The Smokehouse - Folkestone
So we have been in lockdown now for 3 months and been nowhere. We took it seriously and so started to feel like we had cabin fever. The sun was shining brightly, the lockdown rules had eased a little and we had a few days off of work so decided to get out of the house.
I follow lots of restaurants on Instagram and one of them is Mark Sergeant’s The Smokehouse in Folkestone, which is not too far away from here. It was a school and work day and so we headed off for a relaxing, quiet day by the sea soaking in that wonderful sea smell.
Unfortunately for us a quiet day it was not. Folkestone was RAMMED, the beach so covered in people that there was very little sand to be seen and the thorough fair had so many people that walking without touching somebody would be difficult, social distancing totally impossible. I was shocked at how many people and children there were to be honest. We have not seen friends or family for months.
Thankfully we found a bench slightly higher than the thoroughfare and so for a while sat to enjoy the beautiful views and the fresh sea air before heading off to The Smokehouse for fish and chips.
Online reviews are mixed, people who understand that this is not your average fish and chip shop and love it for the different menu and people who were expecting the run of the mill fish and chips being disappointed with both taste and cost. What would we think?
The restaurant is decorated beautifully, I loved the wooden benches and tables, the colour palate and feel and the huge window overlooking the harbour and sea view. It was still closed to all but take always when we visited so the usual menu was crossed out and replaced with just a small menu.
We bought scampi and chips and battered squid and chips and the tartar sauce. I meant to get the mushy peas but some how these were not remembered! The portions are big and the food was very good. The chips were really tasty and delicious - albeit not the usual chip shop chips as they are cooked in beef fat and so they just are a little different. The scampi was crispy outside with a battered breadcrumb, soft inside and divine. The battered squid was really tender and I knew how much I loved them when I was completely full but could not leave the last few in the box. I really like that they give you lemon too, a squeeze of lemon over the fish really brings it to life.
We can make a pretty mean tartar sauce and much of what you buy does not quite hit the mark in the way our home made tartar sauce does, this however really did, it was delicious. We enjoyed everything very much and if we ever found ourselves back in Folkestone would happily return to try the cod or rock.
It is a little more expensive than the fish shop up the road but not hideously so and the food and service was really good. If you find yourself in Folkestone pay a visit, the food is worth it.