could
be adjusted for the little ones and also allowing
diners to choose how they would like their meat
cooked. The tender, flavoursome beef was served
with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and a rich
red wine jus as well as seasonal vegetables.
It wasn’t long before my guests decided that
pudding was necessary, and after much decision
making and agreements to share we opted for
the vanilla crème brûlée, the lemon tart and the
sticky toffee pudding. My guest’s brûlée was just
as it should be with just the right amount of vanilla,
and the honey Madeleine certainly didn’t last long
enough to share! The lemon tart was sharp and
zingy, offset by the delightful raspberry sorbet –
this was the clear summer dish of the three, but
I claimed pudding winner with my sticky toffee
pudding. The rich, sweet-sticky pudding was
awash with hot butterscotch sauce and cool
vanilla ice cream; batting away the waiting spoons
it was almost instantly devoured.
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Talk was easy around the cosy round table (when
we paused from the lunch before us), drinks
flowed from the attentive maitre d’ and the dulcet
piano melodies were wonderful.
Once lunch was finished we were able to venture
out of the archway door to the grounds beyond
where we ambled around the Maid’s Garden, the
Rose Garden and the fountain whilst the girls ran
carefree amongst the tall hedges – a perfect end
to a perfect Sunday afternoon at the Manor.
Eastwell Manor, Hotel, Spa & Golf
Eastwell Park
Boughton Lees
Ashford
TN25 4HR
01233 213000
[email protected]
www.eastwellmanor.co.uk
@EastwellManor
/eastwell.manor