The Wife of Bath, a stylish and comfortable restaurant and bar with rooms in the heart of Kent, has long been recognised as one of the county’s most popular dining destinations.
Having first opened as a restaurant in 1962, The Wife of Bath revels in tradition and heritage, but without ever feeling stuffy or old-fashioned. The dining room here is a rustic chic affair, following a muted colour palette and featuring exposed wooden flooring, beech wood tables and chairs and a brick fireplace. Look closely and you will spot a few nods to the building’s heritage too, via archways with intricate plasterwork and semi-frosted windows etched with enchanting patterns.
The à la carte is a lesson in refined contemporary dining, championing the best of British produce. To start, tuck into the likes of a crab and salmon sausage roll with brown crab ketchup, or shaved fillet of cured beef with dripping fried toast, onion puree and salsa verde. For your main course, you can choose from options such as glazed monkfish that is cooked over embers and served with roasted carrots, or slow-cooked pork belly completed by cabbage puree and paprika crackling.
When it comes to the pudding menu, guests with a savoury tooth can finish up with a cheeseboard, biscuits and preserves. If you prefer more traditionally sweet fare, pick from a selection of desserts that includes caramelised apple tart with cinnamon ice cream and vanilla buttermilk panna cotta served with pears poached in red wine.
After all of that delicious food, you will likely need a lie down, so it is a good job that The Wife of Bath boasts six stylishly appointed rooms for overnight stays.