‘There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as a good tavern or inn.’
So wrote Samuel Johnson and while there is some debate over what actually is Britain’s oldest pub (the contenders are all OLD though… we’re talking Doomsday mentions and 1,000-year-old pasts) there’s no questioning the fact that pubs are a much-loved part of our heritage.
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about one (the Tabard). So did Martin Amis (Black Cross) and even Thomas Hardy too (Buck’s Head Inn).
They are, one could argue, an essential stitches in the fabric of British life.
But what makes a ‘good’ one? You know in your bones when you’ve found one. But how do you quantify it?
This is what I found myself contemplating over lunch at the East Kent.
Because make no mistake, this pub is a good ‘un.
Standing proud in the heart of Whitstable since 1802, the East Kent pub is just a stone’s throw from the fisherman huts, sunny beaches, and independent shops.
It’s warm and inviting. Hanging baskets and planters line the door. The beer garden, complete with a cracking wood-fire kitchen, manages to feel both spacious and intimate. In summertime the striped parasols are cheery and the picnic benches sturdy.
It’s a spot where families are just as welcome as couples on a date night or a gaggle of girls (or guys) celebrating (or commiserating).
My eight-year-old and I stopped by for lunch while on a ‘mummy and Sonny’ weekend.
Sat in the suntrap garden, he happily coloured in the customised print of Whitstable provided, while I sipped a glass of Gusbourne Brut Réserve, menu in hand.
Natalie and Andrew Hennessy have headed up the East Kent since 2008 when they returned from Australia. They swapped life on Bondi Beach for one in Whitstable where Natalie grew up.
Which may explain the fresh and friendly ambience… and a menu that feels as though it has sunshine running through it.
I couldn’t resist tucking into one of their signature starters. Scallops, devilled butter, herb crumb and charred lemon. It was better than I imagined – and the portion more than plentiful.
My pasta-loving lad (I blame the Italian genes from his father’s side) couldn’t get enough of the perfectly al dente linguine. But you’ve got to love a kid’s menu that offers tempura prawns as well a chicken goujons and mini (Aussie!) burgers.
We had a long day of adventures ahead of us, so I’d doubled down with a steak and American mustard sandwich too. Served with gherkins and the crispiest of lettuce – as well as French fries, it was a lunch that got the better of me, in the best kind of way.
Anyone with a little one will know that not having dessert isn’t an option so I ‘shared’ a homemade chocolate brownie with the boy. Which was a big hit.
Both sated, there was a couple of rounds of Uno played before we headed off. But the truth is we could have both happily stayed plotted up for the rest of day. I was incredibly tempted to stay and give a pizza from the woodfire garden kitchen a whirl… but I suppose resisting on this occasion just gives us an excuse to take a trip back soon.
And maybe then I’ll get to the bottom of exactly what makes this pub such a special spot...
theeastkentpub.com/
Don’t miss out…
Lunch for Less
The Lunch for Less menu launched this month and is available Monday – Friday, 12 – 3pm.
Three small bites for £20
Two Large Bites for £25
Wood-Fire Wednesdays
Get two pizzas for £20
This offer is available on all pizzas including the indulgent Choc Banana Pizza for those with a sweet tooth! Every Wednesday from 5pm.