insideKENT Magazine Issue 54 - September 2016 | Page 35
FOOD+DRINK
ROMANCE
is in the air
Food and romance have had a long history together, coupling
up cosily for dates, anniversaries, special occasions, and just
because. The term ‘made with love’ has never been more apt
than when linked to gorgeous food, and studies show that dishes
made for and by a loved one actually taste better to those for
whom they are intended – love can actually be tasted.
But what is better than cooking food for someone you love?
Going out to a romantic restaurant with them, of course. And
Kent has more than its fair share of places to enjoy a bit of alone
time – just you, your partner, and some fantastic food.
Rocksalt
Rocksalt, Folkestone
There’s something about listening to the waves
of the sea that makes any dinner for two instantly
more romantic. And thanks to the gorgeous
terrace that Rocksalt is so rightly proud of, you
and your loved one can sit in the open air and
enjoy that sound, as well as stunning views. Even
if the weather and the season aren’t conducive
to a meal outside, the interior of this restaurant
and bar has lovely low lighting and exquisite
décor. With a wide range of cocktails, locally
sourced ingredients (that make dishes such as
apple cured Rye Bay scallops with celery and
fennel and whole Dover sole grilled with
hollandaise or pan-fried with brown caper butter),
and rooms for an overnight stay, Rocksalt has
romance in hand.
www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk
Five Bells Inn, Brabourne
The Five Bells Inn is special. There is romance
seemingly built into the brickwork, letting anyone
who enters know that this is a place that they
can relax in, indulge in, and enjoy. Candlelit dinners
for two are a specialty here, and the food is
ambitious, delicious and locally sourced wherever
possible. Examples of the food on offer at the
Five Bells Inn include minted lamb chops with
chargrilled vegetables, sweet potato chips, and
a yoghurt, spring onion and coriander salad; the
Five Bells fish platter; and the intriguing and
delectable chocolate indulgence. But you can
stay for more than dinner at this wonderful, rustic,
romantic restaurant and pub. There are rooms
for an overnight stay which – with large, freestanding copper baths and open fires, and the
chance to come down to breakfast and the smell
of freshly baked bread – make any occasion all
that more special.
www.fivebellsinnbrabourne.com
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Amici, Ashford
Ashford’s Amici is a family-run Italian restaurant
that offers its diners authentic tastes from all
across Italy. The chefs are both Italian, and the
restaurant itself is cosy and intimate, offering a
romantic place to eat where all you need to think
about is each other – and what food you might
want to choose. The choice is a great one, and
everything is fresh and cooked with passion. Try
the arancini al salmone affumicato (homemade
Sicilian smoked salmon and peas with rice balls
and an arrabbiata sauce on the side); the linguine
all’astice e gamberoni (lobster and king prawn
linguine with tomato, chilli, garlic, and lobster
bisque); or even the risotto frutti di mare (carnaroli
rice with tiger prawns, calamari, mussels, clams,
garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes flavoured with
Sardinian saffron in a tomato based sauce).
www.amici-ashford.co.uk