The seafood courses were my favourites, but vegetable-only and meat-based dishes held their own. There was very little to fault in the meal and with the relaxed and friendly service, I'd even brave SouthEastern to get another taste of the terrific brill braised in vin jaune sauce.
This was the reason for our short break, our intention was to take the coastal walk from whitstable to the restaurant but the typical bloody British weather ruined this plan as it poured with rain! So we arrived by taxi.
Anyway great local produce served in such a relaxed casual atmosphere. A Michelin star pub that is a restaurant but still actually feels like a pub. The food was great, loved the presentation of the oysters, the lamb main and greengage soufflé were perfection!
I don’t even think it would be rude to describe The Sportsman as a run down old boozer – if anything it might even be a compliment. But that is most certainly its charm. Along with it being by the sea, if the weather is good, it’s all rather beautiful. It’s even got a Michelin star.
On a bed of shells, then came the Oysters – a rock oyster with beurre blanc, pickled cucumber & herring roe / a rock oyster with rhubarb granita & crystalised seaweed and, my favourite, a Whitstable native with home made chorizo.
A delight. We have eaten here twice now. The service is relaxed and friendly and the food excellent. For a started I had smoked mackerel which was delicate and not overpowering in smokiness or oiliness. For a main course I had brill which was meaty and very well cooked. And the desserts were great.
On top of this they have a great wine list with unusual new world wines at extremely reasonable prices.
On top of this you get to walk along the shore at Seasalter before or afterwards.
Highly recommended.
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If you want swanky or flash decor don't bother! If you want memorable flavours textures then make the effort to pop down. I took photos of the menu to help make our mind up. Home made butter and breads set the tone. Isabel (the Birthday Girl age withheld for legal reasons but well over 30) had the Mackerel for starter I had the Slip Sole both fresh as you like and packed with flavour the Sole was firm and subtle. The mackerel ballanced flavours amazingly We both had the cod with fennel pure and crab bisque which was stunning I closed my eyes and tried to savour every moment on the toungue, it took me to heaven Izzy was there too! Puddings again hit the spot I had the cream cheese ice cream with pear purée and meringue with ginger bread crumbs and loved every spoonful well balanced subtle fresh and clean offering so much more than I thought it would. Izzy had the lemon tart which was the best tart either of us had ever tasted light super fine pastry with a lemon filling the was set to perfection. Waiting staff were warm and friendly too. What a lovely meal for Izzys birthday. One of the best meals we've eaten in the UK. If your used to michelin star places this make shock you at first when you walk in as it's an old pub but see past that and you'll see the diamond that is The Sportsman well be back for the tasting menu next time!
The Sportsman was very nice, their best food delicious (shepherd's pie, poached salmon, home made foccacia etc). The interior was unpretentious and entirely pub-like but the service was lovely. The wine was impressive too. Whole thing only came to £100 for two so was great value. We intend to return.
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Best meal I've had in the UK. Well, lumminy, I seriously loved the Sportsman, is vying with Noma now for top spot (and at £55 for the tasting menu, and being an hour away, well...)
The setting is evocative. A whitewashed, fairly normal looking pub out on the marshes. Inside, all floorboards and bare tables (and I loved the fact that as a couple we were sat on a table for 4, with plenty of room for the food, and plenty of room between the tables - they could easily squeeze in more covers and it's all credit to them that they don't) and then hilariously normal pub style toilets...
There were fireworks from the start. Amuses of squares of herring with apple jelly on rye, THE BEST PORK SCRATCHINGS IN THE WORLD which just melted in the mouth, with a dipping sauce of mustardy apple, a generous selection of breads (rosemary and red onion foccaccia, sourdough and treacly soda) withhomemade butter with Seasalter salt, salmon tartare and GORGEOUS pork rillettes.
Starters included oysters done three ways: raw, with apple foam and a square of their own ham (the Sportsman's philosophy seems to be nothing can't be improved with the addition of pork, I concur, heartily); baked, with a sea buckthorn granita (someone's been to Noma); poached with caviar and pickled cucumber. My boyfriend doesn't really 'do' oysters but loved them all.
Then the legendary crab risotto. Perfectly cooked so retaining a bite but in the most velvety of sauces. Essence of crab.
Last of the starters was smoked widgeon with quince, mustard and puy lentils. Three perfectly cooked slices with such an intense flavour - gamier than normal duck. The attention to detail was evident too - for me, the most expertly cooked thing on the plate was the lentils. As with the risotto, they'd nailed the texture.
Then the two mains. A generous hunk of turbot with vin jaune and smoked pork belly (ah, the pig returns!) Faultless. Deep fried lamb belly (lamby crackling, woo!) with mint dipping sauce, braised shoulder and loin in its jus. The loin was seriously the only meh of the meal - just too red and chewy for both of us.
