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Samphire

Kent, Whitstable - Modern British - Restaurant - ££

A friendly local asset known for its keenly priced seasonal cooking

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

‘Local owners, local ingredients, English wines, great menu leaning towards fish (harbour town), friendly, not too many tables, just a great, great place.' There's no doubt that Samphire defines a genuine neighbourhood restaurant for many of our readers. Its popularity stems from reasonable prices, cheerful service and the fact that it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Ingredients come from a network of well-chosen local suppliers, and the resulting dishes reflect the seasons – as in an ‘amazing’ asparagus, ricotta and potato pithivier with leeks and pea purée or grilled day-boat mackerel with beetroot and samphire. Come here, too, for hefty cuts of meat from the Portico grill – porterhouse steaks or bacon chops with burnt apple butter and creamed leeks, for example. The set weekday lunch (two or three courses plus a glass of house wine) is ‘an absolute bargain’, delivering the likes of rich chicken liver parfa...

‘Local owners, local ingredients, English wines, great menu leaning towards fish (harbour town), friendly, not too many tables, just a great, great place.' There's no doubt that Samphire defines a genuine neighbourhood restaurant for many of our readers. Its popularity stems from reasonable prices, cheerful service and the fact that it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Ingredients come from a network of well-chosen local suppliers, and the resulting dishes reflect the seasons – as in an ‘amazing’ asparagus, ricotta and potato pithivier with leeks and pea purée or grilled day-boat mackerel with beetroot and samphire. Come here, too, for hefty cuts of meat from the Portico grill – porterhouse steaks or bacon chops with burnt apple butter and creamed leeks, for example.

The set weekday lunch (two or three courses plus a glass of house wine) is ‘an absolute bargain’, delivering the likes of rich chicken liver parfait followed by a huge bowl of mussels in a 'holy trinity' Creole sauce with a dollop of smoked prawn butter and a thick slice of chestnut bread to mop up the juices – top shouts when we visited.

To finish, there might be summer pudding with Kentish strawberries and clotted cream. The wine list majors in Europe, whips quickly round the world and offers a good by-the-glass selection.

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B Paton

24 November 2023

3 course lunch with glass of wine exceptional value at £30 Staff so nice and friendly and food delicious. Couldn’t fault it

VENUE DETAILS

4 High Street
Whitstable
Kent
CT5 1BQGB

01227 770075

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OTHER INFORMATION

Family friendly, Deposit required

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