FOOD + DRINK
The Smokehouse Bar Menu at The Bull Hotel BY KATIE PHILLIPS
What do you get when inspiration from the USA meets the English passion for barbecue ? The Smokehouse Bar menu at The Bull in Wrotham , that ’ s what !
The Bull is a little gem in a worthy setting . The unique hotel has a quaint restaurant that has plenty to offer , from the cosy ambience with walls hung with spitfire history to the great à la carte menu , to being the only destination in Kent for authentic BBQ food with their Smokehouse menu … a meat eater ’ s paradise !
Spoilt for choice , for starters I opted for the pint glass full of fruity chilli chicken wings , and my guest had the Bull sausage from local Harvel House Farm with Martin ' s secret recipe , which added a little extra tantalising flavour and definitely got the tastebuds tingling .
Our main courses of the 10-hour oak smoked beef rib and the 10-hour alder wood smoked pulled pork were smoked on the specially imported Texan Ole Hickory smoker , which gives an intense flavour hit and a truly authentic American BBQ taste . Our choices were bold and unfussy where the flavours did the talking . The steak was heavenly , cooked on the state-of-theart Big Green Egg , it was so tender and packed with big BBQ flavours . It was cooked on the state-of-the-art Big Green Egg and was so tender and packed with BBQ flavours . It certainly gave you that ' melt in your mouth ' experience .
Accompanying the mains were cups of fries , which were delicious , and we couldn ' t resist a side portion of mac & cheese , which added to the American vibe . We were also provided with a selection of homemade , freshly prepared sauces , including their own recipe ketchup , made from an inventive array of different ingredients .
The Bull ' s owner , Martin Deadman , hand picks a fantastic selection of craft beers , which change every week . On this particular evening , we chose to wash our meals down with The Kernel Brewery ' s Pale Ale – a perfect pairing with our gorgeous BBQ .
Then just when I thought I couldn ' t eat any more , we were presented with the dessert menu . By this point my mind was willing but my body was struggling to eat another mouthful ; however , upon viewing the host of goodies , I simply couldn ’ t refuse . I was torn between the chocolate pistachio brownie garnished with balsamic fruits , or the palette-cooling roasted paprika-cured pineapple with lime tarragon sorbet . But , being a serious chocolate lover I couldn ’ t resist the brownie and I wasn ’ t disappointed with my choice . My guest went for the strawberry Eton mess and both desserts were a delightful ending to a fine meal , even though afterwards I was having an ' eyes are bigger than my belly ' moment !
To top the meal off , the service was impeccable and their reputation is well deserved . Definitely worth a visit !
The Bull Hotel Bull Lane / Wrotham / TN15 7RF 01732 789800 www . thebullhotel . com
@ thebullwrotham @ thebullwrotham
/ thebullwrotham
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