MICHELIN STAR DINING IN MERSEA ISLAND Stark broke the mould of traditional Michelin restaurants – there’s loud music, dark walls, no white table clothes or frills and famously, Chef Ben works alone in the kitchen of the intimate venue, meticulously crafting the frequently changing, seasonal six-course tasting menus. It started life as a tiny sandwich shop on an inconspicuous street in Broadstairs, which Ben and Sophie transformed into a destination dining spot. Their motto is ‘good food, laid bare’ and the new restaurant offers the same pared back decor and skilled flavour combinations using seasonal ingredients, as Ben says: “If it’s not in season, it has no flavour and no right to be on the plate.” Expect £90 set menus featuring two meat dishes, like the duck liver parfait, confit leg, ginger bread, hazelnut and apricot; two fish courses, like mackerel, cucumber dashi, lardo and borage, and two desserts, like the clean and fresh goat’s curd, pistachio sorbet, lemon puree and grape. Guests can accompany this with an optional wine flight for £55 from natural wine aficionados, Les Caves de Pyrène. They are bold and uncompromising in their offering, not catering for allergies or dietary requirements, due to the nature of the set menu, Chef Ben personally preparing all dishes, and to reduce food waste - every diner is served the same menu each evening. To book, visit: www.starkfood.co.uk NEWS Nearlywed All the latest from the region POP + BARK IS BACK Set to get tails wagging, the paws are back in town at luxury property Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate on Sunday 15th September – this time welcoming charming corgis and energetic cocker spaniels for the very first time, as well as cute dachshunds. Set within 110-acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, the large outdoor event welcomes three different breeds at dedicated time slots, along with their human besties, to enjoy a whole host of activities to guarantee a totally paw-some day! Corgi: 11am – 1pm Cocker Spaniel: 1:15pm – 3:15pm Dachshund: 3:30pm – 5:45pm Furry friends can tuck into treats from the exclusive Pupuccino Bar, with fully stocked toppings including fresh fruit, peanut butter sprinkles and dog-friendly choccy drops. Grab your pup snacks from The Doggy Bakery, and choose from pupcakes, doughnuts and cookies, or cool down with a choice of iced desserts from the dedicated dog ice cream van. Pet-owners can opt to grab a bite from three delicious food stations, including BBQ smashed beef patties, a mighty seafood or chicken Spanish paella or authentic Italian stone-baked pizzas, curated by the hotel’s Executive Chef Robert Pearce. Take a seat on the hotel’s impressive, sun-soaked terrace, whilst sipping on creative cocktails from the horsebox bar or find a patch on the picture-perfect manicured lawns in the hotel’s newly renovated formal gardens. The event welcomes corgis, cocker spaniels and dachshunds at allocated time slots, only these breeds will be permitted to enter the festival. Dog lovers attending without their own furry friend are welcome too. Tickets start from £14.75 for adults and £9.75 for children aged 16 or under – food and drink will be charged separately. For those wishing to make a woof-y weekend of it can stay overnight and book a newly refurbished, dog-friendly, Estate Patio Room directly with the hotel, with discounted rates starting from £225 Bed & Breakfast (based on two people sharing, dogs stay free). Just mention your Pop & Bark tickets on the phone or book a room online using the promotional code DH01. Tickets are available to purchase: https://www.downhall.co.uk/ upcoming-events/dachshund-cocker-spaniel-and-corgi-cafe-essex 9 NEWS
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