It is not often that you get to experience a true delight, you sometimes need to pick the occasion or it is just because you want a special time without a true reason. When such an occasion rode in on a full white stallion, we grabbed the reins and went to the Hide and Fox in Hythe, Kent.
In 2024 they received a Michelin Star and earlier this year, they got their second, a big moment for them. Even though it is a very good award to get for any restaurant these days, whether they want it or not, as it just happens, I do not pick a restaurant because it has them. It is something I do not care about. I want good reviews from trusted sources. I have eaten in some terrible Michelin star rated establishments, however, here at the Hide and Fox, it is very well deserved.
This is not a stuffy white tablecloth, pretentious restaurant, they have not raised prices with each award, it is priced for the time, effort and quality of the food produced. This is a simple space that serves great food, amazingly paired wines and has service that alone would have me going back again and again, if the budget allowed.
It was quiet the night we went, probably as late January, with just two other tables and the quiet relaxed space really helped me melt into the evening. And with an option of menus for certain tastes, normal, just fish, vegetarian, no fish, along with the choice of five or eight courses I was in heaven. I went with the normal having no issue to try everything as it was planned and who needs to think about the next one, eight courses please and the wine pairing.
The menu for this evening was; South Coast Mackerel (with kohlrabi, grapefruit, horseradish and coriander), Morel Mushrooms (with fricassee, confit egg yolk, chervil root), Haricot Bean Soup (veal sweetbreads, alsace bacon, chive), Salt Cod (winter vegetables, shellfish, basil), Venison (swede, golden raisin, jasmine sauce), Baron Bigod (Jamaica cake, conference pear), Apple (vanilla mousse, apple caramel, buttermilk) and finally a Custard Tart (Yorkshire rhubarb, kaffir lime, lemongrass) and with the full wine pairings from English to Spain, it was a heavenly evening.
Whilst deciding to have a coffee and with some time before the taxi arrived for our departure, we sided on one more full glass of the wine which we loved the most, before the caffeine fix. I went with the Red that was beautifully paired with my Venison, but in my haste to eat and drink and for once not thinking like a writer, I do not recall what I drank. A shame, but everything was so that I was away in enjoying life, the point of the trip to this hidden but famously well known gem.
Allister Barsby and Alice Bussi and created such a great restaurant, the style is no nonsense and the Allisters food is what speaks to you and the wine Alice brings leaves me speechless, I will be back and always tell everyone to go if they can, it is a mouth-watering spot and hope it long may continue.