Apple sorbet with popping candy (wowzers), frozen cream cheese with pear, crumble and little bits of meringue, and then the petits fours...by this time I had actually eaten myself asleep and despite being relatively abstemious had to have a triple expresso! But I forced myself to try all the sweeties - chocolate mousse shots (oh yes), tiny custard tarts, apple turnover, chocolate truffles, and shortbread.
OMG. Just. Loved. It. Brilliant staff. So attentive and knowledgeable and had the grace, when they didn't know something, to head off to the kitchen and ask. We had some lovely wines - which are all very reasonably priced, with the majority of bottles in the £20s.
I have already booked my birthday :)
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An unpretentious delight.. Made the foodie pilgrimage to Seasalter yesterday for lunch. The tasting menu is not cheap at £55 but it was worth every penny. We spent nearly four hours meandering our way through some of the best food we had ever tasted.
The afternoon was filled with highlights too numerous to mention here; pork scratchings arrived at the table deliciously warm and served alongside pickled herring on soda bread and what tasted like apple infused mustard. Steamed seabass served with crab on a crab sauce was exquisite, milk fed lamb was some of the most tender meat I have ever eaten and the desserts - particularly the posset - were delightful.
Before it arrived at our table, the thought of the now infamous baked oyster with rhubarb and custard bemused both my girlfriend and I but once we had tasted it, we were swift converts.
My personal highlights were the asparagus tart served with chilled asparagus soup topped with whey. It was absolutely wonderful offering an explosion of flavors. The pastry of the tart was delightfully light and combined well with what tasted like ricotta and maybe onion puree at the bottom. The soup was served with a wooden spoon which was a lovely touch ensuring the taste was unsullied by any cold metallic touches.
It wasn't until about half way through the meal that we noticed there was no salt or pepper on the table. There was no need; everything was seasoned perfectly.
Believe the hype. This is unpretentious, flavour packed food at it's finest. Do yourself a favour and go.
The best restaurant I've eaten in. Really special, worth the trip, combine it with a day in Whitstable, but book in advance or prepare for a disappointment.
Think it is now the only pub restaurant to have a Michelin Star.
I could not fault the food. This was a truly special meal. Superbly cooked food and a delicately crafted menu. Relaxed atmosphere, in fact I went suited and booted but really smart casual was the way to go. The staff were efficient, friendly and appreciative. The only thing missing is a cocktail waiter; I really think this is a must have to push this restaurant to the next level, the food is already top drawer but it was a shame not to be able to get an old fashioned or a Martini before dinner.
Tonight we finally made it to The Sportsman in Seasalter for what has to be the best mid week meal in a long time.
The place was packed and we now know why we had to book months in advance to secure a table for the evening meal.
The only offer a 5 course tasting menu , but a choice from 4 on each course, and at £80, that’s good value for money for a one star.
The highlight for me was their used trout, crab and carrot, and the lemon tart with meringue ice cream.
Our visit was well worth the wait.
This was a special birthday gift from our Grandsons. The food was amazing and portion sizes brilliant for a tasting menu. Staff were attentive but discreet. 👏
The pictures were my selection of oysters, slip sole, duck & almond tart.
We came for Saturday lunch and really enjoyed the food experience at this Michelin star pub. It's 5 courses for £80 and includes snacks and bread, another palate cleanser dessert and some mini macarons at the end. Between the three of us, we all got something different so we could taste more of the dishes. Everything was delicious but the highlights includes the three poached rock oysters, native lobster with potato, tomato and hollandaise, maple cured pork loin and the blackcurrant souffle. Service was relaxed and friendly.
a small and rustic restaurant! the tasting menu is the one to go for, you get a bit of everything and you can’t go wrong with it! of course the menu changes daily as it depends on harvest! you can see the gardens where they grow their own vegetables through the window, which just makes the food taste of much better! would recommend coming for a sunny brunch, as the lighting makes everything better!
Amazing food, the staff was lovely, we really enjoyed the experience, and it was well worth the money. A bit more time between courses would have suited us a bit better, but would love to go again someday.
Best lunch I’ve had in Years!!!
Staff are great.
Food was amazing.
The food is exceptional, as is the service. You don't need me to tell you that (the Michelin star does that). What it doesn't convey is just how friendly everyone is, and how relaxed the overall vibe is. It makes a real difference.
Pretension and stuffiness have no place here. Some of the best food, with understated but diligent service.
It put us at ease and enhanced the experience. 10/10 - would recommend, and will be back.
Thank you.
Amazing! From the moment we walked in the hospitality was perfect and the attention to detail was second to none. The food was impeccable and delicious. Overall, a fantastic experience and without an ounce of pretentiousness.
Been here a few times. The food never disappoints. One Michelin star and great location. Always give yourself some time to walk along the water front.
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