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Margate
Ambrette
Location: 44 King Street, Margate, CT9 1QE [
map]
Phone: 0844 683 1608
Open: Tues-Sun noon-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10pm
E-mail:
Website: www.theambrette.co.uk
Margate should feel privileged and proud that Dev Biswal (chef profile page 54), who has previously worked in Mumbai, Dubai and London, has chosen this area over and above these previous locations to open Ambrette. For Dev, having access to so much fresh local produce is a great source of delight. With the subtle use of herbs and spices, Dev's masterpieces bring out the most delightful of flavours from the finest produce.
Our welcome from front of house manager, Tobias, and the staff was exemplary. It comes as no surprise to hear that at the prestigious Earl's Court Restaurant Awards of 2010, the team won 'Best Restaurant Front of House Service'. The waiters spend one day a week in the kitchen, learning about the menu in detail; this enables them to knowledgeably describe every dish to diners.
We sipped a chilled pineapple and coconut juice while we perused the extensive menu. For the first course I chose tender breasts of wood pigeon from a local supplier of game. These were chargrilled with ginger and aromatic spices, with a game mince paté and a shallot and coriander raita. My main course - brochettes of leg of Kentish lamb, slow cooked in exotic Kashmiri spices - was accompanied by flavoursome basmati rice. My wife chose from the vegetarian menu, opting for a starter of mushroom and potato samosas served with tamarind chutney, and followed by a thali of vegetarian dishes - she assured me both dishes were excellent. Next we were presented with a palate-cleansing orange granita, with an unusual topping of salt mixed with popping candy which really worked well. To finish I had the fabulous trio of desserts, which gives the diner the opportunity to try three desserts on the menu; my wife had the handcrafted chocolate silk, served with homemade ice cream.
Combining Kentish produce with the culinary traditions of his native India, Dev Biswal has given Margate one of its finest restaurants. All that remains to be said is this: visit the Ambrette and find out for yourself why it has won so many accolades.
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