The Sportsman - Pubs In Seasalter - Country Pubs In Kent

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The Sportsman - Pubs In Seasalter - Country Pubs In Kent

I made my fourth visit to the Sportsman on Friday, the standards are just as high as when the review below was originally written. For a party of four (three first courses, four mains, one dessert, three coffees, two bottles of mineral water and a reasonable bottle of white) the total cost was just under £110. Pound for pound this is consistently one of the best restaurant in Kent that I have visited.

Starters of: Native Oysters, Leek and Parmesan Risotto and Mussels. Mains of Monkshill Lamb and Pork Belly, all wonderful

The Sportsman is a well known Kent food pub having been mentioned in dispatches by many national broadsheets, local papers and various good food and good pub guides. It has been (on more than one occasion) the Shepherd Neame Food Pub Of The Year.

The pub's reputation means that it attracts food luvvies and the 'gastropub' cognoscenti. But don't let this put you off.

Picture if you will a blustery autumn day along the flatlands of the North Kent coast. Take a brisk walk the two miles from Whitstable, arrive at the pub just after noon on a Sunday lunchtime with rosy cheeks and frozen ears. Enter the the warm hubbub, take a long draught from your drink of choice then set down and choice from the menu....Emerge 90 minutes later; stuffed, warm and content. Now that's a real Kentish pub lunch.

The Sportsman is a little off the beaten track on the Faversham road at Seasalter just outside Whitstable. Overlooking the beach, the outside of the building is a little weatherworn but the interior is very pleasant. The pub has a conservatory and beer garden and is set just beneath the sea wall.

It's a Shepherd Neame pub and as such they stock the usual selection of fine beers and lagers; Master Brew, Strongbow, Guinness. There is a good wine list and an excellent menu.

When we visited there was a focus on fresh local fish: smoked eel, oysters (naturally) and cod. Meat main courses included; Coq au vin, pork, beef and duck.

Friendly atmosphere in pleasant surroundings, young table and bar staff provided quick unfussy service. Booking is advisable particularly at weekends.

The Sportsman

Faversham Road
Seasalter
Whitstable
01227 273370

T Conner emailed with his comments;

"We went to The Sportsman for the first time this month. It was the first bleak night of the year and pulling up outside, we were in two minds about the personal recommendations that we had been given! The sign was not illuminated and there was scaffolding surrounding the building. The pub looked dark except for one bright kitchen window where the chef was actively preparing for the evening ahead! Reservations melted as we entered the bar and were greeted by really welcoming staff. And a large, clear, blackboard of the choices that were difficult to make.

Service was good - and prompt and we enjoyed our food immensely. We chose pork belly and ray - both came with proper roasties cooked in fat and seasonal greens. The high point for us was an antipasto starter for two which, at £11.95 you weigh up, but it was a platter filled with treats, cured ham, fresh figs, oysters, coronation chicken, artichoke....with plentiful crusty baguette it was a meal on it's own!

Having said that, it was impossible not to have dessert out of curiosity. We were pleasantly surprised with the first two courses so....need I say more?

T Conner"

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