There could be few better joys in life than tucking right into a roast dinner after an extended nation walk with man’s finest good friend.
Fortunately for us right here within the Garden of England there are not any scarcity of high pubs to get pleasure from a spot of Sunday lunch after one in all Kent’s many nice rambles.
But with regards to eating with a four-legged good friend current it’s not all the time clear if she or he is welcome on the pit-stop too.
Many of the nice coastal pubs we’d visited lately in Thanet or Deal proudly show stickers of their window indicating whether or not they’re a dog-friendly or not, however I’ve seen far much less of this in my northern nook of the county.
This can show significantly cumbersome if, like our very personal lockdown pup, they aren’t overly used to crowded set-ups and socialising indoors.
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So after we came upon the Black Horse Inn at Thurnham, close to Bearsted, had in recent instances added a delegated dog-friendly restaurant, aptly named the “Dog Loft”, this gave the impression of the reply to our specific canine conundrum.
The family-run ingesting gap sits squarely on the Pilgrims Way, only a stones throw away from White Horse Wood Country Park on the foot of the North Downs, making it a major location for a canine walk adopted by Sunday lunch.
And so shortly after 3pm on the Lord’s Day we arrived with our ever enthusiastic four-year-old Labrador Mia.
As we stepped contained in the place was completely heaving with common punters on the bar space tussling to refill their jars, in addition to these eating within the adjoining restaurant space.
Thankfully we’d made a reserving and after checking in with one of many hostesses we have been promptly proven upstairs to our separate doggy eating expertise.
However, if our vacation spot had ever been doubtful it was quickly made abundantly clear with the furry clientelle awaiting us making themselves heard properly earlier than we’d made our ascent to the highest.
Given our reservations about our barely anxious Lab we had requested a quieter a part of the venue which was tucked away within the nook of the loft and sadly lacked the house of the opposite tables reserved for larger bookings.
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But what our sales space lacked in pure mild and house the pub itself definitely made up for in environment with characterful picket beams and barrels and ceilings adorned with hops – though there have been just a few rogue indicators in our part which appeared like they have been merely filling a void.
Nevertheless, each nook and cranny appeared to carry its personal secret and the old-school pub placemats gave off homely vibes.
The menu itself is predominately upmarket pub grub with the standard suspects of bangers and mash, pies and the oh so tempting gradual braised pork stomach.
But this was Sunday so there was solely ever one option to make right here: beef, hen or lamb roast?
I’d put the arduous yards in at present so I handled myself to a combo of each the meat and lamb to be accompanied by a pint of the black stuff.
My meal got here served with roast potatoes, carrots and an enormous yorkshire pud, surrounded by a moat of gravy.
Served on the aspect have been two beneficiant sharing parts of broccoli and cauliflower cheese.
From the very first chew it was not arduous to see why these guys have been given the nod for meals gongs lately.
I’d ordered my meat properly executed and have regretted such a choice earlier than – however not this time.
Both the meat and the lamb, like every little thing else on the plate, sliced with ease and every mouthful left me salivating for extra.
The beneficiant coating of gravy solely added to the flavour as I mopped up each final piece.
But the actual check of any nice roast, as any Sunday lunch aficionado will know, is whether or not or not the spuds are as much as spec.
I’m happy to say not solely have been these roast potatoes golden and crispy on the skin they have been additionally fluffy within the center. My solely grievance was there wasn’t sufficient, however then when is there ever?
Another plus level for me was point out on the menu of the place my meals really got here from with efforts to supply all of the produce on my plate as domestically as potential.
Overall, we discovered the environment within the pub to be relaxed and jovial and we relished the chance to dine in with our barely overzealous pup who appeared on much more enviously after sampling a snippet of the meat.
Roasts are served each Sunday between noon and 5pm and there are different elements of the pub not reserved for diners and their canine companions.
Out of 5:
Food: This was among the finest Sunday roasts I’ve had for fairly a while. They acquired all of the fundamentals proper whereas additionally giving their very own take with the aspect accompaniments *****
Drink: My Guinness had a correct head on it and it went down a deal with with my meal so there could be no complaints. If you’re seeking to be extra adventurous there are every kind of lager choices on faucet. ****
Decor: This is an Alladin’s Cave of a pub, albeit with one or two eccentric anomalies. ****
Staff: Many appeared rushed off their ft because it actually was exceptionally busy however our servers have been attentive to us and understanding of our barely nervy canine. ***
Price: Prices begin at £18.50 for a single meat roast, or two combined for £23.50 which for the standard and portion measurement I believed was greater than cheap ****
