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| Superb pork belly |
The Sportsman gets nothing but rave reviews. Of the frothing at the mouth and hyperventilating with praise variety. It's a cosy pub on a bleak stretch of English coastline that serves up really lovely pub grub, cooked very well and sourced perfectly from marvellous local produce. Yes, it's been overhyped in my opinion - but it's certainly a place for a feel good, hearty, seasonal lunch.
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| Oysters with warm beurre blanc, pickled cucumber and caviar - yes, as good as they sound |
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| Excellent grilled slip sole in seaweed butter |
The food and wine are terrific, although the surrounds are dated and entirely devoid of frills. And that's fine with me since the food's good - but just don't go expecting something different. Because that's the thing - you travel about 2 hours from your front door in London to your first drink at The Sportsman, so it HAS to be good.
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| Fab local chicken |
This meal was eaten on a rainy summers weekend, some weeks ago now. So, don't test me on the details. I'll let the pictures do the talking and leave you with my general impression. Not quite the food Mecca I was expecting, but sverall a lovely lunch, with highlights like superb pork belly and slip sole worthy of the train ride and the taxi ride from London.
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| Cheese platter |
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| Chocolate tart |
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| Iced cream cheese and strawberry (with little meringuey bits on top) - original but ho hum |
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| And to finish.... | | | | | | | | | |
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We ate a la carte, but book ahead if you want to try the tasting menu.
The Sportsman, Faversham Road, Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent (Tel: 012 2727 3370)
