BITE CLUB: ROAST DINNERS
The king of dinners, the Sunday Roast remains a big player in Kent... on Sundays obviously
Steve Gadd Pop-up @ The London tavern, Margate
It doesn’t matter whether you’re mowing the lawn, clearing up after a wild party, nursing a hangover, kicking a muddy ball around a freezing pitch, or coming off the beach in Benidorm, Sunday afternoons are for roast dinners.
Granted, the boundaries in what constitutes a roast dinner have changed since Lynda Bellingham first should have forcefully disciplined her gobby children in the old Oxo advert, or Bisto adverts “saved the best for last” (look it up on Youtube, kids), but the intentions are just the same. Warm, large plates of hearty British goodness that make you both sleepy and happy at the same time. Who needs drugs?
Yes, people may see a roast differently; some will fight for their right to ensure the presence of cauliflower on the plate, while others will kick carrots to the kerb and ban broccoli. The insanity of it all.
But we are a roast-friendly magazine, and therefore whatever you believe to be the perfect roast combo is fine by us. We went to numerous venues around the county and have picked out a few favourites (we don’t just make this up, we have eaten at all of these venues!).
The Oak Tavern & Tap House, Sevenoaks
What more can you want? Brilliant Sunday munch in a cosy pub on a cold, wet and windy afternoon... and greeted by lovely people.
And it doesn't just stop at the service!
We tucked into a perfectly cooked scotch egg served with English mustard blobs, then on to a beautiful roast; rare breed, belly of pork with all the trimmings (highly reccomended). But let's focus on that free-range roast chicken we ate, too.
Juicy, rich in flavour and the served with the freshest of everything. I didn't know carrots could get that sweet and the braised red cabbage was a game changer. There was nothing more than satisfying than breaking into the top of the cauliflower cheese, to reveal the smooth and silky hidden treat below.
I don't know when, but we will be back again soon.
Insta: @oaktavernandtaphouse
The Red Lion, Hernhill
The picture postcard of old Kent, The Red Lion at Hernhill may be a 13th-century hall filled with white walls and dark beams, but it has a really modern and trendy vibe filled with top local and international beers as well as great gins and a lively atmosphere.
Known for commandeering the village green when live music and pop-up pizza ovens arrive, arguably its secret weapon comes on a Sunday – the roast.
We may as well say this early: you will need to book in advance.
If you’re going whole hog, a number of starters catch the eye, including the pork shoulder terrine with pickled veg and sourdough (£7.50), but if you just want to get stuck in you have a choice: roast sirloin of 28-day-aged beef (£18.50), roast chicken (£13.50) or roast leg of pork (£15.50), or a mixed roast for £20.
Served with garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes, a panache of seasonal vegetables from
Mallards Farm in nearby Waterham and a giant Yorkshire pudding, these roasts fly out of the door.
For seafood a-fish-ionados there’s the cider-steamed mussels with coarse grain mustard, bacon and crusty baguette (£14), and for vegans a quinoa and black bean chilli con carne with steamed rice and avocado (£13.50).
Insta: @hernhillredlion
Roast Pork at The Red Lion, Hernhill
Steve Gadd Pop-Up @ The London Tavern, Margate
Who knows where Steve will end up next, but be sure to follow him on Instagram to find out... you won't want to miss it.
This time, he's situated in the London Tavern Margate
(a cracking little spot packed with locals) being sat on the reclaimed furniture, certainly set the scene for what was to come.
Firstly a mention for Steve's own hand-made Sourdough with salted Blox butter, crunchy and soft... woah.
For starters, ceck out the salt cod croquettas with aioli. Perfectly light and crispy on the outside with a fluffy, fishy center and just a hint of paprika!
On to the main and mayyyte, what a generous slab of sirloin beef with horseradish cream! This guy's not playing about. It is served with roasties cooked to perfection, cauliflower cheese and, what can only be descibed as a creamy sensation - the swede and carrots are mashed into 'Swarrot'. It's fricking delightful.
Book ahead, you won't be dissapointed.
Insta: @stevogadd. & @thelondontavernmargate_
The Old Coach & Horses, Harbledown
On the outskirts of Canterbury and in the heart of the picturesque village of Harbledown, the two-storey pub has a touch of the razzle-dazzle about it.
Impeccably turned out, with a carefully selected group of cask ales, lagers and fine wines,
The Old Coach & Horses has got the city chic but with countryside values. Great service and stunning local food.
With a sloped garden and sun-trap terrace in summer, or a roaring fire in winter, it is both a great place to start your night out in Canterbury and one to settle down in after a walk in the woods.
On our visit we were seduced into a starting off with a homemade sage-and-onion sausage roll, completed by a kicking Masterbrew Ale chutney (£7.95) to set it off.
To the roast… a three-meats combo did tempt, with sirloin of Anderson farm beef, roast chicken and gammon ham with sausage-meat stuffing (£24), but it was the slow-roasted pork belly with crispy crackling and homemade apple sauce (£16) that won the day. With red cabbage, broad beans, carrots, goose-fat roasted potatoes and homemade Yorkshire pudding, it was a belt-notch-buster of the highest quality.
The meats are sourced from Canterbury butcher E Hedgers, the greens from Whitstable’s BVS Fruit & Veg, fresh fish and game from Linton Seafoods in west Kent and eggs from Woodlands Poultry Farm.
Insta: @thepubinharbledown
Revival, Whitstable
With Sixties decor and customers able to bring in their own vinyl, the Revival Ice Cream Parlour and Veggie Vinyl Eatery in Whitstable is like few other dining outlets in Kent.
A social enterprise initiative run by mental-health charity Mind in Bexley, the not-for-profit venue prides itself on catering to many dietary requirements; in fact 80% of the menu is gluten-free or vegan.
With dishes all made fresh to order, customers can make their preference known before the process starts, meaning the Sunday roasts are perfect for people looking for something different.
Of course, most of a roast is naturally vegan anyway, and Revival goes to town on the veg. A carrot-and-swede mash, steamed broccoli and peas, maple roasted pecan parsnips and perfectly roasted potatoes. The main dishes are made from scratch and customers can choose from a no-steak and ale pie with a mushroom filling and rich sauce or a quinoa, nut-and-veg roast, finished off with onion-and-red-wine gravy (£10.95).
Have a look out for the jackfruit-and-vegetable pot pie (£10.95) and the butternut squash, beetroot and kale pesto wellington (£10.95).
Insta: @revival_whitstable