It was my mums 71st birthday today so we took her to Eastwell Manor in Ashford. We like the venue - well Sarah and I got married there so we must like it! It is quite close to us, and spending a lunch time there, sitting outside looking at the grounds is lovely way to while the afternoon away. I have to admit that it is not my first choice for food, but in Kent we are quite limited. At a paltry £15 for 3 courses though it has to the best value lunches in Kent if you are looking for a restaurant that has Michelin Starred aspirations, but does not quite cut the mustard.
We arrived to a warm welcome and sat outside on the terrace (view from the grounds to the terrace above) to enjoy our aperitifs and peruse the menu. I opted for chicken livers served with grilled goats cheese and pine nuts. Mother and Sarah went for the prawn cocktail. We all went for a "Barnsley lamb chop" for a main course. Had I been listening I would have ordered the pork to have something different, but never mind.
I was concerned when I ordered my wine on the terrace that it was going to be past its best - it was a Portuguese from 1995. But I like to try off the wall wines in restaurants so gave it ago. I voiced my concerns to the waiter and he assured me that if it was over the hill, they would replace it with another of my choice.
We were led to our table in a timely manner, only to find it was right next door to a pianist playing away. I immediately asked if we could please be moved as my pet hate is music whilst eating in a restaurant. Why do these county house hotels do it???? Perhaps the answer would become clearer later on...
We enjoyed a selection of breads including tomato and Parmesan and Rosemary which were very good. The starters arrived and all looked well. They tasted good as well, The goats cheese worked surprisingly well with the livers, and there was not so much it was overpowering. The pine nuts added texture. The prawns were small and pre frozen (I imagine) and served in a Martini glass. This is all very well if you are 6 foot tall - but if like my wife and mother you are under 5.7" the top of the glass is at eye level almost! This makes it hard to eat....No brown bread and butter was served which is a must.
The wine was actually ok - the primary fruit had long disappeared but the secondary flavors were very pleasant. My only gripe that after having the initial glass served no-one topped me up at all. I am happy pouring my own wine but at these prices it is astonishing that it was not served. Observing other tables, they were all in the same position.
We had great difficulty in getting someone's attention to ask for more bread - we managed eventually though.
Our main courses came covered in a closh. Upon lifting they waitress announced with great announcement "Ladies and Gentleman" and then lifted the from the plates! Such pretentious crap should have died in 1990. But perhaps this is what Eastwell is about - a bygone era food wise. The piano is testament to this as was the lack of guests under the age of 60. It did have a feel of a retirement luncheon club for the well off!
The lamb was fine, although it only came with 8 (yes 8) Haricot Vert. Now this is about one mouthful for me and clearly not enough.
The fact is though that at £15 for 3 course it does offer exceptional value food wise. You are not going to get the expensive ingredients and this is not a problem at all. What concerns me is that we could have gone A La Carte and paid £50-£75 a head plus wine and had exactly the same level of service. This is what separates the ok from the good and the great (if of course the food is of the standard) It is not worthy of a Michelin Star but it does produce very acceptable food on the lunch menu at an unbeatable price.
Overall it was a lovely lunch in a lovely location - a good time was had by all!
Sarah (who is 24 weeks pregnant) on the terrace
My mother Daphne
Me..
The wine..
Recent Comments