Gastronomic Guide to Thanet

  • Patogh-Ramsgate

    If I said ‘Persian’ what would you think of? Cats? Rugs? Food? I always think of food so it’s no surprise that I was pondering what would be on offer long before I arrived at Patogh. I imagined plate after plate of dried fruits, nuts and sweetmeats. I was mercifully wrong. I would list the names of the dishes we ate but sadly I didn’t write them down, assuming I’d be able to crib them later from their website. That was a mistake we could both learn from. To kick off we had a meze of starters containing meatballs, a Persian version of Russian salad, feta with olives and an aubergine with whey dish (£8.95 for two). These were accompanied by pitta bread. All were good and complimented each other nicely. The bread was a bit of a let down as I’d anticipated something a little more adventurous than pitta. For our main we ordered the selection of grilled meats. This came with some excellent saffron rice topped with a superior sticky sauce that oozed pistachios and orange (£28.00 for two). We didn’t really have room for any dessert but I can’t resist baklava when it’s offered, so I managed to squeeze in a small plateful. The service was spot on. Every dish looked beautiful and you could taste the care and attention that had gone into our food. I’ve no idea how authentic any of it was but by the time the last flake of Baklava crossed my lips I couldn’t have cared one little bit. My only concern, the fact that they also serve an English menu, was quickly eradicated when I spotted two steaks arrive at the adjacent table. The lucky recipients couldn’t praise it highly enough, whilst I gave out a happy sigh of relief. So if somebody says ‘Persian’ to me now all I’ll think is, “When?”

    2 Effingham Street, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9AT, 01843 852 631.

  • Belgian Cafe-Ramsgate

    It would take me 10 minutes to drive to Ramsgate. 60 more to complete embarkation and finally I’d have to pay handsomely to endure 4 hours on choppy waters. Why would I want to do this? I wouldn’t. Instead I jumped on the Loop, graciously handed over £1.40 and had my legs under a Belgian table in a fraction of the time.  As I sat with a glass of Kriek among the hordes of happy Sunday diners I wondered what to do with the 300 minutes, £40 and sick bag that remained unused in my pocket? The time could be, and was, well spent trying more of the 100 or so Belgian beers offered in this remarkable cafe, with mango eventually proving to be the strong favourite in our higgledy-piggledy booth. The money, a quick glance at the intriguing menu suggested, would cover lunch for me and my three companions, so we ordered an assortment of starters from which the pan-fried scallops with chorizo (£6.00) and the squid in polenta flour with aioli (£3.50) won out. Most of us then went for the roasts (chicken, beef, duck, lamb or pork), which were huge, very well cooked and great value (£6.95). As for the bag it could be quickly recycled to carry home the odd roast potato, chicken leg or Yorkshire pud that escaped demolition at lunchtime. The ramshackle setting adds to the whole charming ‘experience’ you have in this Tardis-like venue. Most of the walls herald art for sale of which much, I’d imagine, will remain so for some time. I can’t say that I met a single Belgian in this artist’s grotto but then if the cafes are all this good in Belgium why would you leave? I wouldn’t.

    98 Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8LP, 01843 587925

  • Regency Tandoori-Westgate

    I’ve always loved exploring. As a child my Dad pretending to get lost on a country drive excited more than my Atari ever could. Not knowing what lay ahead made me into an adventurer. Thirty or so years on I still get that same feeling, it’s just harder to find- ironically, now we’ve got GPS. I guess this means that new discoveries have an increased impact on me, and maybe that’s why this week I’m writing about Westgate. How did I miss it? Has it been there long? Have Thanet District Council been hiding it? What a place. I think I may be falling in love: it’s got an independent cinema. A station at its heart, so I can come and go as I please. There’s Angelo’s Deli that bakes fresh bread. I can learn to line dance at the Westgate Pavilion. The people are welcoming and the property represents remarkable value. But more than anything, there’s the Regency Tandoori. It may have taken 6 months of living in Thanet to find a take-away that I truly enjoy, but it was worth the wait. The King Prawn Dhansak, Chicken Pathia, Vegetable Korma, Sag Paneer and Onion Bhajis were some of the best I’ve tasted. The Peshwari naan could have done with being 50% bigger but then I’m a greedy git. The staff were friendly, our food good value and the throng of take-away customers would suggest that most of Westgate’s residents are patrons. I say we quash this conspiracy to keep it to themselves and tell the rest of Thanet about my amazing discovery. Spread word of Regency Tandoori (7th Wonder of Westgate) to everyone that will listen. Be sure to tell them not to pop down on a Saturday though as I’d rather nobody came between me and my new found treasure.

    9 Station Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, CT8 8RB, 01843 831412.

  • Morelli’s-Broadstairs

    Since the early 70’s I’ve been coming to Thanet for days out, weekends and the occasional half term. I caught my first fish, Eric, in Ramsgate harbour. Smiled as my photo was taken with a smelly monkey on Margate promenade and more often than not sat in the sea wearing nothing but my pants and a thick coating of cream. During those 35 years I’ve also enjoyed Morelli’s on a regular basis and have surely devoured just as many flavours. Amazingly though it was only on Saturday afternoon that I finally got round to trying their Mint Choc Chip. I think it’s because my mum bought MCC on a regular basis and as such I was always keen to try something different when given the option. Even this first encounter wasn’t planned as I’d opted for a scoop of Honeycomb and a scoop of Rhubarb and Custard in a tub (£2.60). It was only in an attempt at silencing my friend’s son, who repeatedly told me his was better than mine, that I even put a spoon near it. He was right though. It is one of the finest things I’ve ever tasted, ice cream nirvana even. I can now spend my Sundays gardening or putting up shelves, as men of a certain age should. Great. So if it took me this long to find mine then it’s probably best you start right away and don’t worry they have a good selection even in winter. If, however, you are insane and ice cream isn’t your thing then the coffee is excellent, the teacakes enormous and the 50’s interior alone makes it worth a visit. And please, if you ever find yourself moaning about how good things used to be, then get yourself down to Morelli’s where they still are.

    14 Victoria Parade, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1QS, 01843 862500.

  • Minnis Bar-Minnis Bay

    As I drove happily through Birchington I really had no idea what to expect. That small thrill sped quickly away when the ugly picnic tables, littering the exterior of Minnis Bar, came into view. On arrival I circumnavigated the car park in search of the missing / stolen pay ‘n’ display machine and couldn’t help but contemplate the fate awaiting me? Gulp. Once inside it appeared newly decorated and completely at odds with the outside. Books and covers instantly sprung to mind. It was also very busy for a freezing cold Sunday morning. Impressive. A friendly waitress came over and greeted us with a welcoming smile. Maybe I was wrong.  She then sat us next to the Wall of Chef.  Oh dear. I’ve never seen so many signed photographs of cooks, foodies and other culinary Gods so pointlessly gathered in one place. The Michelin adorned wallpaper must have wept star after star as they endured a relay of employees decant industrial quality jam and marmalade into cheap porcelain. The accompanying toast was great but sadly it had to share a wicker cradle with some frozen butter packs that made us both shudder. The food itself was of average quality and was just about value for money considering the view and the pleasant staff.  Regrettably though I do feel that this youngster will be forever teetering around in Mummy’s heels, no matter how much lippy it applies.

    The Parade, Minnis Bay, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9QP, 01843 841844.